NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nashville-based Tennessee Brew Works is pleased to announce that Chef Kayla Bridwell is stepping into the Chef de Cuisine role at their Nashville Taproom. She reports to Executive Chef Alex Leibow, who has relocated to the brewery’s new Lenoir City, TN location.
In her new leadership role, Bridwell showcases her culinary artistry through a collection of new menu offerings that embody the Tennessee Brew Works ethos, celebrating locally and regionally sourced, farm-fresh ingredients with thoughtfully crafted dishes. Inspired by the brewery's award-winning beers—and often incorporating them directly into her recipes—her menu additions showcase the flavors and agricultural heritage of Tennessee.
Joining the fan-favorite Five Beer Burger, Chef Bridwell introduces the Nash Smash Beer Burger, featuring an English ale bun, Hippies & Cowboys IPA-brined pickles, and Tennessee Brew Works craft beer smash sauce. New menu additions also include the Brew-BBQ Pork Sandwich with saison-brined pulled pork, the Pimento Grilled Cheese with Belgian white beer bread, pimento beer cheese, and Cherokee Purple heirloom tomatoes, and a seasonal Eloté Corn Chowder. Lighter offerings include fresh salads showcasing produce from Greener Roots Farm, Kentucky Farm Fresh Eggs, and RC Farms.
Born to Nashville-native parents, Bridwell spent much of her childhood as part of an Air Force family, living in communities around the world. Her passion for cooking was nurtured at an early age alongside her mother in the kitchen. This kindled a lifelong appreciation for the culinary arts. At 16 years old, she landed her first restaurant position at a bakery and sandwich shop in Oklahoma, setting the foundation for a career defined by creativity, dedication, and continuous growth.
Bridwell's culinary perspective has been molded by a milage of experiences gathered from the places she’s called home. Bridwell's culinary philosophy is defined by her belief in the power of food to bring people together. She is inspired by the comfort, connection, and sense of community that a shared meal can create among friends, families, and neighbors.
After relocating to Tennessee, Bridwell joined Knead Dough Pizzeria in Hendersonville, where she honed her skills in a scratch kitchen environment. She later advanced through the culinary ranks at Tennessee Grasslands Golf & Country Club in Gallatin before joining Tennessee Brew Works in 2018 as a line cook under then-Head Chef Alex Leibow.
Recognized for her exceptional talent, leadership, and innovative approach to cuisine, Bridwell was promoted to Sous Chef in 2021. Her continued commitment to excellence ultimately led to her appointment as Chef de Cuisine of the Tennessee Brew Works Nashville Brewery & Taproom.
“We create food with the same passion and craftsmanship that goes into every beer we brew,” said Chef Kayla Bridwell, Chef de Cuisine at Tennessee Brew Works' Nashville Taproom. “We create food with beer and LOVE!”
ABOUT TENNESSEE BREW WORKS
Tennessee Brew Works is an award winning independently owned and operated craft brewery that opened in 2013 with a mission to create high quality craft beer that pays homage to the land, traditions, and culture of Tennessee. It has locations in Nashville, BNA International Airport (Terminals A & B Rotunda) and coming soon to Lenoir City, Tennessee.
The brewery proudly introduced the state’s first commercially produced all-Tennessee grain beers in 2018 with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. Many will recognize the popular Hippies & Cowboys, Tennessee's favorite IPA. Also, their State Park Blonde Ale is the official beer of the Tenn State Parks, brewed with Tennessee-farm sourced ingredients and benefits the Tenn State Parks Conservancy for the preservation of the state parks.
Tennessee Brew Works brews beer with integrity, using only quality natural ingredients and sources them from local farms whenever possible; catering to those that appreciate the difference. They are owned and operated by folks in Tennessee. Their motto: “We work hard to create high quality craft beer that makes Tennessee proud. Our culture places importance on family, friends, and community, and we hope you’ll be a part of it.”
To learn more, visit Tennessee Brew Works at tnbrew.com.
###
