The Cledis Red White and Blueberry Burger
Update, Oct. 26: The Cledis team has decided to postpone the Heroes & Friends event until after their second location has opened in Bellevue. We'll update Bites readers with more details when they become available.
Shane Nasby, the proprietor of Cledis, has always had a heart for service. Whether it’s cooking up burgers for the unhoused residents of Nashville or doing something special for veterans, Nasby is always planning charitable things. On Saturday, Nov. 2, from 5 until 7 p.m., Nasby will commemorate all veterans and active-duty members of the community — specifically Cledis' favorite WWII veteran Jerry Neal.
The event is called Heroes & Friends, and proceeds from the evening of fun will go to Operation Stand Down, a cause chosen by Neal because it is the only comprehensive veteran-serving agency in Middle Tennessee that connects veterans with careers, community and crisis services.
“Jerry and I met years ago when he would come into my restaurant and we struck up a conversation and built a friendship,” says Nasby in the official event announcement. “He is a true American hero, having served our country on D-Day. There aren’t many World War II veterans still here, and we wanted to create an opportunity to honor him and allow others to hear his amazing stories."
Mr. Neal served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a pilot in the 8th Air Force during World War II. He piloted a B-24 during the Normandy invasion on D-Day and survived a crash landing in the English Channel. All are welcome to come by and meet Mr. Neal, who recently celebrated his 103rd birthday, and say thank you for his service.
Nasby came up with Heroes & Friends as a way to celebrate Mr. Neal, as well as recognize other veterans and active-duty members in the community. Cledis will feature their popular and patriotic Red, White & Blueberry burger, a delicious grilled onion smashburger with white American cheese, baby arugula, blueberry jam and jalapeño aioli.
Cledis Burgers & Beer is located at 1011 Elm Hill Pike.
Another worthy organization in town is Thistle Farms, an organization dedicated to helping women survivors of trafficking and addiction heal and reclaim their lives. One of their biggest annual fundraisers is the special plated dinner at The Café at Thistle Farms called A Place at the Table. It’s coming up on Tuesday, Nov. 12, with a welcome reception at 6 p.m. followed by a dinner prepared by beloved chef Deb Paquette and Eric Owings, executive chef of The Café at Thistle Farms.
Tickets for the dinner are $125 and are available at the event website.
Finally, a slightly less serious event is the upcoming Chili Cookoff at Fat Bottom Brewing Company in the Nations on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 1 until 4 p.m. All home cooks and tailgaters are invited to bring their A-games and best chili recipes to compete for the titles of Chili King or Queen. Your $50 entry fee includes a table and two chairs to serve from, as well as tasting cups and spoons, a Fat Bottom T-shirt and a six-pack of beer.
The top three winners will get prizes including cash, gift certificates, membership in The Brewers Club and other swag. To enter, contact Jeanne Strout at 615-500-3312. May the best beans win! (Or no beans if you’re going Texas-style.)
