The day after chef Jake Howell came home from winning a coveted James Beard Award this year, he was back in East Nashville scrubbing the bathroom at his restaurant Peninsula.

Why it matters: Howell's prize is the equivalent of a culinary Oscar, but he didn't spend much time at the after party.

• His rapid return to work reflects the mission statement of the tiny restaurant with a big reputation.

What he's saying: "I never wanted to have a restaurant where the intention was for people to think about me," he tells Axios. "I just wanted to have a restaurant where we cook food for people."

State of plate: Howell approaches his menu with surgical precision, but he rejects much of the pretense that typically comes along with fine dining.

Humility was built into Peninsula's DNA. It's super-small footprint (38 seats, just one six-eye stove in the kitchen) doesn't leave any room for unnecessary flourishes.

Yes, but: The Spanish-inspired food is far from pedestrian. Condé Nast Traveler recommended the restaurant for adventurous eaters and singled out braised rabbit and a blood sausage crepe from the ever-changing menu.

🎨 Fun fact: Before he found his way to the kitchen, Howell worked as a painter. But after he turned to restaurant jobs to support his painting, he realized a new passion.

Flashback: Howell and his fellow co-owners were initially based in Seattle, but they picked Nashville for their joint venture.

• When Howell came here in 2016, his only exposure to the city was the Robert Altman movie. But he says the city's real-life energy and community won him over.

Zoom out: Nashville has developed a thriving hub of upscale restaurants over the last couple of decades, but James Beard Awards have remained hard to come by.

• Howell was the first Nashville chef to break through in the Southeast category since Tandy Wilson of City House won in 2016.

The intrigue: The Michelin Guide doubled down on the praise last month, including Peninsula as one of its inaugural selections from Nashville.

• Peninsula was recognized as a Bib Gourmand restaurant offering high-quality cooking at a good value.
• "Buckle up for plates powered by character that take unexpected twists and turns," the Michelin Guide reads.

The bottom line: Howell says he and his tight-knit team of about 11 people have tried not to think too much about the accolades.

What's next: The Peninsula team is weeks away from opening a new bar concept in the Neuhoff District development in Germantown.

• "2025 has been great for us," Howell says. "It has also been a year of trying to figure out how to get better.
• "Our main focus is trying to keep the momentum going into next year."

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The first In-N-Out locations in Tennessee will open Wednesday in Antioch and Lebanon, the burger chain announced yesterday.

• A third new location, in Murfreesboro, opens Friday.

Why it matters: In-N-Out will have a heavy presence in the Nashville area. In addition to its eastern territory office, which is under construction in Franklin, a slate of new restaurants are on the horizon.

Dig in: Each In-N-Out will feature one drive-thru lane, seating for 74 guests inside and 30 outside under a covered patio.

• The locations serve from 10am until 1am daily, and until 1:30am on Friday and Saturday.
• In-N-Out is close to opening a fourth location in Franklin near its corporate office.

Zoom out: The company also announced plans to partner with the GraceWork Ministries and People Loving Nashville to "distribute essential care supplies to individuals experiencing homelessness," according to a press release.

What we're watching: New In-N-Outs tend to attract large crowds when they open. Who knows, maybe you'll spot the Axios Nashville team in the drive-thru line on Wednesday?

Go deeper: Read about In-N-Out's arrival in Tennessee.

The Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl pits the home-state Tennessee Volunteers against the Illinois Fighting Illini on Dec. 30 at Nissan Stadium.

Between the lines: After a somewhat disappointing regular season, the Volunteers (8-4) will look to end the season on a high note in front of what figures to be a partisan crowd.

• Tennessee opens as a 6.5-point favorite, according to FanDuel.

By the numbers: The Music City Bowl has served as an economic boost to Nashville during what historically was a tourism lull.

• Over its 27 years, the game has welcomed nearly 1.5 million fans and generated almost $450 million in economic impact, according to the Music City Bowl website.

🏗️ Midtown's development boom continues, with a new $130 million hotel and condo tower expected to break ground this month. (Tennessean)

🥳 The landmark "O Brother Where Art Thou?" soundtrack is turning 25, and the Grand Ole Opry will mark the occasion with a special celebration. (Music Row)

❌ Kroger plans to close a Nashville fulfillment center soon, a move that will lead to more than 100 layoffs. (WSMV)

GameStop stores nationwide accepted more than 80,000 trade-ins during last weekend's Trade Anything Day, where customers could bring almost anything in exchange for store credit.

The big picture: Each trade-in, which couldn't be alive or hazardous and had to fit into a 20x20x20-inch box, received $5 credit.

Zoom in: South of Nashville in Spring Hill, a location got a speed limit sign.

What happens to the trade-ins is up to individual stores — they can trash, donate or keep them.

• "Most stores received canned goods and pet food for donation to local shelters," GameStop's Nicolle K. Robles tells Axios.