MEMBERSHIP
MEET The Chef & I
The Chef & I began thirteen years ago when owners Chef Chris and Erica Rains met and fell in love. What started as a private chef service grew into a large-scale catering division and is now a restaurant in Midtown sharing the Rains’ culinary expertise with all of Nashville. The Chef & I has been a Chamber member since 2010, when its engagement began with the young professional initiative, YP Nashville.
Erica is a recognized business and community leader in the restaurant and hospitality industry and was a winner of the Chamber’s Nashville Emerging Leader Awards in 2016. Through the years, the Chamber has supported The Chef and I with multiple ribbon cuttings as their business grew, and Erica has been a keynote speaker for several small business programs to share her entrepreneurial and growth strategy with Chamber members and other Nashvillians. The Chef & I has been recognized in multiple publications including the Nashville Business Journal, Nashville Post, Nashville Scene and Franklin Lifestyle Magazine, and we look forward to their continued success and involvement in the Chamber.
“The word “support” is what comes to mind when thinking of my years of membership at the Nashville Area Chamber. Over the past decade, we’ve had so much love and support from the Chamber at different levels from my NELA nomination and win to highlighting our business and referring us to potential clients. It feels good to know my friends at the Chamber can trust us to deliver on a standard of excellence to other members and visitors as well! Relationships are the most valuable aspect, as we have fostered literally hundreds of relationships over the years that originated through the Chamber.”
Erica Rains, CEO, The Chef & I, Engage Level Member
Highlight #1
The collaborative spirit of our region allows Middle Tennessee to thrive economically. The Chamber’s work is made possible by our more than 1,800 members representing more than 260,000 employees who are driving our region’s future.
Highlight #2
Our members range from entrepreneurs, small business owners, mid-sized companies to large corporations across more than 100 industries. At present, 85% of our members are considered small businesses with 100 employees or less.
Highlight #3
This past year, the team hosted 50 ribbon cuttings and grand opening celebrations and more than 250 engagement meetings for new and existing members to share opportunities to get engaged with the Chamber and grow their business.
Highlight #4
Between June 2021-July 2022, we welcomed 306 new members, a 24% increase compared to pre-pandemic numbers. Through Chamber events, programs and initiatives, our members have grown their businesses, taken leadership roles in the community, mentored each other, and helped Middle Tennessee grow and prosper.
