It used to be that meeting planners chose a destination based on price, distance and weather. Now they must consider food. America’s palate is evolving. Progressive chefs are bringing their talents to Tennessee and a contemporary, Southern-food movement is afoot.
In Nashville and Memphis, chefs have earned glowing coverage in GQ, Food & Wine, The New York Times and Bon Appetit. The Food Network and the Travel Channel have featured numerous Knoxville eateries. Throughout the state, there is the promise of Southern farmhouse cooking and slow, smoked barbecue.
And Tennessee now has a spate of micro-breweries, local vineyards, legal moonshine ’stills and always its famous sippin’ whisky, Jack Daniels. To further complement the food, there is music, music and more music.
NASHVILLE
Etch Restaurant has received an enviable Zagat award.
“We were blown away to be picked as No.1 in Nashville by Zagat in their survey,” says Deb Paquette, chef and owner. “We love being here in this city.”
Its popularity has made lunch and dinner reservations essential as well as for the two private dining rooms, where lead time should be a month. This buzzy restaurant is contemporary, from its minimalist decor and whimsical lighting to the plate art.
The Gulch, an old industrial neighborhood, has been gentrified by high-end condos and foodie-worthy restaurants. A loft-like renovation of an old print shop, Watermark Restaurant is characterized by progressive urban style. It has hosted the after-party for the Country Music Awards for years. For smaller events, The Loft Room, adjacent to the rooftop patio, has nocturnal skyline views.
Pinewood Social, a trend-setting eatery with a social club theme, is the new buzz. Located in a renovated trolley barn, it even has a classy bowling alley. All or portions of Pinewood can be rented.
The city’s original post office, circa 1934, is now The Frist Center for the Visual Arts, displaying both distinctive architectural styles of the period: Classicism and Art Deco. An exquisite yet versatile venue for high-end events, groups can have exclusive evening access to all galleries. There’s an approved list of caterers, like Kristen Winston, who creates culinary memories, and music can be arranged. PageBreak
“Nashville doesn’t tolerate bad music,” says Ellen Pryor of The Frist. “Planners can feel confident choosing musicians, be they the finest classical musicians who perform with our symphony, to world-renowned jazz artists.”
Arrington Vineyards, an enchanting hillside winery located 25 miles south of Nashville, offers private rental packages through firms such as Cellar Patio Events, Tented Courtyard Events or AV Wine Outings, but only on weekdays. The adjacent Lilac Farms is another option.
Music celebrities and meeting coordinators wanting a rustic setting choose the Jack Daniels Distillery, 70 miles southwest of Nashville in Moore County, which ironically, is a dry county. A great party place, typically with private tasting tours and barbecues on the patio, Gentleman Jack & Ginger is a favored libation. The other venue is Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House (dating to 1867). Groups in Jack Daniels’ conference center often cap off their meeting with lunch or dinner there. Think Southern farmhouse meals.
MEMPHIS
In Memphis parlance, a wise guy has nothing to do with the mob, unless it is the crowd that comes in for one of the annual beer-related events like the Cooper-Young Regional Beerfest. Each fall, 20 to 30 small craft brewers gather for this one-day festival in Midtown.
And “wise-guy” could refer to a big kahuna at the WiseAcre Brewing Co., one of the city’s small production breweries; its tap room is open for tastes and tours are soon coming.
A shiny new tap room and tours debut in spring, 2014, at Memphis Made Brewing Company, located in the vibrant Cooper-Young neighborhood.
Historically, Memphis is known for its slow, smoked ribs and May’s World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest with its hilarious Ms. Piggie competition. Contestants’ cartoon-like masks, costumes and vocal talents are judged. Grill masters, whose booths are named Slab Your Mama, Swine & Dine and such, don snouts and pig ears.
Yet this rock ’n’ roll and blues town has gone beyond barbecued ribs; chefs Andrew Ticer and Michael Hudman of Hog & Hominy are newbie celebrities in sophisticated culinary circles. Critics in high places are loving the artistry of their cuisine—Southern soul with an Italian accent. Yet you can order a cheddar dog with a crafty, Ghost River beer. PageBreak
KNOXVILLE
Knoxville loves locally grown. Fantastic farmers markets have sprouted up. Famed local chef Matt Gallaher, back from his global tour as a chef for the rock band Kings of Leon, is now the owner of Knox Mason, a restaurant specializing in contemporary Southern food with a focus on seasonal, homegrown ingredients.
