It’s become a thing lately for music festivals to concentrate more on their food options, beyond just the traditional carnival fare that used to be the norm at an outdoor show. Back when I used to attend Jazz Fest in New Orleans regularly, trips to Food Tent 2 for crawfish beignets were almost as important when planning the itinerary as which band was headlining at the Acura stage. (I mean, I can catch John Mayer just about anywhere, but those little fritters ...) I’ll be attending Bourbon & Beyond in Louisville later this year, where the festival organizers have made the veneration of Kentucky brown liquor almost as much of a priority as catching Sting or Robert Plant.
At the Pilgrimage Festival, coming to The Park at Harlinsdale in Franklin this fall Sept. 22-23, they are planning some fantastic food offerings to accompany local headliners like Jack White and Chris Stapleton. The general population will be able to enjoy a roster of food vendors and trucks like Jim n’ Nick’s, Puckett’s, Burger Republic, Funk Seoul Brother and Retro Sno, in addition to a robust offering of brews thanks to the inclusion of the Bell’s Brewery Craft Beer Hall. Invited brewer partners include Wiseacre, Jackalope and Good People, along with a nice selection of Bell’s beers.
But the real special culinary experience will be reserved for those P’s who are V.I. in the VIP Village. If you shell out for the high-level ticket, you’ll have access to a rotating selection of cuisine prepared live on site by some of the city’s favorite chefs, using a larder of whole meats, fish, and seasonal vegetables, throughout the day. The VIP food will be curated by Strategic Hospitality, specifically under the auspices of their recent hire, Levon Wallace. Chef Wallace has made himself a beloved fixture of the Nashville restaurant scene, and his connections have allowed Strategic to organize a murderers’ row of chefs to cook at multiple booths that will rotate in two-hour blocks from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days of the festival.
Here’s the list of talented culinarians who have already committed to provide the comestibles for the VIPs while the rest of the crowd enjoys their bread and circuses:
Lisa White (L.A. Jackson & Killebrew)
Levon Wallace (Strategic Hospitality)
Martin’s Bar-B-Q Joint
Arnold’s Country Kitchen
Trevor Moran (Strategic Hospitality)
Matt Bolus (The 404 Kitchen)
Nathan Duensing (Marsh House)
Taqueria Andrea
Josh Habiger (Bastion)
Julia Sullivan (Henrietta Red)
Gerard Craft (Pastaria Nashville)
Mayme & Wes Parker (Street Provisions)
Trey Brunett & Jessica Benefeld (Two Ten Jack)
Dang, that reads like the long list for the James Beard Awards! An even more premium ticket level is sponsored by Blackberry Farm, so you know that everything will be first-class, including all the amenities provided in the VIP Village Experience, plus even more exclusive access to live performances, additional Blackberry Farm culinary and beverage delights at Pilgrimage and a private Friday night banquet. Time to start playing that Powerball!
