Out-of-town chefs seem to love to visit Nashville for culinary collab events. But it’s rare for a newer restaurant to be able to draw big-name talent as soon after opening as Bacco has for its upcoming Sunday Supper series, which they're calling “The Big Night.” Of course, it probably doesn’t hurt that Bacco is the Tuscan-inspired steakhouse at the tony Four Seasons Hotel Nashville.
Once a month from August through December, guest chefs will join executive chef Derek Simcik and his staff in the Bacco kitchen to create a menu that revolves around a specific protein and features a different theme. Proceeds from the dinners will benefit a very worthy charity, No Kid Hungry.
Leading off the series on Aug. 9 will be chef Mei Lin and Master of Sake Stuart Morris as they feature the cow as their primary ingredient. Chef Lin is a former Top Chef champion and has been recognized by the James Beard Foundation and numerous national publications for her culinary prowess. Morris is one of the few non-Japanese natives to earn the coveted title of Master of Sake.
On Sept. 13, chef Matt Peters will team up with Nishaan Chavda as sommelier for a dinner that pays homage to the pig. Peters is the first American chef in history to win the prestigious Bocuse d’Or culinary competition. Chavda worked at The French Laundry and Per Se before joining chef Michael Mina’s restaurant group. He also co-founded Choy in Nashville alongside Michelin-starred chef Brandon Jew, and now leads operations for Bacco.
Fowl is on the menu on Oct. 25 as chef Christophe De Lellis teams up with Bad Idea owner/sommelier Alex Burch for a dinner that should be just ducky. Paris-born De Lellis is the executive chef of Mamani and culinary director for Dallas-based hospitality group Feels Like Home, overseeing concepts including Namo, Bar Colette, The Bread Club and Mamani. He was also the youngest executive chef in Joël Robuchon’s global restaurant portfolio at the age of 27.
Another Top Chef alum, Joe Sasto, will lead the kitchen on Nov. 15 when lamb will be the featured protein. Sasto will be joined by David Stasko as his sommelier. Sasto has worked in acclaimed kitchens like Quince and Lazy Bear, and now he is an internet stalwart and television culinary star. Stasko is the lead somm at Bacco, so it will be nice to see what he does with the home-field advantage.
On Dec. 13 chef Adam Sobel and Master Sommelier Jeremy Shanker will team up to present the traditional Italian holiday seafood fest, the Feast of Seven Fishes. Chef Soble is CIA-trained and has worked under Daniel Boulud, Guy Savoy and Michael Mina. Jeremy Shanker is a master sommelier and former corporate wine director for chef Michael Mina’s restaurant group, where he oversaw wine programs across 30-plus restaurants in the United States and Dubai and is one of the youngest professionals to earn the Master Sommelier title.
Tickets to The Big Night dinners will be $150 per person, including a multicourse family-style dinner plus beverage pairings; $30 of each ticket will go to No Kid Hungry. Reservations for the August experience can be made here, and for the September experience here.
Complimentary valet parking is available for guests dining at Bacco.
Another fun collaboration is coming up on Monday, June 29, as the bar team at Attaboy is popping up at the new Fishmonger location in Wedgewood-Houston from 5 until 10 p.m. for a "Mint Condition" party.
Expect a half-dozen variations on the mojito that should be ideal pairings for Fishmonger’s flavorful Polynesian-inspired cuisine. There’s no cover or anything. Just show up at 475 Gray St. ready to have some fun!
