Vendor Spotlight – Nashville Catering Company, A Catered Affair

Arguably one of the most fun parts of the wedding process is picking out the menu. From trying a bunch of different cake samples and appetizers to deciding on the perfect entree, choosing your catering really can be the best. But, who you choose to handle the food on your big day is no easy task, especially when there are so many options! However, A Catered Affair, a catering company based in Nashville Tennessee, is there to ease any food related stress and ensure that you have the best food on your big day. Kellie Bryson from A Catered Affair sat down with us to talk about what her company does best, and that’s food! So, keep on scrolling to learn more, and a special shout out to all of the foodies out there, this ones for you!

How did you get into the catering business?

When I started the business, it originally started as a baking business – which led us to the catering division of the company.  We had so many wedding cake clients asking for a dinner menu! We started with simple fruit and cheese trays and from there we grew into full service catering.  

What does a typical wedding day look like for you?

If we are handling the catering only with our catering division, A Catered Affair, I check in with the culinary team in the morning to make sure the menu details are progressing the way that they want to meet the client’s goals. Then I will go to the site to make sure the team is loading in and setting up everything. From there I help with training any new people and have a conversation with the team so that everyone is on the same page for the upcoming service. I usually will stay through dinner time in case the team needs an extra pair of hands. 

What is your favorite dish to prepare for an event?

I love getting to set up a beautiful food station! Although I love the individual food items that we prepare as well, I also think that the décor and staging surrounding those dishes really make the whole experience memorable.

What is your favorite part of a wedding day/event day?

My favorite pare of any wedding or event day is the moment right before the event starts. I love seeing it all come together and ready to go.

What is your favorite dish to prepare at home?

I would probably have to go with a fancy brunch with cocktails as my go-to favorite dish to prepare at home!

If you could go anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?

I would go to Italy. I love the Italian Rivera and Tuscany so much! Italy just had a great vibe to it and, of course, GREAT food.

Before getting into the catering business, what was your dream job growing up?

I really thought I would “grow up” to be a medical doctor. I Loved science and I loved taking care of people, so much so that I actually ended up going to nursing school and working in the ICU for 13 years. It was after that when I decided that I wanted to start my own business. Catering does not deal with quite as much science as nursing does, but the organizational skills and attention to patient experience that I learned in the ICU absolutely helped me to start my business. After all, one of the most important things in the hospitality world is taking care of people.

How long have you been in the catering business? Why did you decide to start a catering company?

The company started in 1996 because I wanted to have control over my own path. When I worked in health care, I had no control at all over how my work day was spent.

A special thank you to Kellie Bryson over at A Catered Affair again for her awesome responses. If you’re thinking about catering your wedding or other important event soon, consider checking them out!