Tips ,
December 2015 Volume 26 • Number 7
The Memphis Restaurant Association Newsletter
Message from the PRESIDENT
HUGE VICTORY for TnHTA
Greetings Fellow MRA members, I hope the Season finds you well. Hard to believe that Thanksgiving has just passed and the holidays are upon us, and now for many of us the mad dash to year’s end begins. It can be challenging during the Holidays not to be overwhelmed by the obligations we have to the business, family, and friends. The stress of it all can rob of us of truly enjoying it like we should. I hope that each of you gets the opportunity to catch your breath and offer up some thankful thoughts. I stumbled across this article in Forbes extolling the benefits of an “attitude of gratitude”, that I thought was appropriate and helpful. People that are thankful experience fewer aches and pains, and enjoy better physical health overall. Grateful people enjoy better psychological health. They are less likely to hold on to toxic emotions that burden us and less likely to experience depression. Gratefulness increases our empathy for others and makes us kinder in our interactions. We sleep better and have better selfesteem. Lastly, we have increased mental clarity and capacity. Amazing that such a simple gesture could be so impactful. With that in mind I want to be sure and express my thankfulness to the following folks that add joy to my life. A big thank you to Kimberly Carlson for all the unseen, often over looked things you do to keep my act together. Thanks to my fellow board members. You challenge me (in a good way) with the example that you set as restauranteurs and leaders in the community. Finally, to the entire Memphis Restaurant Association, it’s an honor to serve you and represent you in the community. May we all be truly thankful for our many blessings. Sincerely,
Anthony House Chick-fil-A of Germantown 00981@chick-fil-a.com 901-230-7752
MISSION STATEMENT: The Memphis Restaurant Association (MRA) is the premiere support organization dedicated to the success of our industry and community now and into the future. We provide useful, accessible tools, educational services and governmental representation to promote the stability and growth of our members. The MRA is dedicated to building community relationships and involvement in order to increase membership and create a spirit of fellowship among its members.
The TN Attorney General (AG) has ruled recently that short-term rentals are required to pay both sales and lodging taxes. This is a huge victory for TnHTA to level the play field for the tourism and lodging industry as it relates to short-term rentals. Thanks to our lobbying team (specifically Dan Haskell) and Rep. Dale Carr from Sevier County for working on this very important issue for our industry. In the past decade, the internet has transformed the way we buy and sell goods and services, resulting in an explosion of new businesses. It is now extremely easy for an individual to advertise and rent a property such as a condo, cabin, house, or even a room for short periods of time. Since these short-term rentals are fundamentally no different than regular lodging properties, it is only fair that those who make a profit from on-line or advertised short term rentals by owner should pay all applicable local and state sales and lodging taxes. We are excited that the AG has opined that short-term rentals are legally subject to both sales and lodging taxes. In some counties, the amount of tax lost is significant - Since Davidson County began to enforce the collection of the tax it is estimated that over $1.2 million in just lodging taxes will be collected in 2016 on short-term rentals. Our lobbying team will work with our tourism partners and the local governments to make sure they follow through with enforcement of the lodging tax and the TN Department of Revenue on the sales tax collection enforcement. Greg Adkins, President & CEO Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association (TnHTA)
NOP SAVE THE DATE MRA 52nd Annual Banquet Sunday February 28, 2016 at
Hilton Memphis
NOP
Serving Memphis in cooperation with The Memphis Memphis Association area restaurant workers this Restaurant are proud to offer $0flu fluseason. shots toWe can schedule a Pharmacist to provide $0 season. Seasonal Memphis area restaurant workers this flu WeFlu canShots at your location to all to employees who wish to or you schedule a Pharmacist provide $0 Seasonal Fluparticipate Shots at maylocation also send your employees to any Walgreens your to all employees who wish to local participate or youto may also send your employees to need any local to stub from receive $0 Flu Shot! All they is aWalgreens recent pay receive $0 Flu Shot! they is of a recent pay stub from the restaurant to All serve asneed proof employment. the restaurant to serve as proof of employment.
FREE Flu Shots! When you get a flu, or any other immunization at Walgreens,
When you get a flu, or any other immunization at Walgreens, you could help save a life. Together with the United Nations you could help save a life. Together with the United Nations Foundation's Shot@Life campaign, we're helping to provide Foundation's Shot@Life campaign, we're helping to provide lifesaving vaccines to children in a developing country. lifesaving vaccines to children in a developing country. Get a Get a Shot Give a Shot. Shot Give a Shot.
