events & experiences
Have questions about a certain event, what your ticket includes or want to learn more about a daily schedule? Send us an email! hello@mcfwf.com
intimate dinner Series
April 21, 22 and 23 at Restaurants Around Town
Some of Nashville’s most exceptional restaurants and chefs will invite guests to indulge in specialty dinners across the city at select establishments featuring beverage pairings, chef led conversations, creative menus and more.
SOUTHERN FRIED HOOTENANNY
FRIDAY, APRIL 24 • 6-9 PM • Centennial Park
Get ready to kick up your heels and loosen your belt—Southern Fried Hootenanny, presented by Waldo’s Chicken & Beer, is a celebration of bold Southern flavor, live music, and good times. Sample down-home dishes from 25+ top local restaurants, sip craft cocktails made with local spirits, and explore a whiskey & beer garden. Whether you’re here for the food, the whiskey, or just the fun, Hootenanny serves up a night of unforgettable Southern hospitality.
MAIN STAGE
8:15 PM
6:00 PM
CULINARY DEMO STAGE
6:45 PM
Chefs Shane Nasby of Cledis Burgers and Alex Belew of Chinwag join forces to debut their distinct takes on the ultimate burger as they gear up to open their new Murfreesboro restaurant.
7:30 PM
Led by Kobe Desmet, this guided tasting explores the history of agave spirits, breaking down the differences between tequila and mezcal while highlighting their unique flavor profiles.
8:00 PM
Representatives from Cliff’s Oyster Bar, Hall’s Catch, and The Southern Steak & Oyster compete to shuck a dozen oysters the fastest—cleanly and flawlessly—before serving their signature oysters for the crowd to enjoy.
WINE SEMINAR STAGE
6:20 PM
Kacey Turner takes you on a tour of Italy through Trinchero Family Estates’ wines.
7:30 pm
Steve Lucarelli shares Hedges’ sustainability initiatives while informing guests of the effects the Great Missoula Floods had on the wine-growing region in Washington.
big gay brunch
Round out our spring festival weekend with delicious food, brunch cocktails and over-the-top entertainment at your choice of a handful of local establishments hosting their version of the biggest, loudest and proudest brunches in town!
saturday April 25, 2026
times vary
Select Establishments throughout Nashville, Tennessee
GRAND TASTING
SATURDAY, APRIL 25 • 5:30-9:30 PM • Centennial Park
Saturday will host the festival’s Grand Tasting with sampling booths from 100+ local restaurants, wines and sponsoring beverage brands. Guests will get to watch our signature Mixology Competition take place, experience specialty wine seminars, and watch chef demos all while enjoying unlimited food. Then, cast your vote for the Best Bite of the Night.
MAIN STAGE
5:30 & 8:30 PM
DJ Jared Corder sets the vibe all night long!
8:00 PM
Catch all the action as six of Nashville’s best bartenders whip up their version of the best cocktail in town. The twist? A secret ingredient! Our panel of judges will crown the Best Mixologist in town - and select guests will get to try sips of the delicious cocktails they’ve whipped up.
culinary demo stage
6:30 PM
Moderated by Anas Saba of Nashville Hidden Gems, chefs Vivek Surti (Tailor), Ana Aguilar (Tantísimo), and Shivani Darsinos (Cafe Babu) share candid insights on the challenges, triumphs, and cultural impact of building immigrant-owned restaurants in Nashville
7:30 PM
Chef Junior Vo of Noko and Kase x Noko reveals the fundamentals of crafting perfect nigiri, offering a rare glimpse into the technique and precision behind one of Nashville’s most sought-after dining experiences.
WINE SEMINAR STAGE
6:00 PM
Dante Riboli shares the legacy of his family’s winery and the family moto of “Sempre avanti” as it relates to resilience in the wine business.
7:00 PM
Kacey Turner takes you on a tour of Italy through Trinchero Family Estates’ red wines.
7:45 PM
Thomas Pennachetti introduces the Niagara Peninsula wine region, the largest wine-growing region in North America east of California. He will highlight how Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment interact to define this emerging cool-climate region, focusing on the unique terroir of his family’s estate, Cave Spring Vineyard.
FOOD FAIRE
SUNDAY, APRIL 26 • 11AM-3PM • Centennial Park
Eat and shop until you drop at Food Faire, a gourmet market of locally made provisions. Peruse dozens of talented artisans and vendors selling goods, snacks and specialty treats. Plus, make sure to check out the main stage for chef demonstrations, panels, spirit seminars, local cookbook author signings, live music and more!
Join us for Gospel Brunch from 11am to 1pm for bottomless brunch bites and sips and dedicated seating for our Gospel Brunch performances!
MAIN STAGE
11:15 AM
12:15 PM
1:00 PM
2:30 PM
1:45 PM
culinary demo stage
11:30 AM
Moderated by Erin Murray of The Local Palate, celebrated authors Katie Jacobs, Mignon Francois, Cortney LaCorte, and Lokelani Alabanza discuss the inspiration, process, and personal stories that bring their cookbooks to life.
12:30 PM
Brian Morris (Hattie B’s) and Davis Reese (Joyland) team up to demo their limited-edition Hot Chicken BLT Biscuit, sharing the creativity and fun behind cross-restaurant collaboration.
1:45 PM
Author and performer Hannah Dasher brings her signature charm to the stage with a live demo from her new cookbook, Stand By Your Pan, featuring nostalgic, budget-friendly comfort food with a modern twist.
2:30 PM
Try new Nature Made® SuperGreens and hear from their nutrition expert on tips to help you have a good gut day!
iron fork
November 2026
Check back soon for our location announcement!
The Nashville Scene’s Annual Iron Fork Chef Competition, presented by US Foods, returns with top chefs from Music City's best restaurants battling it out to vie for the coveted Iron Fork Champions trophy and entry to the World Food Championships. Modeled after the popular Food Network television show, our chefs will have one hour to shop the pantry and prepare a dish to impress our panel of guest judges! The catch?
A Secret Ingredient.
Guests of the event will get to watch the heated competition in real time as they walk around and enjoy unlimited sips and samples of local restaurants, cocktails, wines and more!