Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp to Also Host Soundbites of Nashville Fundraising Dinner to Benefit James Beard Foundation
NASHVILLE – Nashville’s culinary scene and the city’s creative chefs will get a national spotlight when the famed James Beard Foundation comes to Music City for two events in March, the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp announced today.
The James Beard Restaurant and Chef Award Nominees will be announced on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at a 9 a.m. event at Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum. In addition to announcing the final list of nominees from a longer list of semifinalists, the James Beard Foundation will also announce this year’s Leadership Award winners and the Lifetime Achievement Award and Humanitarian of the Year Award winners. Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria, a 2023 James Beard Award Semifinalist, will serve cinnamon rolls, while local favorites Loveless Cafe will serve biscuits and Biscuit Love will provide “Bonuts.”
To help kick off the festivities, the NCVC is hosting a fundraising dinner, “Soundbites of Nashville,” that will feature 10 of the city’s creative chefs, including two who are 2023 James Beard Award Semifinalists and several who are past semifinalists, nominees, and winners. Soundbites is an only-in-Nashville experience benefitting the James Beard Foundation and Music City Inc. The fundraiser will take place the night before, on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Four Seasons Hotel Nashville Grand Ballroom. Attendees will savor fare from an array of Nashville’s best chefs and discover the stories behind the songs with a performance from GRAMMY-nominated songwriter Laura Veltz. All participating chefs will be in attendance and available to guests. Signature cocktail provided by Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey. Cost: $250 per ticket.
“We look forward to highlighting Nashville’s growing culinary advancements by partnering with one of the most recognized names in American dining for the Friends of James Beard Benefit, as well as the nominee announcement,” said Butch Spyridon, CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “I want to give a special word of thanks to Pat Martin for pushing us to build the relationship with the James Beard Foundation and for also being one of the participating chefs. Hosting the James Beard Foundation for the first time is another step toward solidifying Nashville’s reputation as a world-class dining destination and is a huge validation of what we all already know about Nashville’s incredible dining scene.”
The James Beard Awards, sometimes referred to as the “Oscars” of the food world, are among the country’s most prestigious honors recognizing outstanding achievement in the culinary and food media industries. The program includes the Restaurant and Chef Awards, Media Awards (Book, Broadcast Media, and Journalism), Leadership Awards, and the Lifetime Achievement and Humanitarian of the Year Awards. Receiving acknowledgment from these prestigious honors not only indicates industry excellence but a candidate’s positive impact within their community.
Nashville-based chefs participating in the Soundbites fundraiser include the following:
- James Beard Award Winner Sean Brock of Audrey, The Continental, Joyland and June
- James Beard Award Winner Maneet Chauhan of Chauhan Ale and Masala House, Tansuo and The Mockingbird
- Owner André Prince Jeffries of Prince’s Hot Chicken, JBF America’s Classics Award Winner
- James Beard Award Nominee Philip Krajeck of Rolf & Daughters and Folk
- 2023 James Beard Award Semifinalist Noelle Marchetti of Yolan
- Pitmaster Pat Martin of Martin’s Bar-B-Que-Joint and Hugh-Baby’s BBQ & Burger Shop
- 2023 James Beard Award Semifinalist Trevor Moran of Locust
- James Beard Award Nominee Julia Sullivan of Henrietta Red
- James Beard Award Semifinalist Vivek T. Surti of TAILOR
- Chef Aniello Turco of Mimo Restaurant and Bar
Marchetti and Moran are among the five Nashville names who made the 2023 James Beard Awards semifinalists list released in January:
- Outstanding Restaurateur: Clinton Gray, Derrick Moore and Emanuel Reed with Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria
- Emerging Chef: Julio Hernandez of Maiz de la Vida
- Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker: Noelle Marchetti of Yolan
- Best Chef Southeast: Josh Habiger of Bastion and Trevor Moran of Locust
For more information, visit visitmusiccity.com/soundbites.
The James Beard Foundation
The James Beard Foundation (JBF) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that celebrates and supports the people behind America’s food culture, while pushing for new standards in the restaurant industry to create a future where all have the opportunity to thrive. Established over 30 years ago, the Foundation has highlighted the centrality of food culture in our daily lives and is committed to supporting a resilient and flourishing industry that honors its diverse communities. By amplifying new voices, celebrating those leading the way, and supporting those on the path to do so, the Foundation is working to create a more equitable and sustainable future—what we call Good Food for Good®. JBF brings its mission to life through the annual Awards, industry and community-focused programs, advocacy, partnerships, and events across the country. For the first time in the Foundation’s history, exceptional culinary talent, industry leaders, and visitors from NYC and beyond can experience unforgettable dining and educational programming at PLATFORM by JBF—and be the first to try new food concepts at the Good To Go by JBF kiosk—inspiring food and beverage devotees for decades to come. Learn more at jamesbeard.org, sign up for our newsletter, and follow @beardfoundation on social media.
The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp and Visit Music City
The mission of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp and Visit Music City is to maximize the economic contribution of the convention and tourism industry to the community by developing and marketing Nashville as a premier destination. Visit the NCVC’s website at www.visitmusiccity.com and follow us on social media @VisitMusicCity.