What Is a Heritage Hero? Behind Our Heritage Fire Festival Award

Heritage Fire is dedicated to connecting local communities to the farmers and chefs that bring their culinary scene to life.

One exciting way we honor this network while on tour is by fueling some friendly competition and awarding one Heritage Hero at each stop.

WHAT IS A HERITAGE HERO?

A Heritage Hero is one of our featured chefs who wins the best bite of the day!

HOW DO YOU WIN HERITAGE HERO?

Upon entry to Heritage Fire and Whiskey & Fire events, guests are given tokens to vote for the best dish of the day. After savoring an assortment of bites and beverages, attendees vote for their favorites. As the grand feast concludes, the chef who accumulates the highest number of votes earns the title of Heritage Hero.

WHAT DO HERITAGE HEROES WIN?

The Heritage Hero at each location wins a custom cutting board engraved with the year and location of when they won, and more importantly, they unlock access to compete in the Heritage Hero Grand Finale.

WHAT IS OUR GRAND FINALE?

Throughout our Heritage Fire and Whiskey & Fire tour stops, we’re building the ultimate culinary lineup of Heritage Hero winners. To conclude our 2026 tour, we’re hosting one final competition: the Heritage Hero Grand Finale. The event will take place in Greenville, South Carolina, and here our winners from across the country will cook up more delicious bites and compete for the ultimate title, Heritage Hero Grand Champion.

WHO CAN ATTEND THE GRAND FINALE?

To compete in the Grand Finale, you must be a previous Heritage Hero from the 2026 tour. To attend the Grand Finale to support your local chef or try some incredible food, all you need to do is buy a ticket!

Congratulations again to our 2026 winners! Need a refresher on who’s won so far? Here’s our all-star lineup: