Meet the 2026 Chefs
Robert Davis
The Harpeth Hotel/1799 Kitchen
Chef de Cuisine
Paired with: Bluegrass Distillers
Dish: Whiskey-washed ribeye with mushroom risotto, smoked bourbon chicken wings, and Tennessee whiskey chocolate truffles
Carey Bringle
Peg Leg Porker
Pitmaster & Owner
Paired with: Peg Leg Porker Spirits
Dish: Shaved beef on crostini with chimichurri
Tobit "TJ" Harvey Jr
TJ's Cheesecake Chronicles
Owner and Lead Cheesecake Artist
Paired with: Bardstown Bourbon Company
Dish: Micro mini cheesecakes in pecan bourbon, mandarin orange, peanut butter chocolate chip, blueberry coconut supreme, and triple chocolate
Jess Lambert
etch
Executive Chef
Paired with: Found North
Dish: Duck confit tart, Found North banana caramel, pecan praline crumble, pickled cherries, and bruleed banana
Jeffrey Martin
Karrington Rowe
Executive Chef & Owner
Paired with: Alma del Jaguar
Dish: Duck confit with brown butter cornbread and hot pepper jelly
Tommy Hartzog
Black Rabbit
Managing Partner
Paired with: Starlight Distillery
Dish: Braised beef, potato cake, celeriac puree, and pickled carrot
Steve Agosto
Prime + Proper
Executive Chef
Paired with: Leiper's Fork Distillery
Dish: Steak and frites: whiskey-aged New York strip, Leiper's Fork demi, pommes paille
Brian Morris
Hattie B's
Executive Chef
Paired with: Barrell Craft Spirits
Dish: The Hattie Melt Slider: fried sweet and smoky chicken breast on toasted brioche, patty melt style, with Tillamook cheddar, kosher pickles, and HattieQ sauce
Tyler Lechtanski
Jam Box
Owner & Chef
Paired with: Angel's Envy
Dish: Pulled pork sliders with Alabama white slaw, pickles, and an Angel's Envy peach barbecue sauce
Scott Witherow
Olive and Sinclair
Chocolatier, Founder & Owner
Paired with: Chicken Cock
Dish: Salted bourbon caramel crunch
Hrant Arakelian
Lyra Nashville
Chef and Owner
Paired with: Blue Run
Dish: Rye whiskey and date glazed chicken wings
Lea Willms
Grey's Cheese
Cheesemonger
Paired with: Pursuit Spirits
Dish: Cracker with Bayley Hazen Blue, orange zest honey drizzle, and Maldon salt
