Cody Stone, part of the original 2005 sous chef team that launched Proof on Main at 21c Museum Hotel’s flagship Louisville property, has now returned to Proof on Main to serve as the restaurant’s executive chef. Most recently, Stone served as the executive chef at Decca restaurant in Louisville’s booming “NuLu” neighborhood.
With the guiding principle of embracing life’s most present moments, Stone’s influence comes primarily from the seasonality of nature. An emphasis on sourcing ingredients from the Ohio River Valley connects his dishes back to the region and allows local bounty the chance to shine through globally-inspired flavor profiles. In a city often described as the South’s northernmost outpost (or the most southern Midwestern town), traditional dishes of the American South and Appalachia are often the starting point but become reinvented with contemporary techniques and global influence.
One of the things that excites Stone the most about his serendipitous return to the Proof on Main kitchen is his ability to pursue continued creative freedom in his menus. He avoids categorizing himself into one distinct style of cuisine, but has a marked interest in both Mediterranean and Italian techniques. “I just want to bring it full circle. [Proof on Main] has evolved in its style over the years, as things always do, but I’m looking forward to bringing it back to its roots. Because really, it’s the same as my roots.”
An Iconic Louisville, Kentucky Dining and Drinking Institution
A Love Letter to the Ohio River Valley
Since its opening in 2006, Proof on Main has become a favorite among locals for its farm to table freshness and robust collection of Kentucky’s best bourbons. Mirroring the vibrant and eclectic interior, Proof’s menus showcase a unique and well-traveled approach to southern and Appalachian inspired cuisine.
A commitment to regional producers and ingredients evokes a vivid sense of time and place, and a commitment to using the best ingredients results in dishes and drinks that are as eye opening as the art on the walls. At Proof on Main simple pleasures, serious bourbon, and creative food go hand in hand.
January 23–February 8, show your Kentucky or Indiana ID and enjoy half off an appetizer or a complimentary dessert with the purchase of an entrée. Limit one per table.
21c Co-Founder Steve Wilson’s Birthday Celebration
February 7, 2026
Come celebrate with 21c’s co-founders, Laura Lee, and Steve Wilson! A four-course dining experience for $78 including a welcome cocktail & surprise entertainment. Here’s to another year of art and eccentricity at Proof on Main!
Chef Cody Stone and his team have curated this 3-course menu with value and your time in mind. When the time comes to order, please choose one from each course and let us do the rest.
These private barrels are bottled and sold exclusively by Proof on Main and 21c Museum Hotel. We work hand-in-hand with master distillers across the Commonwealth (and beyond) to bring you the very best of bourbon, and we're damn proud of what we've got.
Whether you’re hosting a romantic rehearsal dinner or an important business luncheon, Proof On Main offers a Private Dining Room for groups of up to 24 guests. Enjoy custom menus rich with local flavor created by the Proof Chef Team.
Our friends at 21c Museum Hotel certainly keep things interesting. Rotating exhibitions of contemporary art and site-specific installations carry over from the adjoining hotel and into our space.
