Chauhan to Host 'Brown in the South' Dinner

When people ask me where to eat at various Southern culinary centers, it’s surprising how many suggestions I offer that feature chefs who have immigrated to the area from India. In Asheville, N.C., I’m always going to mention Meherwan Irani of Chai Pani, while Maneet Chauhan always makes my short list of most inventive Nashville chefs. Any trip to Oxford, Miss., has to include a stop by Snackbar to eat with Vish Bhatt, and whenever I list the top five versions of fried chicken I’ve ever enjoyed, there’s always a spot on the roster for the Kerala fried bird from Asha Gomez of Third Space in Atlanta.

In my mind, the common element between all these chefs isn’t necessarily that they are from India; it’s that they prepare some of the most creative and delicious food you can find in a restaurant of any genre. And the James Beard Foundation agrees with me, as this group represents eleven nominations for their chef awards. So it’s pretty amazing that Nashville will have the opportunity to host the second edition of the “Brown in the South” dinner series coming up on Monday, Aug. 13, at Chauhan Ale & Masala House at 123 12th Ave. N.

The series is the brainchild of Irani, who came up with the idea of bringing together some of his talented chef friends to showcase their South Asian cultures, flavors and how they combine aspects of the cuisines of their home countries with their new adopted region. While I haven’t yet been fortunate enough to eat at chef Cheetie Kumar’s restaurant Garland in Raleigh, N.C.,I’ve heard great things and am excited that she’ll be joining this august group in August for the upcoming dinner.

The chefs aim to introduce guests to a taste of “Indian Summer” as they prepare a multi-course family style dinner that will concentrate on the bountiful vegetable harvests of Middle Tennessee. Of course it wouldn’t be a full-on Indian celebration without some dancing, so they promise a joyful Bollywood-style party after dinner with drinks and dancing.

I spoke with Bhatt, Chauhan and Irani about the upcoming event while I was at the recent Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, and they told me they have many reasons for coming up with this series. First and foremost, they really enjoy each others’ company and love the chance to share kitchens whenever they have the opportunity. Secondly, they want to showcase their slice of the immigrant experience living in the South, how they have all developed successful restaurants in some of the most competitive culinary cities in the region. Lastly, they want to introduce new diners to the flavors they grew up cooking, while demonstrating the new spins they have added to traditional South Asian cuisine. The chefs are also active supporters of the Southern Foodways Alliance and have chosen to make the organization the beneficiary of the proceeds from the series. Their first edition of the Brown in the South dinners sold out quickly for a January dinner in Atlanta, and diners from all over the region traveled in to attend.

The dinner starts up at 6:30 p.m., and you’d better plan for a late night of food and fun. Tickets are still available at the event website, but you don’t want to wait to grab your place at the table!