It’s “gourmet meets rock n’ roll,”

…says Erica Rains, co-owner and founder of The Chef & I, a culinary firm specializing in interactive culinary experiences for foodies looking for comfortable gourmet and catering. The flagship location in Lenox Village, south of Downtown Nashville, opened in 2012. A second location, The Chef & I on Ninth, is set to open later this year in The Gulch.

The restaurant’s fusion fare boasts luxe pairings with a Southern twist like crispy duck breast and waffles and blackened chicken and grits. But passion and a love of people underscore the success of The Chef & I. That’s evident not only in their growth, but the laughter and cheers heard throughout the restaurant during one of many tasting events and chef battles. “I believe in engaging the customer in a different way,” says Erica as she speaks of the restaurant’s show kitchen, interactive culture (including a new live stream of the kitchen on YouTube!), and gourmet menu. “We specialize in elevated dining.”

“You have to make hay while the sun is still shining!”

And Erica seems to have been made for this. A Nashville native and daughter of an entrepreneur, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism with a double major in Marketing and Public Relations from Middle Tennessee State University. After college, skill and talent collided, earning her a spot on twenty-five radio stations in three markets over an 18-year period. She even had her own television show and produced several radio programs. In one way or the other, Erica’s sparkling personality and keen insight have made her a staple behind and in front of the microphone.

But ten years ago, she met and married Chris Rains, an executive and private chef with 30 years of experience. When they decided to open the Chef & I just three months later, she knew that she’d found her happy place, in more ways than one.

Yet starting a business is scary. “A good entrepreneur has fear somewhere in the back of their mind. Whether it’s from leaving the security of guaranteed income or the fear of failure.” But in time, she learned to let go of that fear and do what needed to be done to pave the road to success. “Use fear as a motivator. Be passionate about your business, face your fear, then figure out ways to overcome it.”

Over the years, she’s drawn strength from lessons her father, a retired entrepreneur, taught her, like “make hay while the sun is shining.” Which translates into “while you can, do the best you can with what you have. If you don’t have enough, go get more.”

Of her entrepreneurial journey thus far, her biggest regret is not asking for help early on. “I thought I needed to do it all, and that wore me out and wasn’t effective,” says Erica. “When people offer to help, take them up on it, then pay if forward.”

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Photo credit to Sarah Bailey Photography.