Today we’d like to introduce you to Chef Batts.
Hi Chef, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Chef Keith “Batts” is a culinary innovator, blending passion, precision, and an undeniable flair for reinvention. In 2011, he launched Chef Batts, LLC, crafting a unique catering style that turned everyday meals into haute cuisine. His expertise expanded into personal and travel chef services for NBA and NFL athletes, along with captivating cooking demos that introduced audiences to refined techniques and elevated flavors.
Never one to back down from a challenge, Chef Batts stumbled into the world of gourmet cookies in 2014 when tasked with baking chocolate chip cookies as Director of Food Services. With no prior experience, he committed to perfection, baking 1,000 cookies in one night until he nailed the recipe. The result? **Cookies by Keith**—a preservative-free, gourmet cookie brand now stocked in stores across Nashville and beyond.
His culinary prowess has earned him national recognition, with appearances on **Food Network’s Chopped**, **Supermarket Stakeout**, **USA Network’s Chrisley Knows Best**, and **Nashville’s Talk of the Town**. Print media has also taken notice, with features in **Stay On The Go, Edible Nashville, Nashville Scene, and NATIVE**. In 2016, he claimed the **People’s Choice Award** at the **Foodbank Throwdown in Nashville**, solidifying his status as a fan favorite.
But Chef Batts’ impact extends beyond the kitchen. As CEO of **Chef Batts Catering** and **Cookies by Keith**, he invests in the next generation, partnering with the YMCA Y-CAP program to teach students about healthy cooking while giving them hands-on experience in the kitchen. His commitment to giving back is unwavering—his **annual 100 Turkeys Drive** feeds 800 families in need, and through **Community Food Advocates**, he champions healthier snack options for kids.
Chef Batts isn’t just a chef—he’s a visionary, educator, and philanthropist, reshaping the culinary landscape one dish at a time.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My biggest challenges I have is getting enough sleep. Alot of late nights and early mornings. Also keeping good staff for events has been a challenge.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Chef Keith “Batts” is a **culinary innovator and community builder** whose work sits at the crossroads of creativity, discipline, and purpose. A **Tennessee State University graduate** with a **Bachelor’s in Business Management** and a **magna cum laude graduate of Johnson & Wales University** with a **Culinary Arts degree**, Chef Batts blends the sharpness of business strategy with the soul of a true chef. A proud **member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.** and a **Prince Hall Freemason**, he leads with excellence, service, and integrity—values that shape every part of his brand.
In 2011, he launched **Chef Batts, LLC**, creating a catering experience that redefined what it means to eat well. His cooking style transforms everyday meals into high-end dining experiences, marked by precision, flavor, and imagination. His reach quickly expanded beyond catering to include **personal and travel chef services** for professional athletes and **live cooking demos** that educate and inspire.
Chef Batts’ curiosity led to his next big success—**Cookies by Keith**. Born from a challenge in 2014, his preservative-free, gourmet cookies have grown into a sought-after brand, stocked across Nashville and beyond. His national television appearances on **Food Network’s Chopped**, **Supermarket Stakeout**, **USA Network’s Chrisley Knows Best**, and local features on **Talk of the Town** have made him a recognizable face in the culinary world, while numerous print features and awards—like the **People’s Choice Award at the Foodbank Throwdown**—cement his reputation for excellence.
What sets Chef Batts apart isn’t just his food—it’s his **commitment to people**. Through partnerships with organizations like the **YMCA Y-CAP program**, he teaches young people about healthy cooking and empowers them with real skills. His annual **100 Turkeys Drive** feeds hundreds of families each year, and his work with **Community Food Advocates** continues to improve access to healthy food options for kids.
Chef Batts is more than a chef—he’s a **visionary, educator, and philanthropist** using his craft to uplift others. His brand stands for innovation rooted in community, and his mission is simple: to make every meal, moment, and connection unforgettable.
SERVICES
Experience an unforgettable evening of culinary indulgence with an exclusive Airbnb Plated Dinner, curated and executed by none other than Chef Batts—a classically trained Nashville native and a Food Network Chopped alum. For just $100 per person, you and your guests will enjoy a private, three-hour dining event that transforms your home into a fine-dining haven.
Chef Batts will arrive with a full serving staff to deliver a flawless, white-glove experience. Every course is crafted from scratch using original recipes and locally sourced ingredients, blending Southern roots with refined technique. The evening begins with an artfully plated appetizer—think delicate squash blossom tempura with goat cheese mousse and a drizzle of smoked honey. For the main, indulge in a soul-warming masterpiece like herb-crusted lamb chops over truffle grits with charred okra and tomato confit. Finally, end on a high note with a showstopping dessert—perhaps a bourbon-soaked pecan tart with whipped crème fraîche and edible gold leaf.
Guests are welcome to watch the magic unfold in the kitchen, snap photos, take videos, or relax with a glass of wine while Chef Batts works. This is more than dinner—it’s a personal performance, a gourmet experience, and an evening to remember.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
COOKING MAKES ME HAPPY. ITS MY HAPPY PLACE.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://WWW.CHEFBATTS.COM
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefbatts/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Battscatering/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@chefbatts921
