A taste of Tennessee kicked off the 2026 Song Summit when Chef Andrew Zimmern and multi-Grammy Award nominated mandolinist Sierra Hull joined forces for “Nashville in the Mountains” Thursday night at Le Depot Brasserie.
The first of three Song Summit Supper Club dinners featured a menu that started with pimento cheese Johnnycakes and country ham hors d’oeuvres served on the restaurant’s patio, while Salt Lake City-based roots-music band Theoretical Blonde serenaded the crowd.
The courses then continued indoors with smoked trout with green tomato chow chow,
skillet cornbread with Tennessee honey butter, stuffed smothered quail and grits, squash succotash with Benton’s bacon and banana pudding with marshmallow cream for dessert.
“We brought in Tennessee butter so we could make sure everything was as much of a taste of that great state as possible,” Zimmern told guests before they started eating. “I hope you enjoy everything.”
Hull, who attended the dinner with her husband, singer and songwriter, Justin Moses, and performed later in the evening at The Marquis, also took time to address the dinner guests.
“When we got booked to play the festival, I was excited (because) I feel like the reputation of this event was already high,” she said. “So we were excited to come to just play some music, and then they asked us if we wanted to do this event with Andrew.”
The menu Zimmern planned struck a nostalgic chord with Hull.
“Food is how my family shows love,” she said. “I am from Tennessee, and my whole family has deep roots in Tennessee, so, when he told me what he was dreaming up, (I said,) ‘This sounds like my people.’”
Hull appreciated Zimmern’s insight while creating the dishes, which were inspired by her music and the state’s rural culture.
“I’m from a town of about 700 people in the smallest county in Tennessee, so there are not a lot of fancy restaurants,” she said. “We eat at home. People grow these big gardens and my dad was a great hunter. So, we had a lot of food that connected us. I had big dinners at my granny’s house, and we would have her chow chow from stuff out in the garden.”
Zimmern remembered when the Song Summit didn’t have a formal culinary element.
He remembers talking with Song Summit co-founders Ben and Paige Anderson that food and music went together “like hands and gloves.”
“All chefs are frustrated musicians, and all my musician friends care about food … oh, and music,” he said with a laugh.
Adding food to the Song Summit experience started last year, and it was just one night, Zimmern said.
“It did so well that we thought, ‘Let’s do it every night this year,’” he said.
Zimmern tipped his hat to Le Depot Brasserie’s executive chef and co-owner Galen Zammara for making the menus for all three nights a reality.
He also honored Chef Gregory Gourdet for the dinner that was planned for the Song Summit Foundation fundraiser that was privately held Wednesday night.
“There are some more amazing chefs coming in,” Zimmern said. “We have Stephanie Izard and Damaris Phillips will do dinners here tomorrow and Saturday. So there will be a really great food-and-music vibe every single night.”
Zimmern said he was “thrilled” to work with Hull for the opening-night Supper Club.
“When I heard I got to cook for you, I got emotional,” he said motioning to Hull, “I’ve been a huge fan of yours for a long time.”
Hull, a fan of Zimmern from his work on TV, said she had no idea how much he liked her music and that she enjoyed talking with him about creating a playlist that would complement the dinner.
“Andrew said, ‘How about you choose some music you grew up loving, and make sure you have some of your own songs in there,” she said.
Dolly Parton’s death on Tuesday changed everything, according to Hull.
“(Dolly) was one of my biggest heroes,” she said. “I’m a Tennessee girl, and I am so heartbroken, as I know we all are. So, I sent Andrew a text today and asked, ‘How would you feel if you just make a whole playlist of Dolly Parton?’”
Prior to Hull and Zimmern’s comments, Ben Anderson took a moment to thank the Supper Club’s attendees.
“Welcome to Park City Song Summit 2026,” he said. “This is just the beginning of a very long weekend of music, culinary art and artist wellness, and we are so happy you’re here. It’s a joy to have you back.”
Paige Anderson, the interim executive director of the Song Summit Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Song Summit, also introduced some special guests that included Gourdet, singer-songwriter Steve Poltz and fine-art photographer Jay Blakesberg, known for his work with the Grateful Dead.
The 2026 Song Summit continues through Saturday at various venues in Park City. For information, visit songsummit.com.