The career trajectory of Reiko Renee Tate, owner and creative director of Menu Maker Catering, is one riddled with creativity. A graduate of Spelman College, where she studied economics, painting, and art history, crafting memorable spaces is more than what she does – it is who she is.
A native Nashvillian, hailing from Hillsboro Road, Reiko lived a stint in Wheaton, Maryland, before Menu Maker Catering called her back home.
Through business ventures like ReikoRenee Creations, where she created handmade jewelry and original artwork, or Fun+Art+Wine, a sip-and-paint experience she curated, fostering experiences where food and art intertwined has always been her wheelhouse.
After spending time as a corporate event planner for a law firm in D.C., it was her mom who raised the idea of acquiring Menu Maker Catering.
The business, at this point, was 27 years old with an owner who was ready to move on.
At first, Reiko was hesitant and admittedly uninterested.
But her mom was persistent and convinced Reiko to sit down with the owner and her husband in December 2017.
The rest is history; Reiko was convinced.
After almost a year of back-and-forth financial talk, Reiko acquired Menu Maker Catering on the first of August in 2018.
As a previous client of Reiko and Menu Maker Catering myself (they catered our Nashville’s Not Just Country event), I will be the first to say Reiko and her team know how to curate a vibe and whip up some amazing food.
Curating a space and experience that people will remember is the pillar for Reiko and her business.
She believes food is more than a meal – it is the experience that shapes how people remember events.
“I love the people part of it, and I like the events part of it, and so that’s why I like the food. It’s a huge part of the event; that’s what people talk about afterwards.”
Whether it is a corporate event or a wedding, Reiko and her team aim to improve with every event. “My goal for everybody is to constantly be upping the game as it relates to ourselves and as it relates to our last event. We are only as good as our last event.”
Curating spaces that are beautiful, memorable, and picture-perfect, with food that leaves an impression, is something Reiko and her team strive for and do very well (I think about those hot chicken sliders daily).
In addition to serving up delicious food and memorable events, helping the Franklin community is just as important to her. With partnerships including the Boys & Girls Club and GraceWorks, Reiko strives to align her business with organizations that stand for a great cause.
Outside of work, this self-proclaimed artist at heart likes to spend her time at places like the Frist, Cheekwood, and catching art exhibitions at TSU.
Her advice to women entrepreneurs like her looking to jump into the catering business is this: “You have to love it. You have to love the chaos of the events; having natural love and desire to make people happy is something that will carry you.”
With Menu Maker Catering, Reiko has found the perfect intersection where creativity, food, and events meet. What started as a chance opportunity has become a calling and a stronghold in her community. For Reiko, success is not just about the food on the table, but the joy and memories it brings to the community she serves.
Photography + Video: Elle Danielle
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Great article! I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying Menu Maker’s fare twice now. And I loved every bite she offered. Additionally the set-up is a beautiful work of art.
Kudos and continued success to Reiko and her team!