One of the mainstays of the Nashville Post magazine is our In Charge list. Each year, we highlight the people that make our city work. Be them newly minted or seasoned veterans, we have trimmed this year’s list to the best of the best.
Bob Bernstein — Owner, Bongo Productions: Veteran contributor to city’s cafe and coffee culture with his Bongo Java and sister businesses. Company’s Fido has been a Hillsboro Village mainstay since 1996.
Nick Bishop Sr. and Nick Bishop Jr. — Co-Owners, Hattie B’s: Father-son tandem founded hot-chicken restaurant in 2012 in Midtown and have since opened locations in Atlanta, Austin, Birmingham, Dallas, Las Vegas, Memphis and Huntsville.
Matt Bodnar — Partner, Fresh Hospitality and Fresh Capital: Part of group involved with Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint, Biscuit Love and Taziki’s, among others. Company’s real estate holdings are numerous and include Hunters Station food hall in East Nashville.
Sean Brock — Restaurateur: James Beard Award winner and Southern food specialist formerly served as partner for Husk and founded Joyland and Audrey restaurants in Nashville.
Will Cheek III — Partner, Adams and Reese: Leads law firm’s alcoholic beverage group, providing licensing and regulatory compliance advice to restaurants, hotels, art venues, bars and clubs. Key legal sector player related to Tennessee liquor law.
Craig Clifft — Owner, Midtown Cafe: Assumed ownership in September 2024 of the longstanding Southern cuisine restaurant following the death of friend and business partner Randy Rayburn. Also co-owns Elliston Place Soda Shop.
Mignon François — Founder and CEO, The Cupcake Collection: Launched bakery business in Germantown in 2008 has since opened shops in South Davidson County and Hendersonville. Also operates outpost in her native New Orleans.
Benjamin Goldberg and Max Goldberg — Co-Owners, Strategic Hospitality: Brothers lead company known for acclaimed restaurants including Bastion, Locust, Henrietta Red, The Catbird Seat and recent James Beard Award finalist, Kisser. Made Josh Habiger partner in 2023.
Clint Gray, Derrick Moore and Emanuel “E.J.” Reed — Owners, Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria: Former TSU classmates have grown pizza and beer restaurant empire beyond North Nashville to locations in Memphis, Atlanta and Sacramento. Opened Franklin location, closed California location in 2024.
Howard Greenstone — Restaurateur and Co-Founder, Red Pebbles Hospitality: Former CEO of Emmy Squared pizza founded firm that manages Adele’s, Bajo Taco, Nashville Sundae Club and Sadie’s. Also serves as partner for The 404 Kitchen.
Cordia Harrington — Founder and CEO, Crown Bakeries: Former McDonald’s franchisee launched baking business in 1996, which has since grown to nine locations across the South and Midwest.
Julio Hernandez — Founder, Maiz de la Vida: Mexico native launched food truck located outside of Chopper bar, then opened brick-and-mortar location in 2024. Also manages a tortilla shop in North Nashville. Formerly worked for Hillwood Country Club, Nectar Urban Cantina.
Doug Hogrefe — Partner, 4Top Hospitality: Teams with Paul Schramkowski, David Conn and Ben Brock to operate multiple restaurants in Huntsville, Memphis and Jackson, Miss. Nashville fixtures include Amerigo, Etch, Etc., Jasper’s and Char. Etch added Franklin location in 2024.
Leina Horii and Brian Lea — Owners, Kisser: Married couple heads up East Nashville Japanese restaurant that opened in 2023. Establishment is the lone James Beard Award 2024 finalist from Nashville.
Vui Hunt and John Hunt — Co-Founders, Vui’s Kitchen: Husband and wife team founded casual Vietnamese-inspired restaurant in 2016 and manage four locations in Nashville area. The pair also owns Vui’s Juice Cafe.
Chris Hyndman — CEO, President and Founder, MStreet: With real estate investor Jim Caden, helped reinvent McGavock Street (aka MStreet) in The Gulch with Virago, Moto, Saint Anejo and Kayne Prime.
Jay Jenratha — Owner, Degthai: Street truck-turned-South Nashville brick-and-mortar serves Thai street food-inspired cuisine. Bangkok-born owner began in 2011 and established permanent location in 2020.
Wesley Keegan — Founder and CEO, TailGate Brewery: Oversees one of state’s largest brewing operations with locations in Music Row, North Capitol, Hendersonville, East Nashville, Bellevue and in Chattanooga. Added two new locations in Antioch and Murfreesboro in recent years.
