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MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis culinary legend and Food Network Chopped Champion Chef Tam says she has closed her beloved restaurant in Memphis.

Tamara Patterson opened Chef Tam’s Underground Cafe on Union Avenue in 2018 and released this statement Thursday night on Facebook:

“Chef Tam, an esteemed culinary figure known for her unwavering commitment to excellence, today announces the bittersweet closure of her beloved Memphis restaurant. Since its inception in 2018, Chef Tam’s Underground Cafe establishment has been a beacon of culinary innovation and community spirit, capturing the hearts and palates of Memphians and visitors alike.

Just as Chef Tam embarked on her culinary journey guided by divine inspiration, she now finds herself pausing to heed that same call for what lies ahead. While the restaurant will cease operations, Chef Tam remains steadfast in her commitment to serving the community through an array of exciting ventures. From bespoke catering experiences to immersive cooking classes, and the unveiling of Chef Tam’s exquisite line of culinary products, including her renowned cookware, the legacy of Chef Tam’s culinary prowess will continue to thrive.

Memphis, a city renowned for its resilience and indomitable spirit, has been the backdrop for Chef Tam’s remarkable journey. From the dazzling heights of international acclaim in publications like Forbes, the New York Times, and Taste of the South, to captivating audiences on esteemed platforms such as ESPN, OWN, Essence, and Food Network, Chef Tam’s culinary odyssey has been a testament to the enduring spirit of Memphis.

As Chef Tam bids farewell to the restaurant rollercoaster, she does so adorned with the accolades of a storied career. Winning the prestigious title of Best Chef in the city and clinching the runner-up position for Best Restaurant in her final year serves as a fitting crown to the culmination of an extraordinary season. From triumphs on the culinary battlefield against Iron Chefs to showcasing her unparalleled skill on Guy’s Grocery Games and Chopped, Chef Tam’s flavored journey has left an indelible mark on the culinary landscape.

With a heart full of gratitude and boundless optimism for the future, Chef Tam extends her sincerest well-wishes to the city of Memphis and its incredible inhabitants. Chef Tam says. As we bid adieu to one chapter, we eagerly anticipate the unfolding of the next, where new opportunities beckon, achievements await celebration, and passion ignites purpose.”

In 2022, Patterson became the first Memphis chef to win the popular cooking competition Chopped. She took home a $10,000 prize.

The Boston Celtics are acquiring Xavier Tillman from the Memphis Grizzlies for two second-round picks, according to Adrian Wojnarowski. Those picks will come from Atlanta in 2027 and Dallas in 2030, according to Wojnarowski. The Grizzlies are also getting forward Lamar Stevens in the deal, per Jake Fischer.

The logic for Boston is clear. While Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis have both played well for the team with the NBA's best record, neither are reliable bets to make it through the entire postseason at 100%. Porzingis has a lengthy history of injuries and Horford is 37 years old. Luke Kornet and Sam Hauser have provided admirable reserve minutes for Boston's front court, but neither played much last postseason.

Tillman filled in for the injured Steven Adams admirably last season when the Grizzlies lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round. He even held up well against LeBron James when matched up with the all-time great.

Still, Tillman is bound for free agency this offseason. Even after trading Adams to the Houston Rockets earlier in this deadline cycle, the Grizzlies had serious luxury tax concerns going into next season. Now they are without both of their centers from last season, but with Jaren Jackson Jr. moving to center full-time this season, they likely believe that they can get by with a cheaper backup option. Now, they get assets back for a player they likely would have lost.

The Celtics may not be able to afford Tillman either after the season. They are deep into the tax themselves, and Tillman is a viable playoff-caliber defender at center. Those are extremely rare and don't come cheap. But Boston isn't thinking about the offseason right now. The Celtics are the favorites to win the NBA championship, and with this deal they've fortified their front line for a run at the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

The Memphis Tigers will look to continue their recent mastery of the Temple Owls when they meet in American Athletic Conference action on Thursday in Philadelphia. The Tigers (16-6, 5-4 AAC), who have won the last five meetings against Temple, outlasted the Owls (8-14, 1-8 AAC) 86-77 in their last meeting on Feb. 12, 2023. Temple, which is on a seven-game losing streak overall, last beat Memphis in 2019, an 85-76 win at Philadelphia. The Tigers hold a 14-11 edge in the all-time series.

Tip-off from Liacouras Center in Philadelphia is set for 7 p.m. ET. The Tigers are 6.5-point favorites in the latest Memphis vs. Temple odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 147. Before making any Temple vs. Memphis picks, be sure to see the college basketball predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. It enters Week 14 of the 2023-24 season on a 124-82 roll on all top-rated college basketball picks dating back to last season, returning more than $2,000 for $100 players. It is also off to a sizzling 20-9 start on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Memphis vs. Temple and revealed its CBB picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several college basketball odds and trends for Temple vs. Memphis:

Why Memphis can cover

Although he has played in just 11 games, including two starts, senior transfer forward Nae'Qwan Tomlin is making an impact for the Tigers. The former Kansas State player has scored in double figures in seven games, including one double-double – a 15-point and 15-rebound effort in an 81-70 win over Austin Peay on Dec. 30. He scored a season-high 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds in a 78-75 win at Tulsa on Jan. 4. For the year, he is averaging 10.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and one block in 23.1 minutes of action. He is connecting on 54.2% of his field goals, including 40% from 3-point range.

