Q&A with Bill Purcell: Nashville’s Ex-Mayor and Hot Chicken Sage
Bill Purcell, ex-Mayor of Nashville and supreme authority on Hot Chicken speaks with the MvFN blog for a Q&A.
MvFN Blog: In 1996, the Tennessee House of Representatives, with your help, had Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack declared the best restaurant in Tennessee. What makes Prince’s stand out from the crowd?
Bill: This was one of my last official acts as Majority Leader of the Tennessee House of Representatives before leaving that office in 1996. It was done by Proclamation as the legislature was not then in session. Fifteen years later it hangs inside Prince’s proudly and undisputed, if perhaps a bit grease splattered.
As mayor of Nashville, you created the Hot Chicken Festival, an accomplishment you have called one of the great legacies of your time in office. You truly seem to love hot chicken, what is the backstory on the festival and the story behind your love of the dish? Finally, how ‘hot’ do you order?
There are an extraordinary number of people and things which make Nashville the special place that it is. Whether you were born here, or brought here, or came here on your own, you know there is no place like Nashville. And no place else has Hot Chicken. It is our indigenous food. And I eat it hot. It is, after all, hot chicken. The Hot Chicken Festival was the culminating event of the Celebrate Nashville activities in recognition of 200 years of Nashville as a city. If you are a member of M v F Nation you already understand why. And you will want to be here on July 4th, 2011 for the Festival.
Can you recount a favorite story or experience at Prince’s?
Tom Parker Bowles is a food writer for the Sunday Mail and Guardian newspapers in London. While I was mayor he asked to meet me and, frankly, I resisted as there are fewer of our voters in London these days. However, he said he wanted to eat at Prince’s Hot Chicken so, of course, I was in. I ordered the hot. He ordered the extra hot. I suggested he step back to hot. He insisted on extra hot. Though he was not yet related to the royal family, basic Nashville manners required no further demurral. The rest of the story can be found in Parker Bowles’ book “The Year of Eating Dangerously.” It is a difficult, troubling tale to read, though he was kind enough to write that I was correct. I have never seen him again.
In the past you have referred to your table at the restaurant as your second office. Have you ever held executive meetings at the Hot Chicken Shack?
Many meetings and decisions were inspired by Prince’s. Many meetings were shorter because we needed to get to Prince’s. Either way the decisions made were better.
It has been said that people come to Prince’s to cure ailments. Is this true?
Yes. Inside and out.
Finally, renowned Chef Thomas Keller visiting Nashville said that “[chicken] is a protein that we all enjoy”. The Tennessean newspaper followed saying it has historically had the ability to transcend cultural boundaries. Do you believe in the power of hot chicken?
I believe in the temporal power of Hot Chicken. Everyone here eats hot chicken, or will after they watch Adam Richman. And we are a better people because of this.
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Boom! There it is, from the man himself. Thank you Mr. Purcell. Hope you enjoyed it Nation! Shoot comments and thoughts! Stay tasty.
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