It’s never been easier for Memphis area restaurant workers to be
Serving Memphis in cooperation with The Memphis Restaurant Association are proud to offer $0 flu shots to Memphis area restaurant workers this flu season. We can schedule a Pharmacist to provide $0 Seasonal Flu Shots at your location to all employees who wish to participate or you may also send your employees to any local Walgreens to receive $0 Flu Shot! All they need is a recent pay stub from the restaurant to serve as proof of employment.
For more information or to arrange flu shots at your restaurant, please contact Mandi Pack at 682-2136 (store), 378-4127(cell) or Amanda.m.pack@walgreens.com. 1,000 shots are available between now and Mid-March 2016. Free available theMemphis first 1,000 resIt’sShots neverare been easierto for taurant area employees to respond. And when you restaurant workers to be get a shot, Walgreens in partnership with the United Nations will also give a shot to a child in a developing country.
When you get a flu, or any other immunization at Walgreens, you could help save a life. Together with the United Nations Foundation's Shot@Life campaign, we're helping to provide lifesaving vaccines to children in a developing country. Get a Shot Give a Shot.
Serving Memphis in cooperation with The Memphis Restaurant Association are proud to offer $0 flu shots to Memphis area restaurant workers this flu season. We can schedule a Pharmacist to provide $0 Seasonal Flu Shots at your location to all employees who wish to participate or you may also send your employees to any local Walgreens to receive $0 Flu Shot! All they need is a recent pay stub from the restaurant to serve as proof of employment. When you get a flu, or any other immunization at Walgreens, you could help save a life. Together with the United Nations Foundation's Shot@Life campaign, we're helping to provide lifesaving vaccines to children in a developing country. Get a Shot Give a Shot.
Historic Site for Restaurant Available
Historic restaurant space coming available on the Collierville Town Square. The old McGinnis Gas Station on the Square’s east side, is planned to be converted into a 4000 sf restaurant space with a 1000 sf rooftop. An exciting opportunity for any restaurateur looking for a dynamic venue. CLICK HERE for Concept Plans. For more information, please contact: John D. Duncan Director of Economic Development 901-457-2213 Direct 901-457-9325 Cell jduncan@ci.collierville.tn.us www.AccessCollierville.com
Shelby County Schools have many Culinary Arts programs that have adopted the ProStart Curriculum, but they need our help to get them to competition. Other areas of the state have vast community support from businesses and foundations, and they continue to dominate the state competition from year to year. Memphis would like to compete on equal footing., but they need our help. Please review their wish list below and let us know how you can STEP UP! Over $600,000 in scholarship funds are available to teams who compete. Help us cultivate and retain this invaluable talent for our industry.
Contact Kimberly Carlson, Kimberly@memphisrestaurants.com, if you are interested in any of the following opportunities to support ProStart in Memphis.
1.) Seeking Mentors to immediately begin working with schools planning to compete in February 2016. Goal is (4)
2.) Seeking Purveyors interested in helping donate items to stock a common commissary for teachers to pull basic items from. Proposed “Cold” commissary is Southwind and “Dry” is East High .
3.) Competing Teams need Uniforms. Sponsorship branding available. 4.) Competing Teams need assistance securing Transportation and Lodging to state competition on February 27, 2016.
5.) Seeking Volunteers and Judges to help organize local mock Competition to practice for finals or for state finals.
6.) Need donations of Equipment, Knife Sets & basic Culinary Items. 7.) Need hands on Practice & Training Opportunities. If you can assist with a field trip or onsite demonstration opportunity, please advise.
MRA’s 8th Annual
Thomas Boggs Memorial Golf Tournament The Eigth Annual Thomas Boggs Memorial Golf Tournament Thomas Boggs was held Wednesday, October 21st at the Mirimichi Golf Course in Millington. Well over a hundred industry associates & supporters could not have asked for better weather as they got together for friendly competition and fundraising. The annual golf tournament was a favorite event of departed friend and civic leader, Thomas Boggs. The MRA is proud to honor him at each years’ competition.
Check In -
Participants started the morning off with killer Tito’s Vodka Bloody Mary’s courtesy of West TN Crown Distributing Co. and pipin’ hot Chicken n’ Biscuits courtesy of Chick-fil-A Germantown.
Chicken n’ Biscuits courtesy of Chick-fil-A Germantown
TrackMan™ Closest to the Pin Contest courtesy of GEM Restaurant Supply
Carts at the Ready
A little practice...
