A little about us:

Actual Food Nashville is a full-service catering company, offering all levels of food and bar service. The Actual Food philosophy focuses on high quality and local ingredients to create clean, delicious, and beautiful meals, which become the focal point of any event. Our menus include classic southern, modern Mediterranean, Asian fusion, vegan, and various other cuisines. We will customize a menu to your exact tastes or dietary needs.

Our service ranges from backyard barbecues to black tie galas, and we bring the same level of care and attention to detail to each and every event we cater. Every step of our process is designed to bring your vision to life on the day of the event. We offer attentive communication from our event design team, tastings with a menu customized to your unique preferences, craft cocktail creation sessions, and seamless cohesion with any other vendors you are working with.

Along with a talented bar team and a robust craft cocktail program, we also have an off-site catering liquor-by-the-drink license, allowing us to be your one-stop shop for alcohol and bartending service.

Our Team

  • Lindsey Bradshaw

    Event Manager + Co-Owner

    Lindsey is one of Actual Food Nashville’s event managers and is also a co-owner. As the wife of founder Dan Forberg, she brings a thoughtful eye for detail and a calm, confident presence to every event. Lindsey plays a key role in helping bring the team’s creative vision to life.

  • Dan Forberg

    Owner + Founder

    A lifelong entertainer and hospitality-driven entrepreneur, Actual Food Nashville was brought to life through a commitment to quality over quantity, high-touch service, and exceptional event execution. With a passion for people and a perfectionist’s eye, we ensure your event is seamless and unforgettable.

  • Graydon Atchley

    Executive Chef

    Graydon is a chef with serious edge and a passion for global flavor; bringing his bold, boundary-pushing style back home to Nashville after cooking his way around the world. Known for transforming top-tier ingredients into unforgettable culinary experiences, he crafts every menu with a perfect balance of client vision and epicurean prowess.

  • Luke Zimmerman

    Sales Director

    With over a decade in upscale hospitality, Luke brings heart, insight, and experience to every event he helps shape. As Sales Director, he’s your go-to for turning your event into a stylish and memorable experience.

  • Autumn Zimmerman

    Catering Event Coordinator

    A Nashville native with a passion for hospitality, Autumn blends expertise and precision to create events as vibrant as the city itself. With her eye for detail and calm command, events are executed to perfection.

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