CHEF INFORMATION

2018

marthaobryan.org/nextup

Local chefs making an impact on Nashville’s culinary scene are going head-to-head at Music City Chef

Throwdown to benefit Martha O’Bryan Center. NextUP - Martha O’Bryan Center Ambassadors

is challenging Nashville chefs to showcase how an amazing meal can be made with the simplest of

ingredients. Local food experts will choose a champion and guests will choose their favorite.

WHAT IS MUSIC CITY CHEF THROWDOWN?

Formerly known as Foodbank Throwdown, and unique

from other food events, chefs receive a list of low-cost,

widely available ingredients to create their dish, and cook

against the clock to present their meals to the judges.

Our esteemed judges will choose the 2018 Throwdown

Champion while our guests choose their favorite as the

People’s Choice Award, and the lowest cost meal will be

awarded the Spirit Award. Guests will enjoy a generous

sample from every chef team, no crowds or waiting in line,

and “front row” access to the action. 

HELP US REACH $10,000!

Music City Chef Throwdown

is the annual fundraiser

produced by NextUP

benefiting the Martha

O’Bryan Center.  

marthaobryan.org/nextup

AWARDSMusic City Chef Champion -

best dish voted by judges 

Spirit Award - dish costing

the least, calculated by food

cost

People’s Choice - crowd

favorite, voted by our guests

Create a dish using items typically donated to Nashville food pantries to prove how the simplest

ingredients can make a gourmet meal. Chefs will prepare five dishes - four to present to the judges

plus a dish to be photographed - with 20 minutes to prepare. Chefs will also prepare enough food for

200 tastings to be served to our guests starting at 6:30pm.

The Challenge for Chefs

ingredient list to order from consisting of

a protein, canned foods, fresh greens, and

boxed grains or starches

two 8 foot tables with tablecloth 

plates, forks and napkins

electricity, by request (limited supply)

delivery of ingredients via volunteers    

 the week of the event

Use your culinary skills to help raise money to support Martha

O’Bryan Center, whose programs focus on empowerment    

through education. 

Enjoy a cooking competition that truly challenges the chefs’

experiences in the kitchen by utilizing food pantry ingredients to

create a high-end meal.

Unique marketing opportunities and promotion for your  

restaurant on NextUP social media, emails, blog, and press. 

Compete against Nashville’s most innovative restaurants and chefs.

It’s fun! Interact with our judges, guests, and other chefs.

Why Get Involved? 

Only final preparations should be made during the event. Leftover food will be donated to Martha O’Bryan Center.

Deadlines and more information will follow once you have committed.

include your own seasoning, spices,      

herbs or oils

choice of one non-protein ingredient

cookware and burner for demonstration  

 at the event

plates for judges sample

containers to transport the finished          

 dish to the event 

We Supply: You Supply:

EVENT CALENDARSPRINT & BLOG

TV & RADIO

Past Coverage 2015-2017

PAST CHEFS

PAST JUDGES & EMCEES

Music City Chef Throwdown Demographics

Contact us now to secure your spot as a chef!

Marketing Opportunities Included in Your Participation

Your sponsorship helps Martha O’Bryan Center continue and expand these services. 

Martha O'Bryan Center is located in East Nashville, in the heart of Cayce Place, less

than a mile from downtown Nashville, an area comprised of luxury condos, thriving

businesses, and state government offices.

DIRECT IMPACT AND RETURN ON INVESTMENT

MOBC SERVICES

MOBC IMPACT

marthaobryan.org/nextup

The average household income

for families in Cayce Place is

$7,494, 70% below the national

poverty threshold for a family

of four.  

Martha O'Bryan Center is located in East Nashville, in the heart of Cayce Place, less than

a mile from downtown Nashville, an area comprised of luxury condos, thriving

businesses, and state government offices.

SERVICES AND TARGET POPULATION

Martha O'Bryan Center's programs strategically work

together to build upward mobility, resiliency, and well-being

within families. Their programs work from “cradle to career":

equipping students with the academic and social-emotional

skills to thrive in any environment and through any

challenge

inspiring high school graduates to envision a future of post-

secondary success through exposure to enriching

opportunities

educating parents so they are better able to facilitate the

development of caring, competent, and healthy children. 

The Martha O’Bryan Center focuses on education. There is a line between a wealth of opportunities

and a poverty of choices.  Martha O'Bryan Center's goal is to break that line.  We believe poverty is

highly complex and requires the integration of programs, partners, families, youth, and community

working together to Break the Line between poverty and potential. 

90 percent of households are

headed by a single woman; 59

percent of residents are under

the age of 18.

59 percent of residents are

under the age of 18. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE.

marthaobryan.org/nextup

MOBC supports two Academic

Student Unions at Stratford’s

and Maplewood High School.

 With your help, over 1,000 high

school seniors will be more

mentally and financially

prepared as first-generation

 college students in 2018.

NextUP - Martha O’Bryan Center Ambassadors is a service-focused Nashville professionals group devoted

to awareness, fundraising, and volunteering for the Martha O'Bryan Center. NextUP is made up of 18

young to mid-career professionals. Learn more about this year’s team of NextUP Ambassadors at

marthaobryan.org/nextup. 

ABOUT NEXTUP

Martha O'Bryan Center is an anti-poverty non-profit organization founded in 1894, serving East

Nashville and the city core. The Center provides 20 programs at 11 sites to more than 10,000

individuals and families in poverty each year. Focused on high-quality public education, employment

training and placement, and wrap-around family services, Martha O'Bryan Center works to "break the

line of poverty" in Nashville. Learn more about Martha O’Bryan Center at marthaobryan.org.

ABOUT MARTHA O'BRYAN CENTER

THESE PROGRAMS SEE A $24 RETURN ON GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS FOREVERY DOLLAR INVESTED.