all-star talent

At MCFW, we’re all about highlighting the exceptional talent that makes our city sing. From celebrated chefs, wine connoisseurs, master mixologists, creative vendors and culinary storytellers — you’ll find no shortage of stars at the festival.

Person serving pasta on a ceramic plate over a wooden cutting board, with a stove and saucepan nearby.

Check out our 2025 lineup, and stay tuned for 2026 participants!

  • A man with a beard and short brown hair, smiling, wearing a navy blue shirt and a light-colored apron, leaning on a wooden fence outdoors with green trees and grass in the background.

    Chris Crary, 1 Hotel Nashville

    FEAST Supper Host Chef and Featured Iron Fork Chef Competitor

  • A female chef wearing a black uniform with an Italian flag on the collar and a patterned headscarf, smiling with arms crossed outside a restaurant.

    Giovanna Orsino, Tutti da Gio

    Featured Iron Fork Chef Competitor

  • A man with a goatee wearing a black cap and a white graphic t-shirt, standing inside a well-lit room with bookshelves and a mirror in the background.

    Edgar Victoria, Alebrije

    Featured Iron Fork Chef Competitor

  • A smiling woman in a black shirt with a pink headband, sitting at a table in a restaurant with empty chairs and tables in the background.

    Jess Lambert, etch

    Featured Iron Fork Chef Competitor

  • A man with a beard smiling and winking at the camera, resting his head on his left hand. He is wearing a baseball cap with a logo and an apron with a badge that says "LOCKELAND TABLE" and an embroidered patch of a roaring dog.

    hal holden-bache, lockeland table

    FEAST Supper Host Chef

  • Young man with glasses and tattoos wearing a black shirt, apron, and chain necklace sitting indoors at night.

    dung "junior" vo, Noko

    FEAST Supper Host Chef and featured at the Grand Tasting

  • A man standing inside a store or restaurant, smiling and posing with his hands on his hips, wearing a navy vest over a light-colored shirt. Behind him is a wooden wall decorated with sports pennants and paintings, including a portrait of a woman holding a chicken.

    mark waldo, waldo's chicken and beer

    Host of Waldo & Friends, a live-fire cooking experience

  • A smiling man with a beard and tattooed arm holding a tray of fried chicken, pickles, and rolls outside near a fence and parked car.

    Brian Morris, Hattie B's Hot Chicken

    Featured at the Grand Tasting and hosting Demo at Food Faire

  • A smiling woman chef wearing a dark gray chef coat in a kitchen with red pendant lights overhead.

    deb paquette, etch

    Featured at the Grand Tasting

  • A woman holds a trophy while celebrating with a man in a light suit, surrounded by people, in a room with a wall decorated with guitars and musical instruments.

    Jess Benefield, Two Ten Jack

    Iron Fork Guest Judge and Featured at the Grand Tasting

  • Smiling man in apron at restaurant table.

    Vivek Surti, Tailor

    Intimate Dinner Host

  • A male chef in a white chef's coat standing outdoors with trees in the background, smiling with hands on hips.

    mark grimes, deacon's new south

    Intimate Dinner Host and Featured at the Grand Tasting

  • A smiling man with glasses and short hair, wearing a black button-up shirt, standing against a plain white wall.

    sean finley, high adventure company

    Intimate Dinner Host and Featured at the Grand Tasting

  • A smiling man wearing glasses, a black T-shirt, and a blue cap with 'EL JEFE' written on it, standing in front of shelves filled with white bags.

    julio hernandez, maiz de la vida

    Intimate Dinner Host, featured at the Grand Tasting and Food Faire Demo

  • Smiling woman with glasses and headband wearing a chef's coat and apron in a restaurant with decorative wood wall art.

    Kristin Beringson, Henley

    Featured at the Grand Tasting

  • Smiling man with curly blond hair in a bakery kitchen, wearing a black apron with blue pattern, behind trays of baked goods.

    Hadley Long, Margot Cafe & Bar

    Intimate Dinner Host and Featured at the Grand Tasting

  • A smiling man wearing glasses, a black shirt, and denim apron stands in front of shelves with stacked white plates and bowls in a restaurant or kitchen setting.

    Arnold Myint, International Market

    Big Gay Brunch Host, Featured at the Grand Tasting and Food Faire Panel

  • Smiling woman with short curly dark hair wearing a white T-shirt and apron in a bakery kitchen.

    Margot McCormack, Margot Cafe & Bar

    Intimate Dinner Host and Featured at the Grand Tasting

  • A smiling man sitting at a table in a restaurant, holding a cup of coffee. He is wearing glasses, a green T-shirt, and a wristwatch. The background features a patterned wall with kitchen utensils.

    John Currence, Big Bad Breakfast

    Waldo & Friends, a live-fire cooking experience

  • A smiling man wearing a black cap and t-shirt standing inside a store with outdoor seating visible through a window behind him.

    Andrew Dodd, Little Hats Market

    Waldo & Friends, a live-fire cooking experience

  • A smiling middle-aged man with gray hair, wearing a black shirt and a watch, sitting at a wooden table outside, with a blurry outdoor background.

    Anthony Deluca, Deluca's Pizzeria

    Waldo & Friends, a live-fire cooking experience

  • A smiling man with gray hair and a beard, wearing a black shirt with a logo, standing inside a restaurant with his arms crossed, showing colorful tattoos on both arms. The background includes people dining and wooden decorations.

    Pete Blohme, Panini Pete's Cafe and Market

    Waldo & Friends, a live-fire cooking experience

  • A man with glasses and a beard, wearing a black shirt and a blue apron, standing indoors near a wall with a patterned background, smiling at the camera.

    Jeffery Martin, Up Hospitality Partners

    Featured at the Grand Tasting 

  • A male chef standing inside a restaurant with wooden tables, chairs, and decorative wallpaper, wearing a white shirt and a dark apron.

    Josh Begley, Indaco

    Featured at the Grand Tasting

  • Chef Brian Riggenbach and Mikey Corona, Tio Fun and The Mockingbird

    Featured at the Grand Tasting

  • A smiling woman in a gray chef's jacket standing outdoors near a building with large windows.

    Shelby Briggs, 8th and Roast

    Featured at Food Faire Main Stage

  • A smiling man with short light brown hair and light facial hair, wearing a black t-shirt with 'eighth and roast' printed on it, standing against a plain white background.

    Max Oden, 8th and Roast

    Featured at Food Faire Main Stage

  • Smiling bald man with a beard, wearing a beige knit sweater and a gray shirt, against a plain white background.

    Q Taylor, 8th and Roast

    Featured at Food Faire Main Stage

  • A smiling man with a beard and styled hair, wearing a beige jacket over a white shirt, standing against a plain light background.

    Seth Wood, 8th and Roast

    Featured at Food Faire Main Stage

  • Chef in a commercial kitchen preparing a plated dish with a piece of meat and a vegetable, smiling and looking down, surrounded by kitchen equipment and steam.

    Alfredo Bueno, 888

    Featured at the Grand Tasting

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