Collierville Senior Living Center Delivers Exceptional Dining Experience.
When one thinks of fine dining, retirement communities may not immediately come to mind. However, two local facilities have exciting plans to open their restaurant doors to the public.
The Farms at Bailey Station in Collierville, which opened its doors in 2021, boasts five distinctive dining venues exclusively for its residents. Once the facility reaches full occupancy, these dining establishments will become accessible to the public, but only through reservations.
Michelle Vincent, the executive vice president of Retirement Companies of America (RCA), shared, “We still have a way to go to be fully occupied, but once we’re further along in more of the residents actually moving in and getting them situated and taken care of, then we will offer the dining venues to the greater public on a reservation basis.”
Both The Farms at Bailey Station, situated at 3300 S. Houston Levee Road in Collierville, and Kirby Pines LifeCare Community, located at 3535 Kirby Parkway in Southeast Memphis, were developed and are operated by RCA.
John Utley, a seasoned chef with a notable culinary background that includes working at renowned Memphis restaurants like Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen, Catherine & Mary’s, Acre, and Lucky Cat Ramen, now serves as the executive chef at The Farms at Bailey Station. His most recent role was as the executive chef at Limelight in Germantown.
Utley shared his culinary philosophy, saying, “Our residents have traveled the world and have refined palates. They don’t want the traditional retirement fare. Since I’ve worked with high-level, local chefs, I have a palate for farm-to-table and fresh, local ingredients. I definitely brought that here.”
The dining venues at The Farms at Bailey Station offer a diverse culinary experience, catering to a range of tastes:
- Daily Bread Bistro: A deli and short-order cook venue that also offers a delectable Sunday brunch.
- Salt and Season: An upscale dining option specializing in Southern dishes like fried chicken and smoked ribs.
- Charlie T’s Steakhouse (named after Charlie Trammell, owner of RCA): An upscale steakhouse known for its certified Angus beef steaks, seafood, chicken, and vegetables.
- LaGrange Grill and Sports Bar: A pub-style spot serving bar favorites such as sliders and small plates.
- Passport International Cuisine: An upscale venue that opens exclusively on Tuesdays, featuring a four- to five-course meal inspired by a specific region in the world, paired with exquisite wines.
Michael Butorac, the director of culinary services at The Farms at Bailey Station, emphasized the importance of offering variety, considering the diverse backgrounds and culinary preferences of the residents. He stated, “When you live in a retirement community, you have many different people who have eaten all around the world and some who have never left Memphis. The community is a melting pot of different cultures and people from around the country, so we want to have variety.”
Additionally, The Farms at Bailey Station supports local farms, including Jones Orchard and New South Memphis Produce, providing fresh, local produce to residents. They also host a monthly farmers market, with plans to open it to the public in the near future.
The community is also nurturing young culinary talent through a partnership with the Culinary Institute at Southwest Tennessee Community College, John Utley’s alma mater. This collaboration allows young culinary students to gain valuable experience and contributes to building a strong culinary foundation at The Farms at Bailey Station in Collierville, TN.
Kirby Pines, celebrating its 40th anniversary on Saturday, September 9th, boasts just over 500 residents, while The Farms at Bailey Station in, managed in collaboration with Greystone Communities in Dallas, Texas, currently accommodates 300 residents.