Hutton & Smith, 10 Years. Calliope, Top 50. And Us, at Two.
What a great scene we have.
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Last week, Plan Hamilton was approved by the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Planning Commission, a 15-member body that includes no fewer than nine members linked to jobs in the development industry, according to the Times Free Press.
The meeting took hours; some folks said nearly every citizen there stood in opposition to the Plan.
Yet, it passed.
It now goes to the state for approval, then returns to the County Commission for one final vote.
There is something missing in the Plan. Lots of things. As missing as if you were building a house, but the architect didn't include a roof.
Or, a foundation.
Consider this. Earlier this week, we had a most special night at Calliope: it was our Laurel Dace speaker event. Upstairs in the private dining room, TO Smith — former head of Wildlife and Fisheries in Montana and California — said something powerful.
"Why can't we eat the fish in our river?" he said.
It was a question delivered within a powerful talk on conservation and values, but, ever since, I've coupled it with Plan Hamilton.
His question helped me see more clearly all the things missing from that Plan.
Like fish. Plants. Our entire food landscape. Any emphasis on farming. Or clean water.
How can we create a regional plan — really, the first ever in the history of our modern county — and not prioritize the systems that give us life?
Water, food, air, forests, farming.
More on this in the coming days. In the meantime, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the Plan.
- Lots happening right now, but under us remains one critical issue: soil health and agriculture.
On September 29, leaders from the Southeast Tennessee Young Farmers (SETNYF) are hosting a policy meeting and you're invited.
"Our members and friends can speak about important issues and where partner organizations can share about their own work and focus," said chapter president Jess Wilson. "We will use this information to inform our chapters policy priorities for 2026."
The Sept. 29 meeting begins at 4 pm eastern; you can register for the Zoom meeting here.
Plus, SETNYF has a survey for you. What issues are most pressing and relevant for young and beginning farmers?
The survey — takes only a few minutes — can be found here.
- That same day — September 29 — you can travel to India and Slovenia by way of Chef Sujata Singh.
At 6 pm on Monday, Sept. 29, Spice Trail is hosting a special wine dinner — part of its new Monday Dinner series — featuring wines from Klet Brda, Slovenia's famous winery.
"Have you heard of the magical land in the western part of Slovenia, nestled halfway between the Alpes and the Adriatic Sea?" the winery asks. "We call it Brda. It is a hilly landscape where we created our homes, farms, and vineyards."
The evening begins at 6 pm and will include a four-course menu.
Tickets may be purchased here.
- Last week, the New York Times published a list of the Top 50 restaurants in the US.
Two restaurants in Tennessee made the list.
One of those restaurants? It's in Knoxville. (But not Nashville?)
The other?
It's on MLK Boulevard.
A standing ovation to Calliope and its founders, Chef Khaled AlBanna and Raven Humphrey, for being named one of the top 50 restaurants in America.
(And, another big round of applause for Sarah, whose photo of Calliope decorated the New York Times story. No surprise at all.)
This recognition will undoubtedly impact the restaurant, maybe like that one particular Netflix show affected Montana.
Plus, it's a preview of sorts, a dress rehearsal for the fall announcement of the Michelin's Southern Guide.
If and when Chattanooga restaurants are named in the Guide, our city will change in obvious and perhaps less obvious ways.
On Friday, we'll publish an exclusive interview with a Michelin Guide Inspector.
The Inspector remains unnamed, but speaks openly about the process of judging and gives advice to restaurant owners.
The interview will be emailed to all members of The Table on Friday morning.
Plus, we'll also announce new events.
Join us at The Table! Not a subscriber? Sign up here.
- Another standing ovation and big congrats to Hutton & Smith Brewing Co., which celebrates 10 years.
The brewery and tap room — right across the street from Calliope — are hosting a huge block party on Saturday, October 4.
Earlier this year, we spent time with Matt Warren, Hutton &. Smith's brewer who would surely make the NYT's equivalent version of a Top 50 Brewers list.
Join us as we party with Hutton & Smith on October 4. Congratulations to the entire team for a decade of making local craft beer taste so remarkably good.
You make us proud.
- Finally, one more party to remember.
Next Thursday, Sept. 25, at Cherry Street Tavern.
Food as a Verb turns two years old.
Story ideas, questions, feedback? Interested in partnering with us? Email: david@foodasaverb.com
This story is 100% human generated; no AI chatbot was used in the creation of this content.
