State Rep. Caleb Hemmer and Sen. Charlane Oliver brought Nashville Hot Chicken to the State Capitol on April 14. The Nashville lawmakers sponsored a Hot Chicken tasting for state legislators to support the passage of HB0567/SB1216, a bill that would add the Nashville staple to the ranks of official state foods. Two legendary chicken shack chains, Prince’s Hot Chicken (the originator of this now-iconic Tennessee treasure) and Hattie B’s, provided the yard bird for this tasty tribute.
Rep. Hemmer said the legislation represented more than just recognizing a popular dish: “This will acknowledge a significant piece of Tennessee’s cultural, economic, and social history that continues to impact our state today—the annual Music City Hot Chicken Festival alone draws over 12,000 visitors. Besides, it just tastes good.”
The bill honoring the favorable fowl had already passed the Senate and passed the House on Monday. Nashville Hot Chicken joins Memphis Bar-B-Que and Cleveland Hot Slaw as official state foods.
