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.
We're bringing the tiki spirit to Louisville with a hot n' tropical pop-up bar takeover from Miluakee-based bar, PufferFish Tiki! Here for one night only from 4-9PM, make sure you don't miss this one.
Dinner and Conversation with Chef Cody Stone and the Courier Journal
January 31, 2025
Presented in partnership with the Courier Journal, "At The Table" is a storytelling-driven dining experience narrated by a conversation between Executive Chef Cody Stone, and food journalist Amanda Hancock.
Distiller Dinner ft. New Riff Distilling | Bourbon Classic Week
February 20, 2025
Four courses expertly paired with craft cocktails from across the New Riff portfolio, the dinner will also feature New Riff co-founder, Jay Erisman, highlighting stories and insights into the distillery's history and practices.
Subscribe to our Proof on Main and 21c Selects Private Barrel Bourbon Program email lists so you can stay up-to-date with all things new (both on the plate and in the bottle).
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.
