Copyright Tallahassee Democrat
Show Caption Hide Caption Tallahassee restaurants we wish made USA Today Restaurant of the Year Every year USA Today releases its best restaurants list, here is a few Tallahassee restaurants we think should be added to it. Celebrity chef Maneet Chauhan will headline Tallahassee State College’s 2026 Cleaver and Cork food festival. The week-long culinary event, sponsored by Amazon, runs from March 1 to March 8. Chauhan is a James Beard Award winner and a two-time champion on "Guy Fieri’s Tournament of Champions." The celebrity chef known for judging on televised cooking competitions including Food Network's "Chopped," "Iron Chef" and "Next Iron Chef Contestant" is coming to the capital city for Tallahassee State College’s 2026 Cleaver and Cork food festival March 1. Chef Maneet Chauhan – a James Beard Award winner, television personality and award winning author known for her take on Indian-Latin cuisine – will headline the week-long 11th annual event that begins March 1 and ends March 8, hosted by the TSC Foundation and sponsored by Amazon. Originally born in Punjab, India, Chauhan worked in hotels before moving to the U.S. where she studied at the Culinary Institute of America. She went to work as executive chef in New York and Chicago restaurants, bringing restaurants national acclaim under her leadership. Outside of becoming a permanent judge on cooking competition "Chopped," she has since been known for her many television appearances including on Guy Fieri’s Tournament of Champions both in 2021 and 2024. Over 15.6 million viewers tuned in to see her become the first-ever, two-time champion. She is now based out of Nashville, where she has established restaurants, the state's largest craft brewery and her organization Morph Hospitality Group alongside her husband. She recently expanded in the Sunshine State with "eet by Maneet Chauhan" in Disney Springs located in Orlando. As she will be featured in the culinary festival’s 10th anniversary, she comes after past notable chefs Tom Colicchio from last year, Andrew Zimmern , Michael Symon and Aarón Sánchez that headlined the TSC Foundation's former food, wine, beer and spirits events. While the weeklong Cleaver and Cork events are all ticketed, the proceeds will go toward TSC scholarships. Here is a look at the Cleaver and Cork full event schedule. Progressive Cocktail Party Date and time: 1-5 p.m. Sunday, March 1 Location: N. Monroe St. The cocktail party kicks off Cleaver and Cork 2026 with a curated cuisine from five local restaurants – Hummingbird Wine Bar, Il Lusso, Savour, Mimi's Table and Liberty Bar and Restaurant – which includes a food tour of each restaurant that offers a different course and wine pairing. The event ends with an after party at Eve on Adams. Tickets are sold out. Plates & Pours: Bourbon Supper Date and time: 6-8 p.m. Monday, March 2 Location: Food Glorious Food (1950 Thomasville Road) The Plates & Pours four-day series offers a variety of unique dining experiences at local venues. "Savor the Spirit of the South" at eclectic restaurant Food Glorious Food where that night "fine dining meets the rich tradition of Kentucky bourbon." In this four-course, immersive dining experience guests will explore flavors of bourbon from the Bluegrass State thoughtfully paired with each course. They will also be guided through the stories and traditions of the "world-renowned treasure," Kentucky bourbon. Tickets are sold out. Plates & Pours: Old Florida Supper Date and time: 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 3 Location: The Governors Club (202 S. Adams St.) The Tuesday night event pays homage to the "rich heritage" of the Sunshine State. The six-course meal showcases all Florida has to offer on both land and sea from its "rich agricultural roots, coastal bounty, and cultural heritage." Guests can expect seasonal ingredients in unexpected pairings, decadent desserts and exquisite wines. As the event site details, "this is more than a meal, it’s a tribute to Florida’s past, present and future." Tickets are sold out. Plates & Pours: A La Turko Date and time: 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 4 Location: The Monroe (1327 S. Monroe St.) Wednesday "the rhythm of Latin fire meets the soul of Turkish spice," at the premium restaurant and bar The Monroe. This event is more than a journey but a culinary pathway that travels from "Istanbul’s spice bazaars to Seville’s tavernas and onward to Havana and Lima," all in one night. Guests can expect an evening of storytelling thorough every dish and every drink where "raki meets rum, mezze meets tapas and baklava meets guava." Tickets are sold out. Plates & Pours: Champagne & Caviar Date and time: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 5 Location: Damas (Goodwood Museum and Gardens Rough House cottage on 1600 Miccosukee Road) Cheers, the four day-series concludes with a tasting of caviars "showcased in playful, creative dishes" at new restaurant Damas, founded by sommelier Amanda Morrison. Each dish is then paired with a selection of sparkling wines crafted by female winemakers. Signature Dinner Date and time: 6-9:30 p.m. Friday, March 6 Location: Lifetime Sports Complex at Tallahassee State College Highlighted as the pinnacle of this year’s Cleaver and Cork events, the Signature Dinner will feature a four-course menu personally curated by Chef Chauhan. Each course is then paired with sommelier-selected wines from around the world curated by Hummingbird Wine Bar. Single tickets are sold at $400. Food & Wine Festival Date and time: 12 p.m.-3p.m. Saturday, March 7 Location: 444 Appleyard Dr. (TSC’s Intramural Field) This event will give guests the opportunity to indulge in gourmet dishes, fine wines, craft beers and more from over 50 vendors. Ticket prices range from $125 to $300. Brunch & Barbeque Date and time: 11 a.m.-1p.m. Sunday, March 8 Location: 444 Appleyard Dr. (TSC’s Intramural Field) The week-long foodie event concludes with one for the both BBQ enthusiasts and brunch lovers by offering a flavorful fusion of southern barbecue and brunch options. Dishes can be paired with spirits from the champagne and Bloody Mary bar. In charge of the smoked delicacies this year are Fort Worth, Texas, natives Jonathan and Justin Fox owners of award-winning restaurant Fox Brothers Bar-B-Q. The restaurant has earned raved reviews from publications including Southern Living, Travel + Leisure, USA Today and Sports Illustrated. It has also been featured on programs like The TODAY Show, The Travel Channel’s “Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern: Southern Barbecue Trail” and Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.” Tickets are $125 each. For more information about this year’s Cleaver and Cork events and how to purchase tickets, visit TSC’s website at cleaverandcorktsc.com. This article includes previously reported information. Kyla A Sanford covers dining and entertainment for the Tallahassee Democrat. New restaurant opening up, special deals, or events coming up? Let me know at ksanford@tallahassee.com. You can also email your suggestions for a future TLH Eats restaurant profile.
