Iron Fork Is Returning, and It’s Bought a New Dwelling! | Bites

Even earlier than I began writing about meals right here on the Scene, I used to be an enormous fan of how far the publication went to exalt native cooks within the pages, on-line and thru particular occasions. I attended the very first Iron Fork competitors again in 2008 once I was nonetheless a civilian, and I vividly keep in mind how the primary champion Deb Paquette jumped into cooking the key ingredient whereas the assembled crowd within the Stadium Membership on the stadium previously generally known as LP Discipline questioned what the hell a fiddlehead fern was.

Via the years, Iron Fork has had a number of properties, with the Nation Music Corridor of Fame and Museum and the Musicians’ Corridor of Fame serving as probably the most frequent hosts. There have been back-to-back editions held at Rocketown and the Commodore Ballroom at Vanderbilt. We took the celebration open air to First Horizon Park twice, and once more final 12 months when the occasion was held in Centennial Park as a part of the Music Metropolis Meals & Wine Competition. 

Whereas Iron Fork was a enjoyable element of the pageant, we determined it wanted its personal devoted highlight, so the Scene has determined to make it a stand-alone occasion this 12 months — on Thursday, Nov. 12. And for the primary time, we’re bringing the occasion nearer to the Scene’s headquarters and the cultural coronary heart of a lot of our readership and tales: We’re going to the East Facet!

Iron Fork 2026 will happen at Harken Corridor, the stunning live performance corridor and occasions venue at 514 Madison Station Blvd. We’ll remodel the principle corridor right into a culinary mosh pit as 4 cooks and their groups vie for the coveted title of Iron Fork champion. We’ve assembled a outstanding slate of opponents for this 12 months. 

Here is the lineup:

In the event you’ve been attempting to attain a coveted reservation to expertise chef Dung “Junior” Vo’s knife abilities and heat hospitality at Kase x Noko, don’t plan to go to his restaurant on Nov. 12 — as a result of he’ll be cooking at Iron Fork! Representing his omakase restaurant in addition to Noko and the upcoming Noko Yaki, Junior might be a formidable foe.

However he’ll have loads of powerful competitors, together with a fast-rising (literal) couple of cooks who first met within the kitchen at Husk — and have been making waves with their enjoyable farm-to-table method towards Latin delicacies at their restaurant, Tantísimo. I can’t keep in mind if we’ve ever had a married couple competing as co-chefs at Iron Fork earlier than, however I’m betting that Ana Aguilar and Josh Cook dinner will signify themselves and their restaurant fairly nicely.

Becoming a member of the fray to signify Limo Peruvian Eatery might be chef-owner Marcio Florez. Followers of his East Nashville restaurant can’t get sufficient of the chef’s passionate takes on the delicacies of his homeland, and his expertise with ceviches and crudos would possibly come in useful contemplating the restricted time and tools that confronts Iron Fork contestants. His expertise beginning out in a meals truck must also be useful whereas making ready meals in a small area with a number of spectators watching his each transfer.

The ultimate contestant is already a winner, having earned his spot by triumphing within the “Battle of the Greatest Chew” throughout this 12 months’s Music Metropolis Meals & Wine Competition within the spring. Attendees on the Grand Tasting chosen chef Alfredo Bueno’s hand roll providing as the highest small plate of the night, incomes him the suitable to signify 888 at Iron Fork. I’ve watched chef Bueno break down a whole 200-plus-pound tuna in lower than an hour, so I wouldn’t wager in opposition to him!

4 chef groups, one secret ingredient, one hour, one champion! Along with the coveted trophy, the winner will earn an entry into the 2027 World Meals Championships.

Your ticket contains limitless samples from 20 favourite native eating places, together with 888, A-Roi, Dos Santos, etch | and so on., Gus’s Fried Hen, Halls Catch, Indaco, Limo Peruvian Eatery, Mere Bulles, Oku, Prime + Correct, Puesto, Soho Home, Sunda and Zaytinya.

Beverage choices embody curated wine pairings from Corkdorks, beer and craft cocktail samples, and an open bar for extra substantial drinks. We’ll even be holding a stay public sale to boost cash for nonprofit companions Have fun Nashville and Second Harvest Meals Financial institution. Public sale winners will get the possibility to get pleasure from the very same dish because the judges — and talking from expertise, that’s some wonderful consuming! Our MCs this 12 months might be Emmy-nominated TV host and writer Jerome Moore, and the Scene‘s personal editor-in-chief D. Patrick Rodgers.

Tickets are restricted, so seize yours at this time!