MEET THE CHEF: Dave Krog of Dory Restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee
WRITTEN BY 5 REASONS TO VISIT® EDITORIAL STAFF
PUBLISHED JULY 2022 • 4 min read
5 Reasons to Visit® sat down with Executive Chef Dave Krog of Dory Restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee.
Executive Chef Dave Krog of Dory Restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee
Image Credit: Ashley Weaver Photography
Where did you grow up, and where have you traveled to that has helped inspire and shape your cooking philosophy?
The Delta—The connection to local farmers in my early career working at Madidi in Clarksdale, Mississippi was invaluable. I lacked true confidence and experience in that type of sourcing, but I was interested and stayed interested. My menus became guided by the farms and what they provided. The relationships built with the farmers inspired me to treat the animals with the respect that they deserve and be thoughtful in handling every piece of produce.
Dory Restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee
Tell our readers an interesting fact or two about yourself.
Today, I am heavily focused on zero waste and being mindful of what it really takes to get that food in our back door. Dory is a pro-farmer, intentionally sourced, zero waste restaurant. The commitment to that shows in what is put out to the guests.
Tell us about your absolute favorite food and why readers should try it if they haven’t already.
Costco Lasagna.
Dory Restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee
Image Credit: Ashley Weaver Photography
What are three ingredients that you simply couldn’t live without?
Onion, garlic and butter.
We love the art behind plating. What do you love about designing the perfect dish?
There’s no perfect plate, trying to get there is the goal. Inviting young chefs in to see what they're thinking and doing, letting them have input, that's new to me. Seeing where their eyes are is good. The experience of watching a dish evolve with my team all the way to plating, that's the part I love.
Dory Restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee
Tell us about one of the most creative dishes you’ve created?
When you're cooking using almost 100% local product, you have no choice but to use those ingredients. Zero waste is constantly pushing creativity for us. The dining room could be like -holy shit- over something as simple as a tomato dish. The technique, temperature, and contrast is where the creativity is. Simple, but complex.
Share your most recent awards and accreditations with us!
We were #4 in the USA Today 10Best “Best New Restaurant” category in year one. We're striving for more, but national recognition in our first year operating was great for us.
Dory Restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee
