Rich in culture and history, the Volunteer State is also known for delicious food. Whether traveling as a barbecue enthusiast, a sweets lover, or an adventurous foodie, Tennessee’s culinary scene has something for everyone. Tennessee’s craft beverage scene is booming. Totally unique festivals celebrate little known staples and contested cook-offs bring big competition to Tennessee. And visitors can savor every moment at these unforgettable culinary and cocktail events located throughout the state.
Quirky eat in Tennessee
The fun to say (and participate in) Hot Slaw & Art Y’all! Festival takes place in Cleveland in early April. Hot slaw—a tangy, mustard-based coleslaw—is an official state food, and this small city in southeast Tennessee is the epicenter of this side dish become main course. The family-friendly atmosphere of this one-day event features live music, art exhibitions, and street performances in downtown Cleveland. Of course there are plenty of food vendors, too.
Flashback to yesteryear with a soda and a sweet treat at the RC Cola-MoonPie Festival in June. The tiny town of Bell Buckle, Bedford County (50 miles southeast of downtown Nashville) hosts a wacky, fun-for-the-whole-family celebration of the South’s original fast food combo. For those who have never had a MoonPie, it is a round graham cookie sandwich filled with marshmallow fluff and dipped in chocolate. Live entertainment includes clog dancing, a parade, and the grand finale—the world’s largest MoonPie.
A trip to the American South is not complete without a bite of banana pudding. Folks traveling to Tennessee in early October can get their taste at the National Banana Pudding Festival. Held in Centerville (a short southwestern drive from Nashville), this fest celebrates the classic dessert, which consists of a batch of banana pudding with layers of cream and crunch. The fest includes a pretty serious Banana Pudding Cook-Off with $3,500 in prizes—only 10 finalists are invited to the live cook-off each year.
Smokin’ and grillin’ in the Volunteer State
Serious meat makers descend on Memphis in May, an international festival attracting thousands of visitors. The event is punctuated by the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. Featuring over $150,000 in prize money, this competition has lured BBQ teams from around the globe since 1978. Visitors can explore BBQ Alley, enjoy live music, and watch exciting events like sauce wrestling and Ms. Piggie Idol. New for 2025 is the Steak Cookoff Competition, offering a $6,000 prize.
Tennessee is synonymous with whiskey, and no other name is more recognized in popular spirits than Jack Daniel’s. The brand lends its name to the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue in Lynchburg each October. This prestigious barbecue competition holds worldwide acclaim and attracts more than 40,000 visitors each year. Spectators watch top barbecue teams showcase their grilling expertise and can enjoy family-friendly activities like butt bowling (pork butt that is), live music, and a dog show.
Cheers to Tennessee!
Jimmy Buffett may have written about wasting away his time at the beach, but the cocktail inspiring his highest charting single is celebrated in Chattanooga. In early August each year, the Margarita Festival highlights more than 20 city restaurants competing to serve up the best margarita recipe. Visitors at the First Horizon Pavilion vote for their favorite, ultimately crowning the best margarita in Chattanooga. The event raises funds for the Chattanooga Market, the region’s largest producer-only marketplace of produce and art.
Every style of Tennessee alcohol (and those who love them) is welcome at the Tennessee Beer, Wine & Shine Festival taking place each October in Nashville. Avid beer and wine aficionados enjoy craft, seasonal and micro beers, a variety of wines, and moonshine in a myriad of flavors. Held on the 14-acre grounds of the 1859 Italianate style Two Rivers Mansion, this is an elevated drinking fest with an emphasis on beer, wine, and spirit appreciation.