Hell’s Kitchen Season 21 winner Alex Belew and Cledis chef/owner Shane Nasby recently announced that they are launching a new restaurant project together: Chinwag is named after a British slang word meaning “a great conversation between friends.”
How does a $250,000 first prize grab you?
Slated for a summer 2026 opening in The Fountains of Murfreesboro at 1440 Medical Center Parkway, Chinwag will mark a return to the Murfreesboro market for Belew. Before winning the Gordon Ramsey-helmed cooking competition show and subsequently receiving his prize — the position of head chef at Hell's Kitchen at Caesars in Atlantic City — Belew ran a popular fine-dining restaurant named Dallas and Jane just about 10 minutes away from his future home kitchen.
Nasby is also no stranger to competition. He has won numerous burger and barbecue cookoffs and appeared on several “best of” lists, including here at the Scene. The atmosphere at Chinwag won’t be cut-throat, though. Nasby and Belew plan to create an internationally inspired bistro where friends can gather over a table filled with fun food prepared over fire and flavored with smoke. A full bar program will also stimulate conversation and accompany the bistro menu, which is still under development.
Expect the menu to rotate seasonally and for the restaurant to feature visiting guest chefs at collaborative cooking events. For a sneak peek of the space and an entertaining look into the chefs’ relationship, check out this announcement video over on Instagram.
This looks like it will be a boon for the ’Boro and a fun ride for Belew and Nasby!
