Chef Ben Vaughn Introduces Newest Culinary Foray

June 19, 2010 - PRLog -- Memphis, TN -- Always striving to excel in culinary endeavors, Chef Ben Vaughn has introduced a new dining gem into the already vibrant culture of Memphis, Tennessee. Au Fond Farmtable is a breakfast and lunch establishment conceived by Chef Ben Vaughn in tandem with his popular dinner enterprise, Grace. Specializing in comfort food, Chef Ben Vaughn's Au Fond Farmtable serves classics of southern cuisine. With the distinctive palette of Chef Ben Vaughn at the helm, Au Fond Farmtable has evolved old favorites like pork and beans into unique but recognizable delights. Chef Ben Vaughn's goal is to create his menus as coordinated with local farmers as possible.

"'Au fond' is a French term," remarks Chef Ben Vaughn, "that implies 'basically' or 'essentially' in English."

Chef Ben Vaughn named Au Fond Farmtable after the local farmers and suppliers that are the lifeblood of his award-winning kitchen. Situated in Midtown Memphis, Chef Ben Vaughn's new restaurant venture continues to champion the modern green business model of local supply. Chef Ben Vaughn makes a concerted effort to acquire as many ingredients for his menu as possible from within a short drive of Memphis. Furthermore, Chef Ben Vaughn applies his exquisite cooking skills to customizing his menu to the local agriculture of the Memphis area. This means that Chef Ben Vaughn builds his menu according to what the farmland around Memphis yields.

The menu at Chef Ben Vaughn's Au Fond Farmtable features items from simple and light to rich and sumptuous.  Counter service is prompt and warm. Chef Ben Vaughn dreams up items like pimento and cheese sandwiches, chicken and dumplings, and a savory shrimp and grits that sticks to the memory as well as the ribs.

While Grace Restaurant next door serves only dinner, Chef Ben Vaughn's Au Fond Farmtable is open during the days, cooking up morning and midday country fare. But Chef Ben Vaughn does not let Au Fond Farmtable lie idle at night. The restaurant also host weekly culinary events on select nights. These events build community and provide food education. For Chef Ben Vaughn, things like Monday night Family Dinners and Tuesday night Cheese Tastings are simply more reasons for people to get together and have a good time with food. As a child, that is what drew Chef Ben Vaughn to cooking in the first place.

Visit Au Fond Farmtable at:
Cooper-Young next to Grace Restaurant
938 South Cooper Street
Memphis, TN, 38104
901.274.8513

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Chef Ben Vaughn garnered acclaim during his stint as chef and partner at the Memphis, Tennessee award winning River Oaks Restaurant. In the fall of 2009 he opened his own restaurant, called Grace after his daughter.