If you haven’t heard about the dinner series at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, what have you been doing? The Legacy at the Table is a three-part celebration of Brooks’ former neighbor, the Memphis College of Art (MCA). May and June are already in the books, but their third and final showcase, orchestrated by Chef Karen Carrier, will take place on September 23rd. MCA graduate Karen Carrier was among the many artists there who went on to do great things, but few could host a dinner party like her.
Carrier moved from Memphis to New York City for graduate school and needed to find work while taking classes. That’s where her passion for cooking really took off. During the many restaurant jobs she worked, she eventually met a dear friend who would soon become her business partner. They opened up restaurants together for years until life pulled them away from the Big Apple.
During Carrier’s education at MCA, she studied under the great Dorothy Sturm, one of the original professors at the school and a nationally recognized artist. The Brooks team and Carrier decided to honor her at the first dinner with a heartfelt speech and a menu that reflected everything Carrier learned from her, from composition to color.
Artful dishes with vibrant flavors were served at June’s event. (Photos: Gracie Driver)
The second meal, which I had the honor of attending, focused on the school’s history in the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s. Sadly, the designated guest speaker was unable to attend, but Brooks’ ongoing exhibit, “Memphis College of Art, 1936-2020: An Enduring Legacy,” did a great job of showcasing art and history during the hour leading up to eating. We were able to explore the museum, drink champagne, and chat with fellow attendees. At the September dinner, an early guided tour before the main guests arrive is available for those with VIP tickets.
At the June event, whimsical tablescapes were adorned with arrangements made from a mixture of fruit and flowers. Menus were made to look like the blueprints of the MCA building, Rust Hall, and waiters gracefully moved through crowds in stylish hats and custom outfits, courtesy of Chef Carrier’s wardrobe.
Family-style plating is intentionally designed by Carrier to nurture a community environment. She says, “People get to know each other by passing around the food and telling stories.” I ended up making a friend of my own while there and can attest to its effectiveness.
A fruity arugula salad with nectarines, pomegranate, and candied citrus arrived first. The salty Manchego cheese, almonds, and high-quality olive oil rounded out the beginning of the meal. The first main course consisted of pork tenderloin, heavily flavored with fennel, tropical papaya, and peach puree, along with avocado, cilantro, queso fresco, and shoestring fries. The star of the show was their cold-smoked salmon, cooked to perfection. The punchy mustard glaze and citrus gremolata cut through the buttery fish, and toasted pine nuts added a bit of crunch. The crazy collection of flavors and influences, with all sorts of colorful sides, reflected Carrier’s own eclectic career. The evening finished with a comforting peach cobbler à la mode.
Legacy at the Table reflects decades of artistic expression that have forever shaped our city. If you’re looking for a unique dining experience in Memphis, I can’t think of anything more fleeting and beautiful to attend. As most know, the Brooks Museum is moving Downtown in September, so dining in its original building in the heart of Overton Park will never happen again.
