Meet The Commercial Appeal's new Food & Dining reporter Ellen Chamberlain

I'm a foodie on a lifetime quest to learn how to "eat to live." Until then, landing a gig as the Food & Dining reporter here at The Commercial Appeal is pretty much poetic justice for someone who happily "lives to eat." I like the savory and the sweet, the tart and the tangy, the exotic and the reminders of the comforts of home. I can't wait to take a professional deep dive into the Memphis culinary scene.

I'm not originally from Memphis, but if anyone ever asks, I always say the city raised me.

I'm originally from Southfield, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. My community there was tight-knit. We played together, prayed together and partied together — which made for plenty of opportunities for amazing food. Detroit taught me about Mediterranean, pączki, and real deep dish pizza. And, like most high school graduates, I couldn't wait to abandon it all for the newness of college.

There's no kind of culinary experience quite like the one at an HBCU. I was introduced to conch salad, grouper and bone-in chicken sandwiches on the campus of Florida A&M University. I wasn't writing professionally at the time, but I worked as the local news affiliate for the Steve Harvey and Tom Joyner morning shows before I moved to the city that completely humbled me. Memphis isn't a city for the weak or the faint of heart.

I moved here a few months before my 24th birthday, but I credit Memphis for making me grow up. I wasn't anything close to resembling an adult until I came here and encountered people and circumstances that were unlike anything else I'd ever seen. There is more grit, drive and love in this city than many of the others I've called home.

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As I worked as a writer, broadcaster and producer in Georgia, Arizona, California, Belize and even the UAE, Memphis always felt like a place of peace. I happily moved back in 2022 and have been grateful to call it home since.

You'll likely catch me raiding one of our many local farmers' markets across the city, attempting to learn how to roller skate in Cordova with Step & Skate , or sweating in a random fitness class somewhere (just because I like to eat does not mean I wish to wear all of the weight). If you see me, say hi! And then prepare yourself for the quizzical stare of a confused Midwesterner before I break out of my natural introversion to respond. I promise I'm friendly.

I want your food tips and recommendations, too, Memphis! Let me know your favorite places to eat, the festivals that are worth checking out, and the new spots that are opening soon.

Email me your food story ideas (or just a friendly hello) to ellen.chamberlain@commercialappeal.com , and join the conversation in our "Let's Eat, Memphis" Facebook group .

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Meet The Commercial Appeal's new Food & Dining reporter Ellen Chamberlain