Memphis Taproom Hires Chef, Acquires Full Time Spanky


The hotly anticipated Fishtown spot Memphis Taproom gets one step closer to opening. They’ve hired a chef, Jesse Kimball, formerly of LaCroix. Fancy!

Prior to LaCroix, Jesse spent two years mastering New American cuisine at Matyson, the popular 19th Street BYOB. Jesse got his Philadelphia start as an apprentice to Food and Wine’s Best New Chef 2004, Dominic Filoni at Bianca, in Bryn Mawr. He received a culinary degree and the Best Young Culinary award from the Art Institute in Philadelphia.

Sounds like a nice pedigree to us. Also, say goodbye to Spanky this Friday:

Brendan Hartranft (okay, “Spanky”) one of the owners of the Memphis Taproom, and (almost former) Nodding Head Main Man will be pouring his last beers there this Friday (2/29).  Come out to say hello and goodbye from lunchtime to 7pm.  After Friday he’ll be all Memphis Taproom, all the time.

Hiring a chef and quitting your day job? Translation: opening very soon!

Memphis Taproom [Official Site]