Philip Krajeck — Owner, Chef and Managing Member, Rolf & Daughters, Folk: Was lone James Beard Award finalist from a Nashville restaurant in 2023. Plans to open Junior Restaurant and Wine Bar at Dickerson Pike site of former Piggly Wiggly building have stalled.
Andy Marshall — Owner and CEO, A. Marshall Hospitality: Runs Franklin-based company’s restaurant locations, including Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant, Deacon’s New South and Scout’s Pub. In 2024 closed three of its locations.
Pat Martin — Owner, Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint: Started business in Nolensville retail strip center and now offers Nashville, Louisville, Birmingham and Charleston spots. Also owns Hugh Baby’s burger chain. In 2024 starred in barbecue series Life of Fire.
Julie Felss Masino — President and CEO, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store: Former Taco Bell executive officially took the role of CEO in late 2023, replacing former CEO Sandra Cochran. Will oversee remodeling, menu changes.
Teresa Mason — Owner, Wilburn Street Tavern, Mas Tacos Por Favor: Began operating Mas Tacos in 2014 and jump-started dive bar Wilburn Street Tavern in 2018.
Claire Meneely — Owner, Dozen Bakery: Nashville native started business as pop-up in 2009 before finding brick-and-mortar location in Wedgewood-Houston in 2015. Company plans move to Woodbine in early 2025.
Margot McCormack — Chef and Owner, Margot Café and Bar: Previous James Beard semifinalist oversees Five Points restaurant that helped fuel Nashville’s culinary scene and culture. Formerly managed now-closed Marché Artisan Foods.
Trevor Moran — Owner, Locust: A 2024 James Beard Award semifinalist, the Ireland-born restaurateur and former Catbird Seat chef opened dumpling joint Locust in 2020 and pared down menu and hours in 2024.
Andy Mumma — Founder, Barista Parlor: Founded cafe chain in 2012 which has since grown to nine locations including one in the Nashville airport, and locations in Indianapolis and Louisville. Also manages Chopper Tiki Bar and Moto Moda.
Arnold Myint — Co-Owner, International Market: The 2024 James Beard Award semifinalist operates reprised Belmont Boulevard Thai restaurant with sister Anna Myint. Competed in season seven of Top Chef and known for drag character Suzy Wong.
Catherine Newman and Will Newman — Owners, Edley’s Bar-B-Que and 12South Filling Station: Wife-and-husband team operates eight barbecue locations in the Nashville area including, most recently, Gallatin. Couple also owns Pancho & Lefty’s Cantina.
Deb Paquette — Executive Chef, Etch: Local restaurant scene stalwart for more than 32 years. Involved with Etch in SoBro and Etc. in Green Hills. Also heads up West End’s Jasper’s in 2020 and a second Etch location in The Factory at Franklin in 2024.
André Prince Jeffries — Owner, Prince’s Hot Chicken: Matriarch of original hot-chicken purveyors added locations downtown, at Tanger Outlets and is planning a Jefferson Street location in 2025.
Lee Rathbun — Chief Administrative Officer, Restaurant Growth Services: Food industry veteran joined the company in 2018 and served in various roles before being elevated to the top spot in early 2025. Currently manages O’Charley’s Restaurant & Bar and Ninety Nine Restaurant & Pub, among others.
Austin Ray — Founder and President, A.Ray Hospitality: Operator of seven M.L.Rose neighborhood pubs, Von Elrod’s Beer Hall & Kitchen and Melrose Billiards (which has been open for 80-plus years). Closed Rambler, The Sutler and Sinema in recent years. Michael Shemtov Co-Principal, Honest to Goodness Hospitality. Teams with fellow principals Bryan Lee Weaver and Jake Mogelson to operate parent company of Butcher & Bee, Redheaded Stranger and most recently, Fancypants on Dickerson Pike.
Tandy Wilson — Chef and Owner, City House: Ranks among Nashville’s most respected chefs, having captured prestigious James Beard Award as 2016 Best Chef Southeast. Opened Germantown restaurant in 2007 and is credited with kickstarting the city’s dining scene.
Sarah Worley — Co-Owner, Biscuit Love: Began operations in 2012 with Airstream food truck. Operates with husband Karl Worley four Biscuit Love locations in Nashville area and one near Birmingham, plus a new Cincinnati location.