Chef Tim Hollingsworth will head up the the food and pop-culture ChainFEST in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 5, which will gather 10,000 Angelenos together for the world’s largest celebration of chain restaurants.  Full of big flavors and bold nostalgia, Hollingsworth is expected to glam up dishes from restaurants including KFC, Red Lobster, and Panda Express. 

Under the culinary direction of  Michelin-starred  Hollingsworth,  each chain will showcase a one-of-a-kind pop-up restaurant.  ChainFEST will feature gourmet versions of iconic dishes, resurrect discontinued fan favorites, and debut new items that are headed to select menus later in the year. There will be more than  15  activations and collaborations from Domino’s, KFC, Panda Express, Cracker Barrel, White Castle, Johnny Rockets, Krispy Kreme, Red Robin, Red Lobster, Dutch Bros, Hot Dog on a Stick, Trader Vic’s, and the return of Koo Koo Roo.  Also, expect a curated taste of Los Angeles from Cash App and a spicy mainstage challenge with Pepto Bismol.

“We have twice as many partners at ChainFEST this year as our inaugural festival, which allows me to pull inspiration from my entire culinary journey,” Hollingsworth tells L.A. Weekly.  “With Cracker Barrel, I get to pull from my childhood roots in Texas with a country fried creation, we’re serving something with KFC that’s inspired by my winning dish at Tenderfest and I’m even pulling in some of what I learned at The French Laundry for our Red Lobster dish. I’m excited to share all these dishes with Los Angeles during this time when my restaurant Otium is looking for a new home.”

ChainFEST

Courtesy ChainFEST

 VISACash App cardholders will have first access to tickets for 48 hours starting today, and the rest go on sale Friday, August 23. Tasting Tickets start at $99.99 with 15+ gourmet bites included in every ticket, plus access to free games, photo moments, and other immersive experiences. VIP all-inclusive tickets start at $399.99 and include unlimited bites from all Chain restaurant partners, early festival entry, an open bar experience, and more. Want the world’s most luxurious chain restaurant experience? Reserve a seat at ChainFEST’s exclusive Chef’s Tasting VIP Table. A seated, full-service, non-stop chain food buffet with a never-ending supply of exclusive menu items from each participating chain restaurant starts at $1,299.99. 

Started by The Office actor  BJ Novak and partner  Hollingsworth,  CHAIN is a nostalgic celebrity-driven concept of chain restaurants.  The pop-up, which turned into a permanent space in LA  brought on  Chrissy Teigen as strategic advisor and investor earlier this month.