Nashville chefs might be able to make whatever they want, but even they have tried and true items they like to eat, especially if they’re spending the day enjoying the outdoors during the summer heat. Nashville Lifestyles polled seven well-known Music City chefs to find out their summer essentials for eating and drinking, especially during the blistering hot days.
1. Andrew Little, Josephine
“Absolute essentials for me are, without a doubt, National Bohemian beer and UTZ potato chips, specifically Grandma Utz chips, the potato chip that all chips aspire to be when they grow up. Both are difficult to find in Nashville, so I’m on a campaign to get them distributed here!”
2. Chris Lewallen, White Limozeen
“I live about five minutes from Old Hickory Lake and try to spend as much time out on the boat fishing as possible. I always have my Yeti cooler with me – packed down with goodies for a long day on the water. I generally always bring some good sparkling water (Pellegrino or Topo Chico), Montucky cold snacks, a large thermos with some fruit tea, and some light snacks (avocado, hard boiled eggs, cheeses, salami).”
3. Gracie Nyugen, East Side Bánh Mì
“When heading out to the lake or river in the hot summer months, we always have some really cold rosè wine. My favorites are Angels & Cowboys and Las Jaras from Sonoma County. We also have recently been doing a lot of cocktails pre-batched in mason jars. Just add ice, shake, twist off the lid and drink – it’s a shaker and the glass to drink from! For food, we roll up lettuces and whatever kind of fresh or pickled vegetables that we have on hand in rice paper wrappers to make fresh summer rolls. A little home-made spicy peanut sauce to dip in and you’ve got a fun and unique cooler snack!”
4. Mee McCormick, Pinewood Kitchen & Mercantile
“In the dog days of summer our farm is covered with big juicy heirloom tomatoes and my childhood memories of simple white bread tomato mayo sandwiches get an adult makeover by replacing the mayo with goat cheese (to make it vegan, replace goat cheese with almond ricotta) and adding arugula.”
5. Nick Pfannerstill, Mother’s Ruin Nashville
“Chips and Caviar! One of my friends owns a caviar company, and I get VIP prices. I love it with thick-cut potato chips, a bottle of rosé, and our charred eggplant dip. Something about the smoky and salty really does it for me.”
6. Danyelle Hudgins, The Listening Room Café
“My list of cooler essentials include quite a few options. Fresh fruit like watermelon and peaches is a must on a hot day. I always pack adult ice pops because it’s nostalgic and takes me back to feeling like a kid. The next one may sound odd but trust me on it—prosciutto and garlic pickles. It helps get the much-needed salt back into your system after a long day. Lastly, lunch meats and sliced cheese, it’s like adult Lunchables and it stays fresh in the cooler.”
7. Daniel Gorman, Henley
“Well first you have to have your favorite summer beer. SeaQuench by Dogfish Head is my go-to summer ale. I am always sure to have fresh fruit, cut and ready to go in my cooler. I tend to love watermelon with a little lime and sea salt, great for those river days to keep you hydrated, I also always keep bandanas in my cooler. For when I need a little cool off, nothing beats an ice cold bandana to cool you down and to protect against the summer crowds.”