Kimberly Carlson and Michelle Harris, The Peabody posing in front of the MRA Banneropening screen in all the days golf carts!
Before the field left for their starting holes, they took a swing at this year’s TrackMan™ Closest to the Pin Contest courtesy of GEM Restaurant Supply and drew their first card in the PAR 3 Poker Contest courtesy of AmeriPride. Each contest offered a $500 flat screen HDTV to the winners. Ghost River Brewing kept things fun with a chance to win $5,000 cash at the putting contest while AmeriPride, Minglewood Hall, Everything But the Food POS and US Foods provided great food and hospitality stations throughout the course.
Chef Shannon “Smitty” Smith from The Majestic Grille
On the patio, Bacardi Tangerine courtesy of Athens Distributing and 901 Tequila Mirimichis courtesy of West TN Crown sweetened the turn while Chef Shannon “Smitty” Smith from The Majestic Grille filled the air with the delicious aroma of burgers and Galler Food’s heirloom brats sizzling on the gridiron.
What a View!
Brats & Burgers
Teams gathered on the patio as they finished play. A delicious Mexican Fiesta Fajita Bar, hand rolled cigars and an ice luge courtesy of Bacardi’s own Brent Rodriguez awaited players as the after-party continued and the contest results were announced. The day also boasted ice cold beverages thanks to Eagle Distributing, A.S. Barboro, Pepsico Foodservice and Coca-Cola Refreshments, a generous prize offering, and the support of a great Mirimichi staff. Costs were kept low thanks to the support of our generous sponsors with special thanks to Heartland Payment Systems, our event sponsor. The MRA uses the money raised from the tournament and other fundraisers to provide contributions to various charities and community programs throughout the year.
Almost the Olympics - Ice Luge!
Susan Medina listens as “coach” Brent Rodriguez gives Ice Luge instructions.
Team Work! Pepsico Foodservice
Lafayette’s Music Room
Athens Distributing
MMHLA
The Majestic Grille
Auto-Chlor #1
Eagle Distributing
Huey’s
Galler Foods
AmeriPride Services #1 2015 Event Sponsor
2015 Par3 Poker Contest
Ben E. Keith
Kooky Canuck
2015 TrackMan™ Closest to the Pin Contest
2015 Putting Contest
2015 Hospitality Station Sponsors
1st Tee of Memphis, TnHTA & Shelby County Health Dept.
AmeriPride Services #2 2015 Lunch Sponsors
Off the Dock Seafood
Patrick’s & Heritage
Top Prize Winners Championship Flight- 1st Place
Door Prizes!
Closest to the pin #8 – Bhan Thai (-19) 1. Aaron Quetermous 2. Rob Coffey 3. Taylor Pfohl 4. Jonathan Fly Championship Flight- 2nd Place Galler Foods Inc. (-15) 1. Rob Downey 2. Cullen Kent 3. Brian Reeb 4. Brad Selig Championship Flight- 3rd Place Pepsico Foodservice (-14) 1. Fred Jones 2. Marty Hall 3. Jay Kupiszewski 4. Alex Kupiszewski First Place Flight - 1st Place Athens Distributing (-9) 1. Jordan Tidwell 2. Jessica Clark 3. Ford Coleman 4. Mark Youngblood First Place Flight -2nd Place Eagle Distributing (-8) 1. Anthony Jones 2. Trey DeHart 3. Kendall Robertson 4. Kris Robertson
John Heathcott (AmeriPride #1) Closest to the pin #11 –
Kenny Morehead (AmeriPride #1) Closest to the pin #13 – Mike Coleman (US Foods) Longest Drive #18 –
First P lace Flight - 3rd Place Off the Dock (-8) 1. John Haley 2. Joey Winburn 3. Fallon Maness 4. Shea Drummond Closest to the pin # 3 – Shea Drummond (Off the Dock)
The gang from AmeriPride present a 50 inch LED HDTV to Par3 Poker Contest Winner, Shea Drummond (Off the Dock)
Caitlin McDonald (LaFayette’s Music Room)
Celebrating MRA Style
2015 In Kind Sponsors A.S. Barboro Athens Distributors Eagle Distributing Café Ole Chick-Fil-A Germantown Coca-Cola Refreshments Ghost River Brewing Co. Hog Wild BBQ & A Moveable Feast Catering PepsiCo Foodservice The Majestic Grille West TN Crown Distributing Company
A Very Special Thanks To….. 2015 MRATournament Event Sponsor: Heartland Payment Systems Mirimichi Golf Club, especially: Steve Conley, Ed Parramore & the fabulous Mirimichi Staff 2015 MRA Tournament Chairs: Kate Pera, Patrick Reilly & Michelle Harris
Fajita Bar & Fun
2015 Hole Sponsors 1st Tee of Memphis Acosta Sales & Marketing A.S. Barboro AmeriPride Athens Distributors Auto-Chlor Bacardi Tangerine Brundige Payne & Company, PC Eagle Distributing C. Robert Brown CLU, UCL Financial Group, LLC Café Ole Chick-fil-A Coca-Cola Delta Wholesale Everything But The Food, POS & Restaurant Services FIVE GUYS Galler Foods Inc GEM Restaurant Supply Ghost River Brewing Heartland Payment Systems Hog Wild Catering Hospitality Control Solutions-Aloha Radiant Jubilee Restaurant Group The Majestic Grille MCVB Memphis Ice Machine MMHLA Molly’s La Casita (Sweethearts Lucky #13) Off the Dock Seafood PepsiCo Foodservice Serving MemphisJay Uiberall Legacy Fund SERVPRO Star Distributors State Systems SYSCO Tito’s Handmade Vodka TravelHost of Greater Memphis US Foods West TN Crown Distributing Co.
