As someone who just celebrated a birthday for a year ending in a zero, I’m definitely aware of momentous milestones. Three longtime local favorite events are celebrating major anniversaries, and none show signs of slowing down. Read on for the details.
This year’s guest chef series at The Band Box at First Horizon Park kind of snuck up on me, so I missed out on sharing the info that chef Andy Little was the leadoff hitter earlier this month. The chef at the impending Sally’s Stay Awhile took over the kitchen of the right-field bar to serve up a decadent Sloppy Joe Chopped Cheese sandwich to kick off the 2026 series, where guest chefs will offer their riffs on classic ballpark fare at every Thursday night home game this season.
They called the top half of the batting order of the 1927 Yankees “Murderers’ Row,” but Ruth, Gehrig, et al. didn’t have anything on the 10th anniversary edition of The Band Box series. Here’s who will be stepping up to the plate:
May 28: Julio Hernandez — Maiz de la Vida
June 11: Dylan Field — Brave Idiot
June 25: Will Mondros — Turkey and the Wolf
July 2: Matt Stanzel — Friends in Low Places
Aug. 13: May & Kayla Palmer — Bagelshop
Sept. 3: Bryan Lee Weaver — Redheaded Stranger
Sept. 17: Josh Habiger — Bastion
All you need to do to enjoy these elevated ballpark meals is get into the stadium, so grab your tickets soon!
Music City Hot Chicken Festival's annual fire truck parade
This year will be the 20th edition of the Music City Hot Chicken Festival, founded by former Mayor Bill Purcell to celebrate Nashville’s most famous food. He was (and is, presumably) a believer that the city should eat the hottest food on the hottest day of the year, so the family-friendly event will again take place on July 4. The Saturday will kick off with a parade of antique fire trucks to set the tone for the infernal food to follow, and the free festival itself runs from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. in East Park at 700 Woodland St.
In addition to free samples plus additional food and drink for sale during the day, the festival also features an extremely competitive amateur cooking competition. A panel of celebrity judges will pick a winner based on appearance, taste and sheer heat level. Entrants must be amateur chefs at least 18 years old and applications are due by June 20. Check out the rules and find the entry form at the event website.
The finished fiery fowl will be presented to an esteemed panel of celebrity judges, who will expertly assess every entry based on appearance, taste and heat level. The willing team will be awarded the coveted trophy and assume the mantle of Hot Chicken Mastery. Applications are open to Nashville-based amateur competitors ages 18 and up until June 20. The rules and application form can be found here.
Finally, The Nashville Food Project’s major annual fundraiser, Nourish, celebrates 15 years of bringing together local chefs to cook and raise money to support NFP’s efforts to fight food insecurity in Middle Tennessee. This year’s event will take place on Thursday, July 16, at Marathon Music Works starting at 5:30 p.m.
Chris and Emma Biard of S.S. Gai are serving as lead chefs for 2026, and they have assembled a talented bunch of friends to help out with the multicourse meal. They’ll be joined by Son Pham of ELEVEN11, Sam Jett from Audrey, Noko’s Junior Vo, Michael Hanna from St. Vito Focacceria and Mama Bread herself, Jennifer Latham.
Several different ticketing and support levels are available, and higher levels include invitations to a special Patron’s Party on Sunday, June 18, at City House beginning at 6 p.m. Chef Tandy Wilson is a longtime supporter of The Nashville Food Project, so you know he’ll put on a great event for the patrons. Reserve your tickets at the Nourish website today.