Last week, Plan Hamilton was approved by the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Planning Commission, a 15-member body that includes no fewer than nine members linked to jobs in the development industry, according to the Times Free Press.
The meeting took hours; some folks said nearly every citizen there stood in opposition to the Plan.
Yet, it passed.
It now goes to the state for approval, then returns to the County Commission for one final vote.
There is something missing in the Plan. Lots of things. As missing as if you were building a house, but the architect didn't include a roof.
Or, a foundation.
Consider this. Earlier this week, we had a most special night at Calliope: it was our Laurel Dace speaker event. Upstairs in the private dining room, TO Smith — former head of Wildlife and Fisheries in Montana and California — said something powerful.
"Why can't we eat the fish in our river?" he said.
It was a question delivered within a powerful talk on conservation and values, but, ever since, I've coupled it with Plan Hamilton.
His question helped me see more clearly all the things missing from that Plan.
Like fish. Plants. Our entire food landscape. Any emphasis on farming. Or clean water.
How can we create a regional plan — really, the first ever in the history of our modern county — and not prioritize the systems that give us life?
Water, food, air, forests, farming.
More on this in the coming days. In the meantime, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the Plan.
- Lots happening right now, but under us remains one critical issue: soil health and agriculture.
On September 29, leaders from the Southeast Tennessee Young Farmers (SETNYF) are hosting a policy meeting and you're invited.
"Our members and friends can speak about important issues and where partner organizations can share about their own work and focus," said chapter president Jess Wilson. "We will use this information to inform our chapters policy priorities for 2026."
The Sept. 29 meeting begins at 4 pm eastern; you can register for the Zoom meeting here.
Plus, SETNYF has a survey for you. What issues are most pressing and relevant for young and beginning farmers?
The survey — takes only a few minutes — can be found here.
- That same day — September 29 — you can travel to India and Slovenia by way of Chef Sujata Singh.
At 6 pm on Monday, Sept. 29, Spice Trail is hosting a special wine dinner — part of its new Monday Dinner series — featuring wines from Klet Brda, Slovenia's famous winery.
"Have you heard of the magical land in the western part of Slovenia, nestled halfway between the Alpes and the Adriatic Sea?" the winery asks. "We call it Brda. It is a hilly landscape where we created our homes, farms, and vineyards."
The evening begins at 6 pm and will include a four-course menu.
Tickets may be purchased here.
- Last week, the New York Times published a list of the Top 50 restaurants in the US.
Two restaurants in Tennessee made the list.
One of those restaurants? It's in Knoxville. (But not Nashville?)
The other?
It's on MLK Boulevard.
A standing ovation to Calliope and its founders, Chef Khaled AlBanna and Raven Humphrey, for being named one of the top 50 restaurants in America.
(And, another big round of applause for Sarah, whose photo of Calliope decorated the New York Times story. No surprise at all.)
This recognition will undoubtedly impact the restaurant, maybe like that one particular Netflix show affected Montana.
Plus, it's a preview of sorts, a dress rehearsal for the fall announcement of the Michelin's Southern Guide.
If and when Chattanooga restaurants are named in the Guide, our city will change in obvious and perhaps less obvious ways.
On Friday, we'll publish an exclusive interview with a Michelin Guide Inspector.
The Inspector remains unnamed, but speaks openly about the process of judging and gives advice to restaurant owners.
The interview will be emailed to all members of The Table on Friday morning.
Plus, we'll also announce new events.
Join us at The Table! Not a subscriber? Sign up here.
- Another standing ovation and big congrats to Hutton & Smith Brewing Co., which celebrates 10 years.
The brewery and tap room — right across the street from Calliope — are hosting a huge block party on Saturday, October 4.
Earlier this year, we spent time with Matt Warren, Hutton &. Smith's brewer who would surely make the NYT's equivalent version of a Top 50 Brewers list.
Join us as we party with Hutton & Smith on October 4. Congratulations to the entire team for a decade of making local craft beer taste so remarkably good.
You make us proud.
- Finally, one more party to remember.
Next Thursday, Sept. 25, at Cherry Street Tavern.
Food as a Verb turns two years old.
Story ideas, questions, feedback? Interested in partnering with us? Email: david@foodasaverb.com
This story is 100% human generated; no AI chatbot was used in the creation of this content.
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