Charles Reagan Hackleman
Now in its seventh year, Music City Food + Wine’s blockbuster three-day food festival sets up shop at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park from September 20 to 22.
Ticketholders get a full slate of tasting sessions, cooking demos, book signings, and access to the popular Chef Showcase, where they can fill up on unlimited food and beverage samples. It’s also a chance to hobnob with high-profile talent like Kathie Lee Gifford and Martina McBride, and TV chefs Tyler Florence, Carla Hall, and Rick Bayless. Several of Nashville’s hometown heroes will be there, too, including Margot McCormack (Margot Café), Tandy Wilson (City House), and Deb Paquette (Etch, etc.).
Nathan Zucker
During the Friday Night Throwdown, chef Tim Love (who has Lonesome Dove Western Bistro in Knoxville) and Hall (author, chef, TV personality) will host a feisty competitive cooking demo, pulling in friends from the Nashville Predators and Tennessee Titans to help out onstage. McBride and Florence show off with their own joint demo the same night. On Saturday, you can catch more demos by chef Bayless, plus enjoy a roster of good eats during the Chef Showcase from local restaurants like Peg Leg Porker, The Grilled Cheeserie, 5th& Taylor, Hathorne, and many more. Throughout the weekend, TV personality Gifford will host tastings of her own GIFFT wines.
Nathan Zucker
Saturday’s Harvest Night features a number of Chicago blues stars playing the tunes of The Rolling Stones while chefs like Paquette, McCormack, Florence, Love, and others serve up small plates. Rounding out the weekend, the Gospel Brunch on Sunday brings it home with live music, eye-opening cocktails, and brunch bites from Stompin' Grounds Restaurant & Market, Star Rover Sound, and more. All-in tickets ($525) get you access to everything; single-day passes and individual event tickets are available, too.