Some Like it Hot pt2

Nashville hot chicken con't

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello, listeners. I can't thank you enough for stopping by
for another episode of The Nashville Minutes podcast, a show
dedicated to all things Nashville. You should be aware this
is a two part episode, and this is the second part.

(00:20):
So if you didn't hear last week's episode, you'll want
to go back around because you missed a lot. We
spiced it up with Nashville Hot Chicken. That's right, you'll
want to go back because you missed the origin of
Nashville's hot chicken. You missed key restaurants and marination, as

(00:42):
well as heat levels and regional and national expansions. It
is no longer just Nashville's hot chicken. No no, it's worldwide.
We talked about hot chicken festivals and events. We talked
about the health and nutritional benefits if you can believe it,
of Nashville's hot chicken, aside from being deep fried. We're

(01:08):
going to kick off today's episode with variations of Nashville's
hot chicken. That's right. You can't just leave it alone. No, no.
While the traditional hot chicken recipe is beloved for its
straightforward heat and crunch, many chefs have introduced creative spins

(01:33):
on the dish. There are gluten free versions. Some restaurants
have adjusted the batter for those with dietary restrictions. Restaurants
have began offering even plant based hot chicken, made from

(01:57):
tofu or other plant based ingredient, often with the same
spice levels and crispy coating. You can't taste anything at
that heat anyway, so it doesn't really matter what you're eating.
There are hot chicken sandwiches and sliders served on soft buns.

(02:20):
These variations are often topped with coal slaw, pickles, or cheese,
adding a contrast of textures. Some regional variations even within Nashville.
East Nashville's Twist is known for its more experimental spice

(02:42):
blends and unique side dishes like alipano corn bread and
mashed potatoes. South Nashville offers a slightly sweeter version, balancing
the fiery heat with brown sugar or honey while keeping
the heat level manageable for a broader audience. Even some

(03:08):
high end restaurants have taken on hot chicken. Some upscale
eateries serve hot chicken with gourmet sides such as grilled
corn or truffle fries, and even sorghum based sauces to
elevate the experience. Next, let's take look at hot chicken

(03:28):
as a tourist experience. Nashville has capitalized on the rise
of food tourism with organized hot chicken tours. These culiary
experiences include visits to several restaurants, allowing tourists to taste
different heat levels and various styles of hot chicken, all

(03:53):
guided by locals who provide backstories about the origins of
the dish. A popular guided tour is the Nashville Hot
Chicken Tour that educates visitors while letting them sample dishes
from Princes, Hattiebees, and others. Some companies offer a hot
Chicken Challenge tour, where participants are invited to sample progressively

(04:18):
spicier dishes, testing their tolerance. Nashville has strategically integrated hot
chicken into its tourism marketing, often tying it to Nashville's
identity as music city and a place of authentic Southern culture.
For many, trying hot chicken is now considered a rite

(04:40):
of passage when visiting Nashville, alongside seeing a live show
at the Rhyman or visiting the Country Music Hall of fame.
T shirts, hats, and souvenirs bearing the logos of popular
hot chicken joints have become a staple of Nashville's souvenir culture.

(05:01):
Nashville Hot Chicken holds a special place in the pantheon
of Southern cuisine. It is one of the spiciest and
boldest dishes that represents the spirit of Southern cooking, a
cuisine that is traditionally rich, hardy, and often unapologetically fiery.

(05:23):
Hot Chicken's spice heavy profile can be compared to dishes
like cagen and Creole food, Caribbean jerk chicken, and even
Texas barbecue. The dish's intensities balanced by the warmth of
Southern hospitality, making a visit to hot chicken joint fuel

(05:43):
more like a family meal and an experience rooted in
Southern charm. Hot chicken is closely tied to the Black
community in Nashville, particularly in its historical roots. As a
dish created by African American cooks, the dish embodies aspects

(06:04):
of soul food, dishes that focus on bold flavors and
resourceful cooking and community. Hot chicken is just one example
of the rich cullionary traditions that have emerged from the
Black community in Nashville and the broader Southern US. Pioneers

(06:26):
like Thornton Prince not only helped shape Nashville's hot chicken scene,
but also contributed to the broader history of African American
culionary innovation in America. Hot chicken plays a significant role
in Nashville's economy, attracting food tourists and local foodies alike.

(06:47):
Local hot chicken joints like Princes, Hattie Bees, and Boltons
have seen sustained growth as the popularity of the dish
has skyrocketed. The rise of hot chicken eateries has a
wide range of jobs in the restaurant, hospitality, and retail industries,
many of which catered to both local residents and tourists.

(07:11):
Some Nashville restaurants have expanded to other cities, offering hot
chicken as a regional culinary export, showcasing the city's food
culture to a national audience. Chains like Hattie Bees have
expanded outside Nashville, opening locations and cities like Atlanta, Las Vegas,

(07:34):
and Austin, capitalizing on the national hot chicken craze. The
rise of hot chicken has inspired many pop up restaurants
and food trucks as well in cities around the US
to offer their own take on Nashville style hot chicken.
Cities abroad, such as London and Tokyo have embraced the

(07:57):
hot chicken trend, adding local spy to create international takes
on the iconic dish. Nashville hot chicken has even made
its way into social media culture. It is instagrammable, as
they say. The vibrant red color of hot chicken, paired

(08:17):
with its dramatic, juicy crispy texture has made it a
favorite on social media, particularly on Instagram. Food bloggers and
influencers have used hot chicken as a platform to promote
Nashville's food scene, often highlighting the heat, level, presentation, and
overall experience of eating hot chicken. Challenges and reactions have

(08:42):
erupted on YouTube and TikTok, where influencers film themselves eating
spicy chicken while giving live reactions. These videos often go
viral due to the humor and intensity of the reactions,
amplifying the global appeal of Nashville hot same chicken. Aspiring
home cooks use YouTube and TikTok to share their DIY recipes,

(09:07):
teaching others how to make national hot chicken at home
from spice blends to frying techniques. As the popularity of
hot chicken grows, there is an increasing focus on the
environmental impact of its ingredients and cooking processes. Many restaurants
have turned to local farms or sustainably sourced chicken or

(09:30):
other ingredients, helping to reduce their carbon footprint. The use
of large quantities of cooking oil and deep frying has
sparked discussions about oil recycling and reducing waste in the
restaurant industry. Hot chicken restaurants have faced pressure to shift
toward eco friendly packaging to reduce the use of single

(09:54):
use plastics, especially given the rise in food delivery services.
Some Nashville hot chicken spots have partnered with urban farms
to source ingredients, encouraging farm to table practices. This sustainable
trend aligns with broader movements in the restaurant industry, which

(10:15):
emphasize seasonal, local and organic foods. Unfortunately, that's all the
time that we have for today's episode of The Nashville
Minutes podcast, a show dedicated to all things Nashville. What
is your spice level can't thank you enough for listening

(10:36):
until next time.