V.I.P. Backstage Pass to Stax Museum

Welcome to Cooking With Chef Gary.  This week we take you behind the scenes on a Catering Special Event.  This is your V.I.P. Backstage Pass to The Stax Museum of American Soul.  On McLemore Street in south Memphis Tennessee is where it all begins.

The Stax Records Company is the home of some of the biggest Icons in American Soul Music.  Isaac Hayes, Sam and Dave, Ike and Tina Turner, Rufus and Carla Thomas, the MadLads, The Memphis Horns, The Staple Singers, Johnnie Taylor, Booker T. and the M.G.'s, Albert King, Otis Redding and the World Famous Barkays.  In addition to the great Soul Singers there are Spectacular music Producers like William Bell, and David Porter.  

     

What a better backdrop for the Culinary Arts of Chef Gary Williams, than the show memorabilia, and the Record and Album Collections hanging in the Stax Museum.  Isaac Hayes is the first black to win an Oscar, and that Oscar along with the Famous Gold Cadillac of his is probably the most famous attraction in the Stax Museum.  The Cadillac sits on a spinning rotunda with the show lights, as well as his sultry voice telling the story that now is the history behind the purchase order of his famous car.

Meanwhile Chef Gary and Chef James Moore Jr. has their own little creation that they have cooked up in the back tunnel of Stax Museum.  We find Chef Gary and James Moore carting a ton of fresh fruit to be unveiled like a red carpet at the foot of Ike and Tina Turners' 60's wardrobes.  Chef Gary is well know and Famous himself for the beautiful fruit displays he produces.  There are bright red luscious strawberries, pineapples, grapes,honeydew melons, cantaloupes, various cheeses, carrots, brocolli, cherry tomatoes, carrots, all laid out on a bed of curly endive lettuce.  What a beautiful organza.  Food of the Gods you may say.  This is only the beginning the reception area.

Now, the party brings us to the main event, where there is a Pasta serving area, of Sundried Tomato Pasta with Portabello  Mushrooms, and A Special White Creme Pasta full of shrimp, and Crayfish.  Next we have a bounty of  Fried Catfish Fingers,  with Tartar Sauce and Spicy Chili sauce.  One of the nights favorite was the grilled Chicken Breast served with a spicy mixed Sauce, it was utterly delicious.  At the adjacent table you could fill you plate with the thin slices of Beef Round from a Lighted Carving Station, also there was A'Jus Gravy and Rice to top it off, and bite size servings of DeJavu Veggie Rolls.  Now the evening would not have been complete without DeJavu's Famous New Orleans Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce.

 The guest mingled and nibbled on these delectable bites while enjoying a complimentary bar of many wines and the memorable tunes associated with the Stax Family.  The Director of the Stax Museum, Henry Nelson, and his employees extended every courtesy to our staff, as well as assisted us in set up and carry thru.  The Stax Museum is available for Special Events, and what better place to be than in Memphis Tennessee, with Food, Music, and Soul.

These facilities are the foundation to maked anyone feel famous including the mere staff of a small little hole in the wall called DeJavu Restaurant.