Hey y’all, welcome back to Nashville Restaurant Radio — I’m your host, Brandon Styll, and today I have the honor of sitting down with one of the most fascinating and talented chefs in our city — Jake Howell, chef and partner at Peninsula Restaurant here in Nashville, and the 2025 James Beard Award winner for Best Chef: Southeast.

This is a marathon of an episode — just over two hours — and honestly, I could’ve kept going.

Jake is a true creative force. Before he ever stepped into a professional kitchen, he was a painter in Seattle — crafting visual art while cooking on the side just to pay the bills. But somewhere along the way, cooking became the canvas. And despite his success, Jake told me himself — he’s still working to perfect his craft.

In this conversation, we dive into the mind of an artist turned chef, exploring his approach to food, his relentless pursuit of excellence, and his thoughtful — and sometimes unconventional — philosophy on leadership. Jake opens up about his journey, what inspires him, and where he loves to eat in Nashville.

The second half of the episode really settles into a rhythm — two people connecting over the things that matter most in this industry: creativity, passion, and people.

I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed being part of it.

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🗓️ Quick reminder before we get started: The NARA Connect event is happening Wednesday, August 14th from 3 to 6pm at the Music City Center. This is the official launch of the Nashville Area Restaurant Alliance, and it’s totally free to attend. If you’re a restaurant owner, chef, or GM — come hang with us, meet some amazing vendor partners, and connect with others in the industry.

🔗 Register now at www.naranashville.com and follow us on Instagram @naranashville.