Page 74 - Cityview_May_June_2014

A N O F T - R E P E A T E D (though apocryphal) story claims that Knoxville has

more restaurants per capita than any other city in America—and though this claim is

demonstrably false, it does capture the growing sense that the Marble City has a love

affair with food. There’s definitely something in Knoxville’s air—or maybe it’s all the

water. Whatever the cause, something continues to enliven Knoxville’s culinary scene.

Restaurants open and close at a sometimes frantic pace, chefs play musical chairs, and

the people of our town rejoice—because the options for eating out in Knoxville are far

more interesting, varied, and exciting than most cities of this size could hope to offer.

In support of and in conjunction with Knoxville’s always-burgeoning food cul-

ture, Cityview’s Top Chefs event, now celebrating its seventh year, offers an evening

of innovative food, fine wines, and scintillating conversation. The event on Saturday,

March 29, at lighthouse Knoxville in Bearden, once again was the talk of the town.

And so, without more ado, we present the winners of this year’s Top Chefs compe-

tition—and the other worthy competitors, who each deserve a place in the food lover’s

heart—and a place on our calendars for a reservation.

Photography by bryan allen

72 cityviewmag.com may june 2014