Memphis in May

No doubt.

Now, in keeping with the open fire talk here, if you're a fan of this show or you're a fan of open fire cooking, you know that the first ever open fire championship took place during the Memphis in May barbecue competition this past May.

Went off with tremendous fanfare, rave reviews.

The team that won it absolutely had a blast.

All the teams that took part in it had a blast.

What do we know about Memphis in May 2027 and the second year of a Open Fire World Championships?

Yeah, it's going to be great.

Like you said, it was like, honestly, it was amazing.

So, I mean, if you grew up in Kansas City, then the Royal may be your first introduction to barbecue.

If you grew up in Memphis, then Memphis, Maine may be your first introduction.

But if not, then, you know, I tell everybody now, find a class, take a class, do your research online, take another class and another class, and then cook at home and, you know, practice those things.

And it's not where you want to start.

For The Daily Memphian, I'm Sophia Surette.

The Memphis in May International Festival has announced an addition of John Doyle as the festival's vice president of programming.

Noah McClain of The Daily Memphian says Doyle previously first held the position from 1999 into 2003 before leaving to join the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum.

As vice president of programming, Doyle will coordinate the Memphis in May Festival's marketing, as well as help plan and coordinate events and programming for the festival, which is scheduled for May 12th to the 15th, 2027, at Liberty Park.

Doyle said in a press release he is, quote, "excited to return." For The Daily Memphian, I'm Noah McClain.

Restaurant tour Robert Abbey is trying to have his 1,200 acres of farmland in Walls, Mississippi rezoned to allow for industrial use.

Ever gone back to a job you had more than 20 years ago? John Doyle just did.

The longtime executive director of the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum has left that gig to return to the Memphis in May International Festival staff.

Doyle served as MIM's vice president of programming before he took the museum job back in 2003, and now he's back, where he'll be coordinating MIM's marketing and event programming.

A state-appointed board of nine is posed to return to power over Memphis Shelby County Schools once its chair gives a sworn statement that it's, quote, "ready, willing, and able," end quote, to do so, according to a court order issued on Monday.