THE GROVE GRILL STORY
Chip Apperson and Jeffrey Dunham met in 1985 as fellow students at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. They graduated and went separate ways for 10 years, working all over the country but keeping in touch. By fate, both ended up in Memphis (Chip came back home, Jeffery married a Memphian).
In January 1997, Chip and Jeff got the bug to open their own place. They met over drinks at a restaurant called Cena, located in the bustling and upscale Laurelwood shopping center. Fate again: One month later, Cena closed, and Chip and Jeff leased the space.
Their concept was neighborhood fine dining. And with key streets nearby named Walnut Grove, Grove Park, and Shady Grove, it wasn't hard to come up with a name.
After some inspiring interior design work by local architect Reb Haizlip, Grove Grill opened for business in October of 1997. Chip and Jeffrey are still the owners and operators, presiding over what is by far the largest fine-dining kitchen in town-perennially named one of the top 5 local restaurants by the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau.
CHEF BIO - JEFFREY DUNHAM
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