Thursday, February 2, 2012
Restaurant News MBJ Suspends Best Chef in Memphis Contest
Posted by Susan Ellis on Thu, Feb 2, 2012 at 6:36 PM
The Memphis Business Journal has suspended its Best Chef in Memphis contest just one day after it was launched.
The move came after restaurateurs and chefs included in the contest complained about the contest's format, which pitted chef against chef in a bracket, with the winner to be determined by an online vote.
MBJ made the announcement Thursday in a post on the paper's site, explaining, "We looked at the contest as a way to engage more local readers while highlighting the spectacular culinary scene we have in Memphis (which we plainly stated in the launch). We never intended to disparage or upset the chefs; we thought, quite honestly, it would be a fun, tongue-in-cheek way to incite a friendly competition."
According to the story, the MBJ reached out to the chefs prior to the contest. The story also states, "Published reports of us encouraging smack talk are patently false."
On Wednesday afternoon, the Flyer received a copy of the letter signed by chefs and restaurateurs that was sent to MBJ about the Best Chef in Memphis contest. It read, in part, "We feel we will have to respect[fully] decline your offer to participate in the MBJ's Best Chef in Memphis Competition as it is currently structured. It just does not reflect the way in which we choose to do business and support each other."
A restaurateur, whose chef was included in the bracket, told the Flyer on Wednesday that a MBJ representative suggested that restaurants use social media to "smack talk" the competition.
The MBJ story concludes, "Ultimately Memphis is fortunate to have such a close-knit community of chefs, and although we’re puzzled by the response, we also tip our hat to the camaraderie. That’s quite a lobby."
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Comments (4)
Showing 1-4 of 4
What's obvious is the attempt to be a "me too" knock off of the culinary shows with the underlying effort to sell papers by the chaos yer wraslting show created. Could there be a more sinister motive like collecting email addresses for marketing & selling contact information ? You thought this disguised effort would fool our area chefs. When you sling out a "bluff" you need to be prepared to have your "bluff" called and yours was. Touche' to our chefs ! The circus thrill you're seeking is right under your nose downtown, why not start with the ring master mayor, ac (another con) wharton & his clowns ? You will find the vile entertainment that motivates you. No one buys that candy coated response.
"Smack talk"......it figures.
From a life long industry professional
Bruce Barnett
BarnettUSA
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Bruce, first of all what "bluff" are you talking about?
You don't really make sense and then you go on an untimely political tirade at the end of your post. It sounds like you didn't read the follow up article or you have very poor reading comprehension skills.
I don't think the poll was to sell papers since it was an on-line only poll -- it sound like it was made to bolster internet traffic with something that entertained people and how could there be a more sinister motive of collecting email addresses for marketing when you don't have to sign up to vote (or at least I didn't). You are truly devoid of logic and I hope for the sake of your business you aren't this obtuse all the time
It was a readers poll that looks like it could have been fun that the "chefs" turned ugly.
This is stupid. I know what this group of chefs thinks they are protesting, but I still don't know why they are so adamant about it.
It was a contest to draw attention to the chefs who do great work in this city and they made it about something else. What a bunch of idiots.
First and foremost, if you actually THINK there are truly outstanding restaurants and chefs in this city, you must have burnt tastebuds from eating too much Memphis greasy BBQ, cheap Chinese, bad Mexican and Huey's friggen hamburgers..
Memphis is NOT a talented food destination by any means...gee I've had better food in places even like SouthSide of Birmingham, Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills, for godssake and that's not saying a bunch either..
Nashville has better...Atlanta....Charlotte...Austin.... St. louis...Tampa ...
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