One of the good things (among many) of being a proud graduate of University School of Nashville is having at least a meager working knowledge of a few Yiddish words and phrases, some of which are just the best way to describe a certain emotion or occurrence. Beyond the prosaic “mensch” or “oy vey,” a well-placed use of “fercockt” or “shmegegge” at the right time can really add some color to a conversation.
So I was quite prepared when I saw a thread of conversation online asking about how in the world the Gordon Jewish Community Center could throw a Kosher Hot Chicken Festival. Lard is pretty much accepted as a primary ingredient in the best hot chicken, and that’s pretty dang far from kosher.
But festival organizer Stuart Wiston had the quick answer to that conundrum with his suggestion of using schmaltz, literally frying chicken in chicken fat to create the essence of poultry. This year’s festival will be the second edition and will be held at the JCC on Nov. 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Several hundred people attended the Kosher Hot Chicken Festival last year to enjoy food prepared in a kosher fashion by Bolton’s, but there were only two teams in the amateur competition. This year, they’re hoping for a lot more competitors and more vendors to serve the masses. If you think you’ve got the right stuff, come out to compete or just to fress on some fine bird. Interested parties should contact Wiston via email at KosherHotChicken@gmail.com.
In other spicy chicken news, this weekend is the seventh annual Music City Hot Wing Festival, going on Saturday, Aug. 6, from noon 8 p.m. at Cumberland Park downtown. In addition to live music performances all day, there will be amateur cooking contests, wing-eating competitions, food trucks and crafts vendors on site. The headline musical act is the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, who should be worth the $15 price of general admission just by themselves.
Other ticketing levels include all-you-can eat samples from the competitors and the VIP experience with free beer, stage access and private restrooms. Head down to the park between the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge for a weekend of spicy chicken and good times.
