Memphis has never lacked flavor. But now, it’s getting a space built entirely for culinary creativity, storytelling, and experimentation. Say hello to The Artist Table, a brand-new chef residency concept and event venue on South Main in Downtown Memphis that’s redefining what it means to cook, eat, and build community in the 901.
We toured the space with founder Daishu McGriff AKA The Mushroom Queen, and trust us: there is nothing in Memphis quite like this.
So…What Is The Artist Table?
It isn’t a restaurant.
It isn’t a pop-up.
It’s a vegan, intentionally designed creative kitchen where chefs take over the space for three-month residencies to host themed dinners, artistic menus, and one-of-a-kind events.
Think:
✨ No rigid restaurant rules
✨ No cookie-cutter menus
✨ 100% creative freedom
Chefs can use their residencies to push creative boundaries, honor personal stories, and reconnect with why they fell in love with food in the first place.
How Chef Residencies Work
Chefs apply via this form, go through an interview, and, if they’re a match, receive a 3-month window to bring their vision to life.
There’s no culinary degree required.
Experience? Yes.
Curiosity? Absolutely.
Willingness to learn? Non-negotiable.
Daishu makes it clear:
“It’s just the creativity of it all… knowing how to run a kitchen and being willing to learn.”
The Artist Table team also guides chefs through the tough parts — menu costing, operations, financial coaching — thanks to support from internal pros
Coming Soon: Education & Training for Aspiring Chefs
Many applicants arrive with passion but lack some of the operational skill needed to thrive in a residency. So Daishu is planning to evolve. She realized there’s an education gap, so in 2026 The Artist Table is looking to do more educational activities to coach people into the residency.
This means:
✔️ Workshops
✔️ Hands-on prep experience
✔️ Menu development guidance
✔️ Operational training
The vision?
A home for Memphis’s next generation of culinary artists — not just the ones who already feel ready.
A Creative Outlet for Chefs Who Need It Most
Restaurant life is tough. Creativity often takes a backseat to survival. The Artist Table was built to fix that.
At The Artist Table, chefs get to reset, experiment, tell personal stories through food, build community, and revive their passion.
An Event Venue for the Community, Too
While chefs take over the kitchen, anyone can host events in the space.
Baby showers
Pop-up dinners
Workshops
Creative gatherings
Community nights
It’s a venue built for the people and built to celebrate Memphis culture in its most delicious form.
Why Memphis Should Be Excited
The Artist Table is a creative ecosystem for Memphis food culture — something our city has always deserved.
It’s giving chefs a platform.
It’s giving diners new experiences.
It’s giving South Main new energy.
And it’s giving Memphis another reason to brag.
Because yes, we have barbecue.
Yes, we have soul food.
But we also have world-class chefs ready to show off what else Memphis can taste like, if they’re given the space.
Stay Tuned, Memphis
Residency announcements, event calendars, chef features, and opening dates will be rolling out soon. Follow The Artist Table on social for updates. This is a space you’ll want to watch.
Memphis is a city of makers, creators, and storytellers.
Now we have a table built just for them.
And we can’t wait to pull up a chair.