Another key contributor is senior transfer guard Jaykwon Walton, who spent last season at Wichita State after playing his first two years at Georgia. In 22 games, including 19 starts, he is averaging 9.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 steals in 27.7 minutes. He has reached double-figure scoring 11 times this year, including a season-high 23 points in a 112-86 win at Wichita State on Jan. 14. In a 74-71 loss to Rice last week, he scored 12 points, while adding two rebounds, two assists and two steals. See which team to pick here.

Why Temple can cover

Junior guard Hysier Miller helps fuel the Owls' offense and has reached double-figure scoring in each of the last four games. In a 69-66 loss to Rice on Jan. 20, he poured in 24 points while dishing out seven assists. He had a season-high 29 points in a 78-73 loss to Columbia on Nov. 18. For the year, he is averaging 15.9 points, 4.3 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 36.5 minutes of action.

Junior transfer Jordan Riley has also been heating up of late. The former Georgetown standout has played in 19 games at Temple, making 15 starts. He scored 23 points and grabbed six rebounds in Sunday's overtime loss at Tulane. In 28.9 minutes of action, he is averaging 12.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.3 steals and one assist. See which team to pick here.

How to make Temple vs. Memphis picks

SportsLine's model is leaning Under on the total, projecting 147 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time. You can only see the picks at SportsLine.

So who wins Memphis vs. Temple, and which side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model on a 20-9 roll on top-ranked college basketball spread picks.

The Memphis Grizzlies are sending forward Xavier Tillman to the Boston Celtics in exchange for two second-round picks, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Wednesday. The Grizzlies will have a 2027 second-rounder via the Atlanta Hawks and another in 2030 from the Dallas Mavericks.

Fourth-year power forward Lamar Stevens will also land in Memphis as part of the trade, per Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Jake Fischer. The transaction won't use the traded player exception, as Tillman and Stevens are direct salary matches.

Boston was expected to send a bench player back to the Grizzlies in the deal in order to keep an empty roster spot. Stevens averaged 2.8 points, 1.6 rebounds and 6.4 minutes over 19 appearances for the Celtics this season.

The deal gives Boston another big man, adding depth behind Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Luke Kornet in preparation for a title run. Tillman isn't known for his shooting, but he's proven to be a solid defensive presence in limited playing time.

Memphis selected Tillman with the 35th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft out of Michigan State. The 25-year-old is in his fourth season in the league, having only played for the Grizzlies. The new development in Tillman's career comes after Boston was reportedly the team most connected to him, in the case that he and Memphis couldn't reach an extension.

Tillman has been out of the Grizzlies' lineup for about a month as he deals with a left knee injury. He last played in the team's 116-111 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Jan. 3, but that doesn't mean he won't soon be available for the Celtics.

Over 34 appearances this season, Tillman is averaging six points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.2 steals and one block in 20.6 minutes.

He leaves the Grizzlies as they prepare for next season, having dealt center Steven Adams to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Victor Oladipo and three second-round picks on Feb. 1. They currently sit 13th in the Western Conference with an 18-33 record.

Chef Tam's Underground Cafe at 668 Union Ave. closed on Feb. 7.

"Thank you Memphis. It's been real," chef and owner Tamra Patterson said. "I have learned so much. This is not goodbye, but see you later."

The closure was announced on social media Thursday evening.

Patterson said she is stepping away from the restaurant business all together, closing not just her flagship Memphis restaurant, but her locations in Texas and Rhode Island as well.

"I need some peace, and to recalculate, restructure and rebuild," she said of the decision to close her restaurants.

Since opening in March 2017, Patterson has made a name for herself for her creative Southern soul food dishes. Dishes like Patterson's Deep Fried Ribs and Peach Cobbler are often over the top, but delicious. She has garnered national attention on shows like Food Network’s “Guy’s Grocery Games” (which she won in 2018) and A&E’s “Deliciously Twisted Classics." Her restaurant and dishes have been featured in national publications like Forbes, the New York Times and Taste of the South.

Her eatery in a historic building in the Edge District of Downtown Memphis was filled with family memorabilia and included a store that sold her signature seasoning blends and cookware.

While the restaurant will cease operations, Patterson said she remains steadfast in her commitment to serving the community through an array of ventures. "From bespoke catering experiences to immersive cooking classes, and the unveiling of Chef Tam's exquisite line of culinary products, including her renowned cookware, the legacy of Chef Tam's culinary prowess will continue to thrive," stated the closure announcement on Facebook.

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While Patterson expressed sadness over the closures, she has optimism for the future. “As we bid adieu to one chapter, we eagerly anticipate the unfolding of the next, where new opportunities beckon, achievements await celebration, and passion ignites purpose.”

Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at [email protected] and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.

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