Special to Focus
Focus LGBT Magazine is thrilled to welcome Chef Eli Townsend as our new Food + Drink Editor. Beginning in 2026, Chef Eli will lead a brand-new series, At the Table with Chef Eli, exploring how heritage, history, and culture collide at the dinner table. This series isn’t just about recipes or restaurants—it’s about the stories, traditions, and experiences that make food an essential part of who we are.
Chef Eli Townsend is a renowned culinary expert from Memphis, Tennessee. He began his culinary journey at the age of eight, inspired by resources from the Memphis Public Libraries. Over the years, he has traveled across the country, honing his craft and exploring how food influences lives and fosters meaningful conversations.
Currently, Townsend is the Executive Chef and owner at Dos Hermanos Kitchen, located in the historic Cossitt Library in downtown Memphis. The restaurant is known for its unique dining experience, with everything made to order. Previously, he was the Executive Chef at Sage restaurant in downtown Memphis, where his innovative soul fusion cuisine gained widespread acclaim. Townsend’s culinary style blends traditional Memphis soul food with flavors from across the U.S. coasts and around the globe, creating a menu that is diverse, flavorful, and accessible to all.
“Food is never just food,” Chef Eli says. “It feeds your soul, nourishes your body, and even thirsts your desires. Every meal tells a story—of family, culture, and legacy. At the Table with Chef Eli is about connecting readers not just with ingredients, but with the meaning behind them.”
Townsend’s upcoming projects include a residency at The Artist Table at 412 South Main, where he will present “Mother to Son,” a dining experience honoring his late mother, Sheena Murrell Townsend. Running January through March 2026, the series will celebrate food, heritage, and lineage in every course.
Stay tuned in 2026 for At the Table with Chef Eli, and follow Focus LGBT Magazine across all social channels to keep up with the series, exclusive recipes, and culinary storytelling that goes beyond the plate. For more, visit FocusLGBT.com.
