Jessica Benefield IN As Chef at Upcoming East Nashville Restaurant Two Ten Jack

Jessica Benefield, a former executive chef at Virago, is in as chef for East Nashville's upcoming Two Ten Jack, an izakaya and ramen house. Benefield, who unfortunately most recently made headlines for suing her former employer, restaurateur Chris Hyndman, along with his M Street Entertainment LLC and Virago LLC, for job discrimination and harassment after being terminated, quickly worked her way up to the executive chef position at Virago, which she held for two years. Patrick Burke, co-owner/founder of local restaurant group Seed Hospitality, tells Eater that "[w]e are excited to be working with her and her experience brings even more depth to our team as we introduce the izakaya style of dining to Nashville." Burke's partner, restaurateur Jason McConnell, who is chef/owner of Franklin restaurants Red Pony, 55 South and Cork and Cow, among others, will help oversee the menu development, and Jon and Lindsay Yeager with Pour Taste are in charge of the beverage program. No official word yet on an opening date, but all signs point to sometime next month.
· Nashville's First Izakaya, Two Ten Jack, Coming to East Nashville [ENSH]
· Former Virago Executive Chef Sues for Sexual Discrimination [ENSH]