NASHVILLE, Tenn. –– Feb. 5, 2025 –– Music City Food & Wine Festival is making its anticipated debut April 24 through 27, 2025. This premier culinary event will showcase the best of Nashville’s dynamic food scene with acclaimed chefs, world-class wine and spirits, and unforgettable dining experiences. Set in the beautiful Centennial Park and featuring events at many of the city’s top restaurants, the festival invites food lovers to sip and savor the flavors that make Nashville a culinary destination. MCFW, produced by locals for locals, will feature legacy events like the Nashville Scene’s esteemed Iron Fork competition and new events that will elevate the multi-day experience.
The all-star culinary lineup features some of the brightest stars in the Nashville food world, including: Vivek Surti, the creative force behind Tailor; 2025 James Beard Award semifinalists Julio Hernandez of Maiz de la Vida (also 2024’s Iron Fork champion) and Dung “Junior” Vo of Noko and Kase x Noko; Chris Crary, executive chef of 1 Hotel Nashville; Deb Paquette and Jess Lambert of Etch and etc.; Hal Holden-Bache of Lockeland Table; Giovanna Orsino of Tutti da Gio; Margot McCormack and Hadley Long of Margot Cafe & Bar; Arnold Myint of International Market; Mark Grimes of Deacon’s New South and Puckett’s Restaurant, and Edgar Victoria of Alebrije. Other restaurateurs joining the weekend’s events include Mark Waldo of Waldo’s Chicken and Beer, hosting “Waldo & Friends” alongside a lineup of regional and local chefs.
Additional chefs and culinary stars will be announced in the coming weeks.
The 2025 Music City Food & Wine Festival will include a variety of events tailored for every type of foodie. The Intimate Dinner Series will open the epicurean weekend, with dinners hosted at Tailor, Bourbon Steak, Maiz de la Vida, Deacon’s New South and Margot Cafe & Bar.
Friday night –– Feast: A Supper to Savor –– will be hosted under the stars in the heart of Centennial Park. At this curated, multicourse seated dinner, guests will experience exceptional wine pairings alongside a gourmet meal prepared by a collaboration of talented chefs including Crary, Vo and Holden-Bache.
Saturday will host the heart of the festival, the Grand Tasting, featuring a diverse array of samples from more than 40 wine and spirit brands, plus bites from Nashville’s top restaurants. Participating restaurants include Noko, Limo Peruvian, Deacon’s New South, Sushi | Bar, Alba’s Empanadas, Culaccino, Henley, Maiz de la Vida, Five Points Pizza, Daddy’s Dogs, Waldo’s, 888, The Rutledge, Onda, Tutti da Gio, Etch, Ricey & Co, 1 Kitchen and many more to be announced soon. Guests at the Grand Tasting can watch both the Mixology Competition and the Iron Fork chef competition, Presented by US Foods –– which brings four top chefs together in a heated cooking competition where they must create a dish to impress a panel of judges. The twist? A secret ingredient.
The weekend will also include the Food Faire Market and Brunch Garden, wine and spirits seminars, cooking demonstrations, local cookbook author signings and Big Gay Brunch hosted in restaurants across town. A full schedule of events is available at MCFWF.com.
Tickets for MCFW 2025 are now available for purchase. Ticket options include:
- Culinary Connoisseur Pass (starting at $399): Includes access to all festival events, a reserved seat at the exclusive FEAST supper, priority reservations for intimate dinners, specialty tastings and more.
- Weekend VIP Pass (starting at $199): Offers VIP-level entry to the Grand Tasting, Sunday VIP Brunch Garden, front-row seats to chef demos and more.
- Grand Tasting VIP (starting at $150): VIP entry on Saturday with lounge access, reserved seating, and front-row views of culinary competitions.
- General Admission (starting at $89): Access to the Grand Tasting with samples from more than 40 restaurants, unlimited wine tastings, craft cocktails and dazzling entertainment.
Thank You to Our Sponsors and Partners
MCFW is proud to announce it is merging with the Corkdorks Nashville Wine and Food Festival to create a world-class festival for the city. “Our passion has always been sharing great wines and fostering deeper wine education,” shares Paul Patel, Corkdorks Nashville owner. “By joining forces with Music City Food & Wine, we have an incredible opportunity to introduce attendees to a broad selection of exquisite wines, connect them with industry experts, and offer an elevated educational experience that enhances their appreciation and understanding of wine.” Corkdorks will curate the selections of wine offered at the grand tasting, present specialty tasting seminars, host wine master classes and more throughout the weekend.
MCFW is made possible by its founding partners and sponsors including:
- US Foods, presenting the Iron Fork Chef Competition, Demo Stage and Chef’s Lounge
- 1 Hotel Nashville, the official hotel partner of MCFW
- Centennial Park Conservancy, beneficiary and host site
- Visit Music City, a founding sponsor
- Tito's Handmade Vodka, the official vodka of MCFW
- Southbound Tequila, the official tequila of MCFW
- Nelson's Green Brier Distillery, the official whiskey of MCFW
- Corkdorks Wine, Beer, and Spirits, the presenting wine sponsor
- Tennessee Titans, a founding sponsor
Additional sponsors and partners include Cantrip, UberEATS, 80 Acres Farms, Parnassus Books, Waldo’s Chicken & Beer, A. Marshall Hospitality, Tanger Outlets, Fresh Creative Studios, Massive Mission Media, Good Neighbor Festivals, The World Food Championships and Foodies of Nashville. MCFW is committed to raising funds, awareness and creating a positive impact in the community through our relationships with charitable organizations. Nonprofit partners include Centennial Park Conservancy, The Nashville Food Project and Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee.
To learn how to get involved and to purchase tickets, visit musiccityfoodandwinefest.com.
About Music City Food & Wine Festival
MCFW will bring together several of the city's favorite festivities into one massive weekend celebrating Nashville’s cuisine and culture. MCFW will invite locals and visitors alike to gather in the heart of Nashville to enjoy the city’s vast entertainment options, celebrate and enjoy its thriving culinary, wine and arts communities. MCFW will be both an enticing regional destination experience, as well as one of the city’s most thoughtfully curated local experiences, showcasing the restaurants and businesses that make our city sing.
About FW Publishing
Music City Food & Wine Festival is owned by FW Publishing, the parent company of four of the highest-engaged print and digital media publications in Middle Tennessee: the Nashville Scene, Nfocus, the Nashville Post, and the Williamson Scene. Our editorial teams cover a variety of news, cultural, business, entertainment and philanthropic topics with an emphasis on all things in and around Music City. FW Publishing also hosts dozens of beloved food and drink events throughout the year, including Iron Fork, the Best of Nashville party, Burger Week, Margarita Festival and many more.
###