For most people, Robb Report is kind of an aspirational magazine — something you flip through while waiting in the lobby of the bank or a mortgage broker. With actual article titles like “Paris Hilton’s New Custom Private Jet Is Just as Pink as You’d Expect” and “The 14 Most Exciting Yachts at This Year’s Monaco Yacht Show,” the magazine is a fun daydream read.
Except for some people, it’s actually a lifestyle magazine — kind of a Consumer Reports for the elite. So it’s a testament to Nashville’s current position in the zeitgeist that Robb Report has partnered with Porsche Cars North America to put together a version of their traveling roadshow, Culinary Masters. Described as “An Exclusive Weekend of Fine Dining, Live Music, and Hands-On Experiences,” the event will run from Sept. 26 through 28.
While I don’t expect too many Bites readers to grab up last-minute tickets with packages going for $4,500 per couple, just like it’s fun to read the magazine, it’s interesting to see what the participants will experience. Luxury digs at The Joseph in SoBro are included in the cost, along with the opportunity to test drive the latest Porsche Macan EV models, so keep an eye out for those zipping around downtown.
Friday night’s big culinary event is called “Pasta Masters,” featuring iggy’s chef Ryan Poli and Top Chef champion Mei Lin. Guests will enjoy a multicourse dinner along with musical entertainment from American Idol alumnae Grace Leer and Alexis Gomez. Saturday offers a choice of “Magical Moments,” either a behind-the-scenes visit to Lucchese Bootmaker with Shania Twain’s stylist or studio access to watch Nashville recording artist Gable Bradley cut a track that will be recorded, mixed and delivered to the guests within 24 hours.
Saturday evening promises “Flavor by Fire,” an outdoor open-fire cookout at Fontanel. Sean Brock, Houston chef Aaron Bludorn and barbecue legend Pat Martin will prepare the evening's feast with help from other national chefs and local heroes Brian Lea and Leina Horii of Kisser and Babychan, Verlord Laguatan from The Joseph and Trevor Moran from Locust. When I first saw that Pat was participating, I wondered, “Wait, didn’t Margaret Littman write that he was appearing at Southbound in Birmingham that same day?”
Yes, she did, and yes, he is. I wouldn’t put it past Robb Report to charter a chopper to get him here from Birmingham, like how ESPN jets in the celebrity guest pickers on College Game Day. The answer is actually more mundane. Pat’s just gonna haul ass in his truck up I-65 North to make it to the event on time. That’s a true master, right there!