Special Thanks to Grill Masters: Chef Shannon “Smitty” Smith- The Majestic Grille Grill Team- AmeriPride Volunteers: Kate PeraAutomatic Slims & Café Ole Maury WadePerformance Foodservice Charlie Pittard- Page, Chaffin & Riggins Insurance Samantha Boggs Dean- Huey’s Mary Schmitz- MCVB Anthony House- Chick-fil-A David Carlson- Southland Roofing LLC Michelle Harris- The Peabody Photographer: Susan Medina
Julie Pavlovic, DarPro & Mid-South Payments, and Brian Edwards, Everything But The Food POS
Past MRA President, Patrick Reilly with son, Seamus.
2015 Prize & Goody Bag Sponsors 1st Tee of Memphis A.S. Barboro AmeriPride Athens Distributors Automatic Slims Café Ole Chef Shuttle Chick-Fil-A Germantown Commercial Appeal DarPro Delta Wholesale Doubletree Downtown Memphis Eagle Distributing Farmer Brothers Coffee Flying Saucer Folk’s Folly Hampton Inn Beale Street Hilton Hog Wild BBQ Holiday Deli & Ham Co. Holiday Inn Select Downtown Holiday Inn U of M Huey’s Kooky Canuck LaFayette’s Music Room Lucchesi’s The Majestic Grille MCVB Mid-South Payments Mirimichi The Peabody Star Distributors State Systems Susan Medina West TN Crown Distributing
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Interested in this Space? contact: kimberly@memphisrestaurants.com
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Marty Hall On-Premise Sales Representative West Tennessee - Restaurants
671 S. Rowlett West Collierville, TN 38017 Phone 901.853.5704 • Fax 901.853.5728 • Repair 866.287.3774 dwayne.hall@pepsiamericas.com
Maximize your profitability …
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with Heartland Payment Systems® — the National Restaurant Association and Tennessee Hospitality Association’s exclusively endorsed provider of card processing, gift marketing and payroll and tip management services. For more information, contact Ginger Rogers DeMaris, at Ginger.DeMaris@e-hps.com, 501-278-6928 cell
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Tips
Important Numbers At a Glance
The
Memphis Restaurant Association
Newsletter
The 2015 MRA Board of Directors
“Our Members Hotline to the Association”
President............................................................ Anthony House, Chick-fil-A 901-752-3966, 230-7752, 00981@chick-fil-a.com Vice-President.............................................. Eric Vernon, The Bar-B-Q Shop 901-272-3466, 647-6146, evernon001@gmail.com Treasurer......................................................Samantha Boggs Dean, Huey’s 901-726-9693, 652-1324, sdean@hueys.cc Secretary................................................ Kate Pera, Catering for U, Alfred’s, Automatic Slims, Café Ole 901-528-1748, 488-2837, kate@cateringforu.com Sergeant-at-Arms.....................................Jerry Wilson, Fino’s from the Hill 901-272-3466, 647-6146, jerrywilsonjr@yahoo.com Past President Ex Officio.........................Patrick Reilly, The Majestic Grille 901-522-8555, 219-5630, patrick@majesticgrille.com
2015 Elected Restaurant Officers Michelle Harris, The Peabody................................. 901-529-4124, 305-509-1604 michelle.harris@peabodymemphis.com Ernie Mellor, Hog Wild Real Memphis BBQ & A Moveable Feast Catering............................................. 901-522-9453, 409-3038
pitmaster@hogwildbbq.com
2015 Appointed Officers Restaurant Members Fayaz Abdul, Genghis Grill......................214-335-8343, fabdul@genghisgrill.com Trey Jordan, Holiday Deli & Ham Co............................. 901-755-8103, 581-8739
tjordan@jordanco.cc J.D. Sledd, Chiwawa............ 901-207-1456, 848-4099, jd@chiwawamidtown.com
Associate Members Hale Barclay GEM Restaurant Supply........................... 901-744-7005, 490-2395 Hale@GemRestaurantSupply.com Louis Costabile, SYSCO Memphis, LLC........................ 901-369-9287, 849-4047 costabile.louis@mem.sysco.com John Seay, State Systems, Inc....................................... 901-542-0612, 489-0421 jseay@statesystemsinc.com Robert Dean, West TN Crown Distributing.................... 901-794-5540, 355-7961
