Iron Fork

It’s official: One of Nashville’s most anticipated culinary events is back! The Nashville Scene's Iron Fork, presented by US Foods, is set to take place at Harken Hall on Thursday, Nov. 12, for its 17th year. This year's Iron Fork is part of Music City Food & Wine Festival's growing lineup of year-round culinary experiences, expanding the organization's programming beyond its flagship spring festival and creating more opportunities to celebrate the chefs, restaurants and hospitality professionals who shape Music City’s nationally recognized food scene.

Inspired by the popular Food Network show Iron Chef, the head-to-head competition challenges chefs to create a dish using a secret ingredient revealed at the start of the battle in front of a live audience. Each chef will have one hour to impress the judges and earn this year's Iron Fork Champion title, the coveted trophy, entry into the 2027 World Food Championships and, of course, bragging rights around town for a year.

The competition is fierce this year! The award-winning lineup includes Junior Vo of Noko Hospitality, Marcio Florez of Limo Peruvian Eatery, Alfredo Bueno of 888, and winner of the 2026 Battle of the Best Bite at Music City Food & Wine Festival and the duo behind Tántisimo, Ana Aguilar and Josh Cook.

Guests can watch the competition unfold while enjoying an open bar, cocktail tastings, curated wine pairings from Corkdorks and unlimited bites from some of Nashville's favorite restaurants, including 888, A-Roi, Dos Santos, etch | etc., Gus’s Fried Chicken, Halls Catch, Indaco, Limo Peruvian Eatery, Mere Bulles, Oku, Prime + Proper, Puesto, Soho House, Sunda and Zaytinya. Emmy-nominated television host and author Jerome Moore will emcee the event alongside Nashville Scene Editor-in-Chief D. Patrick Rodgers.