It can accommodate up to nine persons in a large front table, so save this one for a VIP group or a recommendation for a night on your own.
Knoxville’s fun International Biscuit Festival in May takes biscuits to a whole new level with competitions, brunch with the famed Blackberry Farm and of course the Mr./Ms. Biscuit Contest.
Wine is another draw.
“The Blue Slip is Tennessee’s first urban winery and Knoxville’s first winery,” says Erin Donovan, communications director for Visit Knoxville. “And you don’t need to travel to the foothills of the Smoky Mountains to taste it; just walk downtown. This urban winery utilizes Tennessee-grown grapes and fruit, then processes, ages and bottles on location. Its extensive wine list offers something to please everyone in your group.”
CHATTANOOGA
From the Chattanooga Beast Feast BBQ Festival at the Chattanooga Market to the Rock City Gardens’ Rocktoberfest and the Cast Iron Cook-Off, this city is awash in food events that groups can easily incorporate into their leisure schedules. Uncorked, an annual, upscale party featuring the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera, offers fine wine tastings and food samplings from local restaurants. Significantly more casual is the Southern Brewers Festival, held downtown on the waterfront, with microbrewers presenting their wares with live music and food aplenty.
Chattanooga’s recommendable restaurants are best known for their farm-fresh produce from the vast and varied farmers markets and for putting an upscale twist on Southern food, notably in its James-Beard-nominated and Wine Spectator Award-winning restaurants.
“We are also known for the variety of food offerings we have—great barbecue, Thai, Indian, Mexican, Mongolian and all-American,” says Candace Davis, marketing and public relations manager for the Chattanooga Area CVB. “Whether you’re looking for upscale restaurants or trendy dives, you’ll find over 100 establishments downtown that have attracted food reviewers and celebs, including Rachel Ray’s $40-a-Day show and celebrity chef Alton Brown.” PageBreak
SMOKY
MOUNTAIN
REGION
Food and music fans love Sevierville’s Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass–Bush’s Best Tennessee State Championship BBQ Cook Off, with artists, crafters and concerts from the biggest names in bluegrass. Also in Sevierville, every day The Diner has 1950s retro food, atmosphere and jukebox tunes.
There’s a recent Moonshine boom in this area; Ole Smoky Moonshine in Gatlinburg is at the top of the heap and is now being distributed internationally. Sugarlands Distilling Company is joining the ranks of Ole Smoky Moonshine and Davy Crocketts Tennessee Whiskey as something to experience on the Parkway in Gatlinburg. Each venue has plenty of atmosphere and entertainment. Winery tours include Sugarland Cellars, Bootleggers Homemade Winery and Smoky Mountain Winery, which showcase local wine produced in Gatlinburg.
On April 12, the Smoky Mountain Winefest will feature wineries from across the state. They will provide samples of their labels along with local chefs preparing food for pairings.
Another big party, which is a salute to Gatlinburg’s German heritage, is Oktoberfest. This Gatlinburg festival features Bavarian-style food, a beer garden, music and live entertainment.
Gatlinburg isn’t all about beer, barbecue, beans and cornbread. The Lodge at Buckberry Creek can brag on a AAA Four-Diamond rating for both its lodge and restaurant. Banquets at Buckberry are unforgettable as its lavish buffets and formal sit-down dinners are enhanced by a rustic elegance and a dramatic Smoky Mountains’ backdrop.
Meanwhile, Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen and Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Restaurant and Hotel will be welcoming groups this summer at The Island in Pigeon Forge.
TRI-CITIES
Bristol, known its NASCAR’s race track, has two new restaurants opening: Quaker Steak and Lube and Cootie Brown’s! Yet the upscale Troutdale Dining Room, housed in a beautifully restored 1850 Victorian house, can also accommodate large groups.
Fresh farm produce is vividly displayed at the Johnson City Farmers Market from mid-May to October. Such seasonal goodness can be tasted at local eateries like Salt ’n’ Pepper Creole Cajun Southern Soul Food, and a Tupelo Honey Cafe will open this spring. Meanwhile, Chef Jean-Claude Seruga awes groups at The Millennium Centre.
Kingsport recently became home to Reedy Creek Vineyards and Winery, located at the MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort and Convention Center. It even has a wine cellar/meeting room.
Eileen Robinson Smith has been writing about the travel industry for more than 30 years.
