Chefs to Reveal Best Meals, Road Experiences at Music City Food + Wine

The Music City Food and Wine Festival has revealed the lineup of panelists and tasting session topics for this year’s event Sept. 19-20. During the panels top-name chefs will reveal favorite inspirational playlists, the best meals they’ve consumed, their love of wild game, and discuss culinary experiences on the road, while at the tasting sessions festivalgoers will get an interactive sampling and in-depth look at sake, how Patron tequilas are made, and more.

The event was founded by the Kings of Leon and has strong music connections, including a Saturday night concert.

Saturday’s “What’s Playing In Your Kitchen” panel will feature moderator Marcus Samuelsson (Red Rooster Harlem, Ginny’s Supper Club, Streetbird Rotisserie) with panelists Sarah Gavigan (Otaku South), Graham Elliot (Graham Elliot Bistro) and Karl Worley (Biscuit Love Brunch).

Also on Saturday is “The Best Meal I Ever Ate,” a panel moderated by Carla Hall (Carla Hall’s Southern Kitchen) with panelists Carey Bringle (Peg Leg Porker), Hal M. Holden-Bache (Lockeland Table) and Linton Hopkins (Restaurant Eugene, Holeman & Finch Public House, and H&F Bottle Shop).

Sunday’s panels kick off with a unique discussion about wild game led by moderator Tim Love (LoveShack, The Lonesome Dove Western Bistro, Woodshed Smokehouse, White Elephant Saloon) and featuring panelists Matt Bolus (The 404 Kitchen), Jason McConnell (Red Pony, 55 South, McConnell House, Cork & Cow) and Levon Wallace (Cochon Butcher Nashville).

The final panel discussion, “Bites from the Road,” will be moderated by Andrew Zimmern (Chef & TV Personality) and include panelists Lisa Donovan (Buttermilk Road & Husk Nashville), Michael Schwartz (The Genuine Hospitality Group) and Tandy Wilson (City House), who will share their experiences on the road, exploring culinary traditions from different cities.

The tasting sessions will provide an interactive sampling of spirits and cocktails from experts, and will include “Grilling And Chilling With Sake,” “Tequila Patrón Presents: Handcrafted—From Agave Fields to Craft Cocktails” with cocktails by David Alan (aka the Tipsy Texan), Hendricks Gin’s “A Most Curious & Peculiar Cocktail Academy,” and Angostura Bitters’ “Not So Old-Fashioned” look at the versatility of bitters in cooking and cocktails.

The musical lineup for Saturday, Sept. 19’s Harvest Night celebration is expected later this summer but will again be curated by the Kings of Leon.

For additional information or tickets, go to www.musiccityfoodandwinefestival.com. 

• Author
• Recent Posts

Lorie Hollabaugh

Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at lhollabaugh@musicrow.com.

Latest posts by Lorie Hollabaugh (see all)

• Jason Isbell’s ShoalsFest Returns In October - May 6, 2026
• ALABAMA Announces Fan Appreciation Week Events - May 6, 2026
• Dylan Gossett & Charles Wesley Godwin Announce Co-Headlining Tour - May 6, 2026