rdean@wtncrown.com
Jimmy Kiser, U. S. Foods......................................... 901-367-3233, 270-366-9459
jimmy.kiser@usfoods.com
Hotel/Lodging Representative: Shawn Danko Metropolitan Memphis Hotel & Lodging Assoc............................................................................... 901-292-5838
swdanko@comcast.net
Tourism: Mary Schmitz, Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau....... 901-543-5327, 496-2799
3R Project (Division of Corrections/ reentry program) John H. Freeman.................901-545-3175,596-8846(cell) John.Freeman@shelbycountytn.gov Project MOST Patricia Melton.............................................901-222-8868 patricia.melton@shelbycountytn.gov Commercial Appeal Jennifer Biggs, Food Editor...................... 901-529-5223 biggs@commercialappeal.com Federal Probation Re-entry Program Gloria Simpson.......................................901-495-1460 gloria_simpson@tnwd.uscourts.gov Greater Memphis Chamber Amy Daniels......................901-543-3523/569-4796(cell) adaniels@memphischamber.com Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau Mary Schmitz, Tourist Information Link ...... 901-543-5327 mary@mcvb.org Memphis Flyer Hannah Sayle.......................................... 901-626-3489 sayle@contemporarymedia.com Memphis Magazine Marilyn Sadler.......................................... 901-575.9451 sadler@memphismagazine.com Memphis Light Gas & Water 24 Hour Outage Number: .......................... 901-544-6500 (after business hours) 24 Hour Emergency Number: ............................901-528-4465 (Call for burst water pipes, gas leaks, power line down) Commercial Resource Center: ................. 901-528-4270 (outage information during regular business hours, 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)...................................crc@mlgw.org Residential & Commercial Electric Outage Reporting (reports status of current outages)............... 901-544-6500 Levon Atkin’s Direct Line .............................. 901-528-4261 (Use this number during business hours for suggestions and tips on how to best utilize your energy sources.) latkins@mlgw.org Memphis & Shelby County Code Enforcement Ask for a Building Plans Examiner............... 901-379-4270 Memphis & Shelby County Health Department Kasia Smith-Alexander..........901-222-9193 or 508-3214(cell)
Kasia.Alexander@shelbycountytn.gov
National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)
Jim Brown..................................615-874-5288, 615-337-5507 jim.brown@nfib.org
Project Green Fork Margot McNeeley...................................... .901-292-1700 ServSafe Professional Food Safety Consultants Chef Malcolm Walker.................................901-644-0485 Chefmalcolm62@gmail.com TIPS Alcohol Server Training Certification Richard Zurburg.........................................8901-61-2535 rzurburg@comcast.net Top Shelf/TABCTraining Ken Hall.....................................................901-452-8033 ken@civicengage.com TIPS/TABC Certification Sharon Sumrall............ 901-737-6755 or 569-1207 (cell) ssumrall1955@bellsouth.net Tennessee Hospitality Association Melissa McIntyre. ......................................615-385-9970 melissa@tnhospitality.net
maryschmitz@memphistravel.com
Executive Director: Kimberly Carlson................ 901-488-4745, 1-888-836-5061 kimberly@memphisrestaurants.com
P.O. Box 770027 Memphis, Tennessee 38177 901/788-1000 • FAX 1-888-836-5061 http:// www.memphisrestaurants.com E-mail address: dining@memphisrestaurants.com
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