Pilot Flying J and Celebrity Chef Tim Love Bring Ongoing Partnership to Music City Food + Wine Festival

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Pilot Flying J – the largest operator of travel centers in North America – will be amplifying its existing partnership with celebrity chef Tim Love by sponsoring the debut of his proprietary YouTube Channel, Love Bites, at the Music City Food + Wine Festival from September 15-17, 2017 in Downtown Nashville. Love Bites will be set on-site capturing short videos featuring the talent, fun and spirit of the Music City Food + Wine Festival through interviews, games and cooking demos with participating celebrity chefs and musicians.

Earlier this summer, Pilot Flying J announced a one-of-a-kind partnership with chef Tim Love, who will create new signature food items that will be available at all Pilot Flying J locations across the nation with the goal of providing fresh, convenient food options for interstate travelers. Known for his signature Urban Western cuisine, chef Tim Love will also develop food items specifically for Pilot Flying J's Southwest region locations, focusing on the flavors and specialties characteristic to the area.

"We're thrilled to be extending our partnership with Tim Love outside of Pilot Flying J locations to bring Love Bites to the Music City Food + Wine Festival," said Whitney Johnson, chief experience officer for Pilot Flying J. "From interactive cooking demos to competitions and rapid-fire interviews, Pilot Flying J is thrilled to be a part of the fun and spirit of the Music City Food + Wine Festival."

Pilot Flying J will also have a dedicated cooking demo and competition during Love Bites, where celebrity chefs and music artists will be asked to create their own peanut butter and jelly sandwiches utilizing an array of complimentary ingredients – a nod to one of the signature recipes chef Tim Love will be creating for select Pilot Flying J locations later this fall.

"Sponsoring Love Bites at the Music City Food + Wine Festival is a natural fit for Pilot Flying J as we continue to focus on establishing a strong culinary presence," said Shannon Johnson, VP of food innovation at Pilot Flying J. "Offering guests innovative, fresh and quality food options is a top priority for us."

About Pilot Flying J
Pilot Flying J, the largest operator of travel centers in North America, is committed to connecting people and places with comfort, care and a smile at every stop. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot Flying J has more than 750 retail locations in 43 states, more than 85 roadside assistance trucks and growing as part of its Truck Care Program, 44 Goodyear Commercial Tire and Service Centers, and 35 Boss Shops. The Pilot Flying J network provides drivers with access to more than 70,000 parking spaces for trucks, 4,900 showers and more than 5,000 diesel lanes offering Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) at the pump. Pilot Flying J is currently ranked No. 15 on Forbes' list of America's Largest Private Companies. Visit www.pilotflyingj.com for more information. Follow @pilotflyingj on Twitter and @pilottravelcenters on Facebook.

About Chef Tim Love
Texas chef Tim Love is known as much for his vibrant personality as his signature urban western cuisine at critically and popularly acclaimed venues including Lonesome Dove Western Bistro in Austin, Fort Worth and Knoxville, Queenie's Steakhouse, Woodshed Smokehouse, Love Shack, and the storied White Elephant Saloon. Love is a founding partner of the Austin FOOD & WINE Festival and Music City FOOD & WINE Festival in Nashville, as well as the official chef of Austin City Limits. He recently debuted Back Dough, a late-night pop-up serving sweet and savory doughnuts out of his restaurants' back kitchen doors on the weekends, with outposts at Queenie's Steakhouse and Lonesome Dove Knoxville and Austin. Love will also be expanding his portfolio to Houston this Spring, with three concepts in the works to open at Levy Park, including a second location of his acclaimed Woodshed Smokehouse. He lives between Austin and Fort Worth with his wife and three children. Follow @cheftimlove on both Instagram and Twitter.

SOURCE Pilot Flying J