About Us

In 2007, a ‘Love at First Sight’ story began. Executive Chef Chris Rains was cooking for the Nashville Predators NHL hockey team, global superstars in music and entertainment, and thousands of attendees.  Erica Rains had recently moved back to her hometown of Nashville, and both had given up on love.

The two were cosmically connected online and on 11-11-07, Chris and Erica met and fell in love and the rest was history. Just months after meeting, The Chef and I catering division was born. 

​

Since then, this power couple has created a multi-million dollar culinary firm with a large catering division, an event venue, a flagship restaurant in the high end downtown Nashville district known as The Gulch, and a strong online division with virtual events, classes and merchandise. The Chef and I on Ninth is known for its interactive nature with the show kitchen, its approachable gourmet food, casual cool atmosphere, the daily chefs’ tasting menus, and incredible cocktails. 

Now, The Chef and I comes to Orlando and The Rains’ are excited to become part of the thriving culinary scene that highlights chef-driven concepts like theirs.

As part of the Hall at the Yard, a development in Ivanhoe Village in downtown Orlando, the restaurateurs will bring some of their home-run menu creations from Nashville and add some other dishes using the best of all the local items. One of the main elements of The Chef and I is to use fresh and local ingredients, highlighting the culture of the local market and bringing Chef Chris Rains’ own unique take on the dishes. 

Chris and Erica are excited to make Orlando their second home and look forward to sharing their passion of food and life with you soon. See you at The Hall!