365 Things to Do in Memphis #228: Find Out Why Chez Philippe Doesn't Serve Duck
365 Things to Do in Memphis #228: Find Out Why Chez Philippe Doesn't Serve Duck
The Peabody Hotel's four-star restaurant, Chez Philippe, is possibly the only French restaurant in the world that absolutely refuses to serve duck. Assignment #228 in the 365 Things to Do in Memphis is to visit the hotel's memorabilia room to read the letter explaining why.


The memorabilia room is a tiny mahogany, glass and paper shrine to the hotel's 143 year history that's loaded with ephemera that's found its way home through the generosity of past guests and important documents that were saved by hotel staff, like a contract that Elvis signed written on Peabody stationery and the aforementioned letter about the duck.
I don't have a decent photo of the letter, and I really think you should go read it for yourself, but I can't help but tell you part of what it says, because it's exactly the sort of smack down - blunt, and delivered with piercing accuracy - that the world needs more of.
The letter is from hotel manager Gary Belz to Charles Roseman, the executive chef at Chez Philippe that addresses the issue of serving duck at the hotel thusly:
“We are basically taking our logo, slaughtering it and serving it, and I’m not sure how this is to our benefit.”
Gary just basically slapped Charles in the face with his gloves and said "Good Day, sir."
You can read the rest of the letter and see a ton of other artifacts from the Peabody (like photos, vintage toiletries and more in the Peabody's memorabilia room. It's free, open to the public and located in the northwestern corner of the the second floor mezzanine.
Go there:
Peabody Hotel Memorabilia Room
Peabody Hotel
149 Union Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 529-4199
Paul Ryburn
Barbara Van Camp
I’m delighted you do not serve duck in your restaurants. That would be horrible. Thank you
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