Monogram Foods

Rounding out our chef spotlights is Chef MIchael Francis, owner of Hear & Soul Catering! Chef Michael Francis draws inspiration from his mother and grandmother's Southern cooking, along with watching Julia Child on PBS. A graduate of Florida Culinary Institute, he's worked in restaurants, R&D, and as a chocolatier. He loves fusing global cuisines—like Japanese, Caribbean, and French—with Southern flavors to create exciting, memorable dishes. For over 15 years, Heart & Soul Catering has specialized in delivering custom, gourmet menus for unforgettable events in the Memphis area and beyond. --- 'It's not too late to get your tickets to join us and Chef Michael Francis Thursday evening at the 2024 'Meat' Me in Memphis Gala! Get your tickets here: 2024MMIM.givesmart.com

We have another returning favorite for the 2024 'Meat' Me in Memphis Gala: Chef Jimmy Gentry of Paradox Catering & Consulting LLC! Formally trained at Johnson & Wales, Chef Jimmy Gentry started his culinary journey in Memphis, earning acclaim as Executive Chef at Erling Jensen with multiple "Best Restaurant" awards and a James Beard House appearance. He later founded Paradox Catering, now the largest boutique catering company in the Mid-South, known for upscale events and innovative pop-ups like Paradox Underground. He also launched P.O. Press Public House, celebrated for its fresh, locally sourced cuisine. Gentry’s passion for culinary artistry keeps him at the forefront of Memphis’s dynamic food scene! --- We invite you to join us and Chef Jimmy Gentry THIS THURSDAY evening at the 2024 'Meat' Me in Memphis Gala! Get your tickets here: 2024MMIM.givesmart.com

Joining us for another year at the 'Meat' Me in Memphis Gala is fan-favorite Chef Jonathan Mah of SideStreet Burgers! Chef Jon has been in the kitchen for most of his life. Before he could drive, he was working the grill in his father's steakhouse and before he graduated high school, he was earning his chops in Memphis’s top-tier fine dining establishments. In college Chef Jon majored in hotel and restaurant management at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and would go on to work for Chateau Elan Winery and Resort in Georgia. Afterwards, Chef Jon spent some time in the corporate world as general manager of a Chili's in North Georgia. In 2011 he returned to Memphis to serve as Executive Sous Chef at Alchemy in Cooper Young before opening his own restaurant in Olive Branch Mississippi. It’s now been over 12 years that Chef Jon has been dishing out some of the best burgers in the mid-south while accumulating a multitude of Best burger awards and consecutive Best of Desoto County accolades! He is a staple in Olive Branch and continues to attract customers from all around the country! --- Please join us and Chef Jon next Thursday evening at the Renasant Center for the 2024 'Meat' Me in Memphis Gala! Get your tickets here: 2024MMIM.givesmart.com

We are 1 WEEK AWAY from our best gala yet!! We invite you to join us for an evening of delicious food prepared by Memphis' most elite chefs, the best live and silent auctions in the south, and entertainment by Sound Fuzion, all set against the stunning view of the Memphis Bridge! Get your tickets here: 2024MMIM.givesmart.com

We are delighted to welcome back Chef Erling Jensen, a long-time friend of Monogram Foods and the Monogram Loves Kids Foundation, to the 2024 'Meat' Me in Memphis gala. Chef Erling Jensen was born in Frederikshavn, Denmark and started cooking at 14. He completed his culinary training in Denmark then moved to the U.S. He was the chef in restaurants in Washington D.C. and Florida before settling in Memphis. In 1989 Erling applied to be Chef at La Tourelle, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was hired over the telephone! During his tenure there, the restaurant received its highest culinary ratings. In 1996 Jensen opened Erling Jensen The Restaurant in East Memphis. He has received several awards, been featured in several articles, and has been invited and cooked twice at the James Beard House in NYC. He has been recognized as “Best Chef in Memphis”. We are honored to have him once again showcase his exceptional talent at this year’s event! --- Join us and Chef Erling Jensen at the 2024 'Meat' Me in Memphis Gala! Get your tickets here: 2024MMIM.givesmart.com

It just doesn't get any more MEMPHIS than Tops BBQ which is why we are honored to add them to our line up of elite chefs for the 2024 'Meat' Me in Memphis Gala. Tops BBQ has been a Memphis staple since 1952. Over the decades, Tops has expanded from a single location to multiple spots across the Mid-South, cementing its place in the city’s rich barbecue culture. Its impact on Memphis extends beyond food—Tops BBQ has become a symbol of the city’s dedication to tradition, flavor, and community, consistently ranked among the best BBQ joints in the region. --- We invite you to join us and Tops BBQ at the 2024 'Meat' Me in Memphis Gala! Get your tickets here: 2024MMIM.givesmart.com

Our hearts go out to all of those impacted by Hurricane Helene which is now predicted to be one of the deadliest and most damaging storms in the past 50 years. In alignment with our role in the food industry, Monogram Foods plans to help fight food insecurity in the impacted areas by giving to the Hurricane Helene assistance fund at Feeding America. We are also donating some of our food products directly to relief efforts; this gift is in honor of all of our employees. Our thoughts are with these victims during the challenging times ahead. Click here to learn more about how you can help: https://lnkd.in/gpUh2yEQ

We are thrilled to welcome back Chef Kimberly Bolan and Chef Kurt Kaiser, founders of Flipside Asia, for another delicious year at the 'Meat' Me in Memphis Gala! Flipside Asia was created by Chef Kimberly and Chef Kurt to bring the authentic flavors they fell in love with while living in Asia back home. Learning from Thai, Filipino, and Indian friends, they mastered traditional dishes like curries, adobos, and stir-fries. After launching a catering company, it quickly grew into a food truck known for fresh, healthy meals with vegetarian and vegan options. Flipside Asia is proud to join Monogram Foods' Meat Me in Memphis event for the fourth time, supporting the community. ---- Please join us and Flipside Asia at the annual 'Meat' Me in Memphis Gala coming up on October 24! Get your tickets here: 2024MMIM.givesmart.com

We are excited to welcome new talent to our chef lineup this year: Chef Thomas Gagliardi of The RK Group! A student of the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park and former hotel, resort and country club executive chef, Chef Gagliardi’s resume includes top positions such as: The Main Kitchen Executive Chef at The Bellagio Rasort Hotel and Casino Las Vegas; pre-opening consultant and Executive Chef at The Bonnington Hotel in Dubai; and the dual role as Executive Chef/Food and Beverage Director at The Chelsea, Atlantic City. He has served as the Executive Chef for The RK Group, LLC at the Facility since 2013, bringing to his role a wealth of hospitality catering and culinary experience and strong leadership skills. ----- We invite you to join us and Chef Thomas at the 2024 'Meat' Me in Memphis gala this year on October 24th! Get your tickets here: 2024MMIM.givesmart.com

The Corndog capital of the world, Bristol, IN, held the 3rd annual Corndog Festival this past Saturday. It was a day full of entertainment, all things Monogram, and of course… CORNDOGS! A group from the Memphis Support Center accompanied our CEO, Karl Schledwitz, to Bristol and joined in the fun. An estimated 10,000 people found their way to the temporarily named ‘Corn Dog Park’ for the day's festivities. Kudos to the Monogram Comfort Foods - Bristol, IN plant and all who worked to make 2024 another banner year for the famed Corndog Festival!