Memphis' Chef Tam to compete on Food Network's 'Chopped'

Jennifer Chandler, Memphis Commercial Appeal
·1 min read
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Tamra Patterson, known by most Memphians as Chef Tam, will appear on Food Network's competition show "Chopped" on April 5.

In the episode titled "Epic BLT Battle," the chefs find BLT-themed ingredients in every basket and are encouraged to celebrate the classic flavor combination in their dishes.

The episode airs at 8 p.m. CST.

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Memphis chef Tamra Patterson, owner of Chef Tam's Underground Cafe, will appear on Food Network show 'Chopped' on April 5. 2022.
Memphis chef Tamra Patterson, owner of Chef Tam's Underground Cafe, will appear on Food Network show 'Chopped' on April 5. 2022.

This is Patterson's first time to appear on "Chopped," but not her first time on Food Network. She has competed on three different episodes of "Guy's Grocery Games," even winning once. She has also competed on OWN's "Great American Cookout."

"This is something I have always wanted to do and the hardest show I have ever competed on," Patterson said. "It was fun, but nerve-wracking."

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Sauces for sale at Chef Tam's Underground Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020 where Chef Tamra Patterson has changed a dining area into a spice factory to mix and bottle sauces to help make revenue.
Sauces for sale at Chef Tam's Underground Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020 where Chef Tamra Patterson has changed a dining area into a spice factory to mix and bottle sauces to help make revenue.

Patterson owns Chef Tam's Underground Cafe in the Edge District of Downtown Memphis. Since opening in March 2017, Chef Tam has made a name for herself for her creative Southern soul food dishes.

This past fall, she launched a line of cookware as part of her "Soul Food Super Store" line that started with spices and sauces.

On Feb. 17, she opened a second Chef Tam's in Arlington, Texas. (Patterson is originally from Fort Worth, which she says is "one exit away" from the new restaurant.) The new restaurant is to-go only, selling her unique Southern dishes as well as her line of cookware and condiments.

A look inside Chef Tam's Underground Cafe new location on Union Avenue.
A look inside Chef Tam's Underground Cafe new location on Union Avenue.

While Patterson cannot share any details of the show until it airs, she did say she was grateful for the experience.

"Of course this will help business, but more than anything ... it's another step in my journey. Another sprinkle of salt to my story," she said.

Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Food Network's 'Chopped' to feature Memphis' Chef Tam