At this point in Nashville’s food-destination evolution, there are dozens of events throughout the year that’ll let you explore local restaurants, breweries, distilleries and other prominent players on the food and drink scene. But if you’re drawn toward fine dining, no gathering will be more your speed than the Music City Food + Wine Festival.
This year’s Music City Food + Wine — the sixth annual event — is set for September 14 through 16 at Bicentennial Park and Walk of Fame Park, and it’ll once again include a stacked schedule of tastings, talks, classes and workshops, spread from a Friday-night party to a Sunday-afternoon brunch.
What’s familiar, what’s new at Music City Food + Wine
Each year since its inception, the Music City Food + Wine fest has brought out an array of food experts and brands, from celebrity chefs to longstanding local restaurateurs.
That hasn’t changed for 2018: The talent list this year includes another crop of folks you’ll recognize from food TV (Food Network stars Anne Burrell and Aarón Sánchez, The Chew cohost Carla Hall), plus some high-profile visiting chefs (including Texas powerhouse Tim Love), and a long, long list of Nashville’s best-known kitchen captains: Margot McCormack of Margot Cafe, Matt Bolus of the 404 Kitchen, Martin’s pit master Pat Martin, Etch/Etc. owner Deb Paquette, James Beard Award winner Tandy Wilson of City House, and dozens of others.
If you’re new to Nashville and want a crash course in the best culinary talents our city has to offer, there’s no better ticket.
If you’re a repeat Music City Food + Wine fest-goer, the organizers (including members of Kings of Leon and celeb chef Jonathan Waxman) have added a mix of new happenings to amp up the excitement, too.
Among the additions that’ll likely appeal to food-lovers reared on competition shows like Top Chef and Iron Chef America:
— a “Friday Night Throwdown,” which’ll have chefs Anne Burrell and Tim Love leading competing teams of Nashville Predators and Tennessee Titans members, acting as celeb sous chefs. (They brought in the big guns here, too — P.K. Subban and Marcus Mariota are among the athletes putting on aprons.)
— an “Official Drink of Nashville” competition, with mixologists from restaurants and bars across the city pouring their best.
Attend the Music City Food + Wine festival
This isn’t a budget hang — “All-in” Tickets to the Music City Food + Wine fest, which offer access to all the events, Friday to Sunday, run $525 apiece. But plenty of Nashvillians and visitors have learned just how worth the ticket price the fest is — those passes were already sold out as of this posting.
Don’t worry if you haven’t snagged yours, yet, though: You can still gain access to the fest with individual-day tickets. Friday night access and Saturday day access each run $165 per person; Sunday’s “Gospel Brunch” is $85.
Lean more and/or buy your tickets at musiccityfoodandwinefestival.com.
Just like past years, we’re looking forward to a few days of the best food Nashville has to offer.
If you’re not able to make it to the fest, but could use a little direction toward some of Nashville’s best food neighborhoods, we’re always happy to help. Same goes if you’re looking to buy a home in one of Nashville’s best food neighborhoods.
Reach ACRE here, and let us know what we can help you with!