Tyler King has always had a passion for two things: curating delicious meals and providing clients prestige hospitality. In 2018 — at only 22 years old — he founded Tastify, a company committed to delivering a vibrant and extraordinary culinary experience at every occasion. Imagine the intimacy and attention to detail you'd receive if your favorite restaurant only had one table a night – that's the standard Tastify sets for every event.
Moving to Nashville in 2014, Tyler earned his degree in Entrepreneurial Studies at Belmont University. Utilizing the experience he gained in the restaurant industry in high school, Tyler spent all four years at Belmont working full-time for the university’s cafeteria. Upon graduation, the St. Louis native worked for various restaurants and corporate food service companies, with a focus on executing large corporate catering events and intimate dinners from both front and back of house perspectives. In 2018, Tyler founded Tastify out of frustration for the corporate red tape and lack of hospitality in the industry. Working three jobs at the time, Tyler started Tastify in a one-bedroom apartment — with only one meal prep client and one dinner party a month. Once 2020 rolled around, Tastify took off due to the at-home aspect of the company.
“I'd say about June of 2020, people started getting antsy,” Tyler shares. “At that point, they had been locked up in their houses for months and couldn't go out to eat or celebrate things. So, the phone started ringing. I hired an assistant and we took everything that we could get — there was no request too large or too small — and we hustled.“
Since 2020, Tastify now partakes in over five-hundred events a year. Your all-in-one solution for exceptional gatherings that outshine any restaurant experience, Tastify offers everything from unforgettable dining crafted with fresh, seasonal ingredients to seamless event planning that covers every detail. Tyler and his team offer luxury in-home dining experiences by professional chefs — whether you're looking for a personal chef in Nashville, dinner party catering, or weekly meal prep, Tastify brings restaurant-quality food to your kitchen.
Taking into account each detail, their skilled chefs will thoughtfully curate a menu that fits all of your needs; From allergies and likes to the decorations and atmosphere, they consider the visual aspects along with the client’s needs to tailor an event perfect for them. With a team of six, Tastify offers the hospitality and service of a five-star restaurant, without ever sacrificing the warmth and sociability for all guests. Serving all of Middle Tennessee, Tastify covers events of every caliber: from dinner parties to birthdays and weddings, corporate events, personal meal preparation, and beyond, Tastify goes above and beyond for their clients, creating a personally-tailored menu that exceeds expectations.
When asked about a common misconception of the food industry, Tyler says, “It's not really about the food… that’s not what people necessarily show up for. The real value is in the experience, personalization, and customization that guests feel, along with the level of care. Many things have become very automated, and I feel like if restaurants aren't going to step up to the plate and start treating guests with a bit more care, then we'll replace the restaurant.”
On a mission to revolutionize Nashville’s Dining Scene, Tastify believes the most memorable meals are shared with those closest to you, in the comfort of your own home. Built on the foundation of bringing the magic of a world-class restaurant directly to your kitchen, with personalized service, fresh seasonal ingredients, and unparalleled privacy, Tastify is more than a meal; you get an experience designed to elevate your life and create memories that will last a lifetime.
“My cooks are constantly challenged in a really healthy way,” Tyler explains. “Rather than the muscle memory that comes with cooking in a restaurant kitchen, rolling out the same dishes at the time. Being entrepreneurial is one of our core values for all the team — I want my employees to feel a sense of ownership over the food that they make or over the service that they're providing to somebody.”
For more information on Tastify, visit tastifyfood.com or follow them on socials @tastifyfood.