Have Your Whiskey and Eat It Too: Tennessee Whiskey Trail Debuts Cork to Fork Culinary Trail on March 31
From barrel to table, the newest program celebrates spirit-infused dishes across Tennessee
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Whiskey Trail, a collaboration of more than 30 distilleries across the state, is launching Cork to Fork, a new statewide culinary trail pairing distilleries with local restaurants to create spirit-infused, chef-driven dishes. Each partnership brings together culinary and distilling expertise to craft offerings rooted in Tennessee, celebrating the flavors, craftsmanship and stories that define the state.
“Cork to Fork was designed to showcase Tennessee spirits beyond the glass,” said Charity Toombs, executive director of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail. “As our chefs and restaurants continue to earn national recognition, this trail creates a natural connection between their creativity and the excellence of Tennessee distilling, giving guests the opportunity to experience the best of both worlds through spirit-infused dishes that celebrate local heritage, ingredients and innovation.”
As spirit aficionados sip their way across the +700 miles of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, Cork to Fork now creates programmatic experiences for whiskey cuisine. With more than 40 culinary partners participating statewide at launch, Cork to Fork offers something for every palate. From The Kooky Canuck in Memphis serving Maple Bread Pudding made with neighboring Old Dominick Distillery Cask Strength Whiskey, to Nashville’s Urban Grub featuring Calabrian Bourbon Wood-Fired Oysters crafted with local Borchetta Red Corn Reserve Bourbon, to Seasons 101 presenting a Smoked Old Fashioned Bone-In Pork Loin made with Old Tennessee Distillery out of Sevierville, participating chefs have creatively paired Tennessee spirits with dishes that showcase the state’s rich culinary and distilling traditions. Guests can explore spirit-infused offerings across every course — from breakfast, lunch and dinner in selections of appetizers, entrées and decadent desserts — making it easy to experience Tennessee flavors any time of day.
Trail-goers are encouraged to register for a Cork to Fork digital passport that helps them locate partners around their distillery stops, map routes, browse cuisine, track their progress and more. The passport is available for download now and participants can officially begin engaging on March 31. Additionally, Cork to Fork items are designated on participating restaurants’ menus with a whiskey glass icon.
Images courtesy of Tennessee Whiskey Trail
The Trail has partnered with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD) for Cork to Fork, tying it to the state agency’s Sound Bites campaign, a program pairing music and food for an intentional dining experience. When experiencing a Cork to Fork dish, guests are encouraged to visit TNSoundBites.com to amplify the food’s flavor through sound with song selections curated to complement the dish’s flavor profile.
“Tennessee’s distilleries and restaurants are powerful drivers of visitation and economic growth across our state,” said Commissioner Mark Ezell, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. “Experiences like Cork to Fork encourage travelers to explore more communities, extend their stays and support local businesses along the way. By connecting our celebrated culinary talent with Tennessee’s iconic distilling heritage, this initiative strengthens two thriving industries while creating even more reasons to visit.”
For more information on the Tennessee Whiskey Trail and Cork to Fork, visit tnwhiskeytrail.com and follow along on social media @tnwhiskeytrail to stay up to date on Trail experiences and Cork to Fork dishes.
Participating restaurant partners across Tennessee include Amelia Gene’s, Amici, Bella, Bellafina Chocolates, Brumley’s Restaurant and Lounge, Capriccio Grill, Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro, Deacon’s New South, Foothills Milling Café, Foothills Milling Company Restaurant, Frothy Monkey, Glass Hollow Table & Tavern, Goo Goo Chocolate Co., Grindstone Cowboy Shelbyville, Hattie Jane’s Creamery, Hot Rods 50’s Diner, Junction 35 Distillery & Restaurant, Kitchen 218, Kooky Canuck, McCreary’s Irish Pub and Eatery, Old Glory Distilling Co. Restaurant & Silo Park, Peaceful Side Brewery, Peg Leg Porker, Pickled Pig Kitchen at Two Doors Down, Prime & Pint Butchery and Public House, Raven Steakhouse and Lounge, Scout’s Pub, Seasons 101, StoryBrook Farms Eatery, TENN & Bar at Holston House, The Appalachian, The Butter Milk Ranch, The Coffee House Franklin, The Franklin Bakehouse, The Red Fork, The Restaurant at Nelson’s Green Brier, Three Casks, Urban Grub and Walnut Kitchen.
ABOUT THE TENNESSEE WHISKEY TRAIL
Where the whiskey meets the road. Six years ago, the Tennessee Whiskey Trail was launched by the Tennessee Distillers Guild as a celebration of our state and its signature spirits. Today we host more than 30 stops across the state, offering a taste of Tennessee and a road map for adventure. Visitors to the Trail can soak up the sights and sounds that have been shaped by Tennessee whiskey, whether stopping by for a sip or making a weekend of it. For more information, visit www.tnwhiskeytrail.com and the Tennessee Whiskey Trail’s Instagram.
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