Central Station Hotel
Memphis Central Station is home to over one hundred years of Memphis history. When it opened in 1914, it was known as Memphis’s own Grand Central Station. Today, Memphis Central Station serves as a stop for the local MATA trolley route as well as Amtrak’s City of New Orleans route. In 2019, the 123-room Central Station Hotel opened, inviting guests to stay in the historic train station. The fully renovated and innovative hotel houses Bishop, a French-inspired restaurant, as well as Eight & Sand, a cocktail bar and lounge that is home to a Memphis-inspired collection of vinyl albums. Guests can enjoy the wide-ranging collection of music in the Listening Room, hidden behind the bar. Most nights, guests can enjoy live music at El Mertha, the hotel’s DJ booth and mixing table. The Central Station Hotel offers delightful views of South Main Street from its cozy rooms and is supported by a delightful staff that we chose to feature in our latest photoshoot highlighting the hospitality and tourism industry here in Memphis.
We had such a great time working with the staff at Central Station. The services that this hotel provides gave us so many opportunities and staff members to spotlight. We could not pick just one role! Executive Chef Raymond from Bishop showed off his expertise and talents in the kitchen, leaving our team ready to come back for dinner! The craft cocktails are as delicious as they look in the photographs and our bartender team, Chris and Paige were fun to watch work together as they created these tasty concoctions.
Our tour of the special events hall, the meeting rooms, and our final destination, the hotel room, presented all of the living history housed in this historic l building while also showcasing all of the fun, unique, contemporary details and features that make the Central Station Hotel a must-stop for travelers to Memphis.
Photo by NLA Projects 2023. Phyllis Benson of the Central Station Hotel.
Central Station Hotel staff members represent so many of the roles that make up our hospitality and tourism industry. From bartenders to chefs, housekeepers to concierges and more - there are so many opportunities within Central Station to make an impact on visitors and locals alike. The unique amenities at Central Station attract not just travelers to Memphis, but regulars who live and play in Downtown, too.
Executive Chef Raymond Jackson with Bishop shared a fantastic story about his introduction to the hospitality industry and why he continues to do this work today. “On Saturday mornings as a kid, I’d watch cartoons, then I would watch cooking shows like Julia Childs, Justin Wilson, and ‘The Frugal Gourmet.’ I love cooking.” Chef Raymond started working at a catering company while pursuing a degree in accounting. “When I got a job in an accounting firm, I was not happy, so I packed up, went to New York and went to culinary school. I did my first stage at Emeril's in New Orleans and I have not looked back since.”
Photo by NLA Projects 2023. Chef Raymond Jackson of Bishop.
We are so glad Chef Raymond never looked back. If you, too, are looking to make a change, his story is a great reminder that it’s never too late. Our jobs board is free for all job seekers looking for a career in the hospitality and tourism industry in Memphis. You just might find your future career on the Welcome to Memphis Jobs Board!
For more information about Central Station Hotel visit their website at Central Station Hotel and on social media at: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For more information on Bishop Memphis visit their website Bishop Memphis and follow on social media at: Facebook and Instagram; follow 8 & Sand on Facebook and El Mertha on Instagram.
