the team
French Rankin
French Rankin is a distinguished hospitality professional, bringing a wealth of experience to his role as VP Operations/General Manager of Humble Baron. Having led renowned establishments like The Palm in Nashville, he excels at transforming visitors into loyal guests, cultivating a strong sense of community. French’s expertise in seamlessly managing both front and back-of-house operations, paired with his talent for crafting unforgettable dining experiences, sets him apart in the industry. Known for his strategic vision, adaptability, and commitment to guest satisfaction, French has become a trusted leader in the Middle Tennessee market, now elevating Humble Baron with his seasoned expertise.
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Christina England
Christina is a dynamic leader with over 25 years of experience in the food and beverage industry. She is known for her team development skills, conflict resolution abilities, and operational efficiency expertise. With a proven record of reducing employee turnover and enhancing profitability through innovative leadership strategies, Christina excels in high-performing environments, where her mentoring abilities foster exceptional customer service and business growth. Passionate about collaboration and continuous improvement, she is dedicated to empowering employees and driving long-term organizational success. Through her commitment to excellence, Christina continues to make a lasting impact by developing strong teams and creating sustainable business success.
Carlos Jarrett
Carlos is a Grammy-nominated audio engineer specializing in recording, mixing, mastering, and live sound. With a deep passion for sound, he thrives in the high-energy atmosphere of live shows and the creative precision of the studio. As a live sound engineer, his career has taken him around the world with renowned artists such as After 7, Angela Winbush, and Nicole C. Mullen, allowing him to connect with diverse cultures and perfect his craft on the road. He has also had the opportunity to work with other artists such as Chrisette Michele, Kirk Whalum, Dr. Bobby Jones, John Legend, Lalah Hathaway, Bilal, and John P. Kee, to name a few. In the studio, his meticulous approach has earned him industry recognition and multiple awards, including a Grammy nomination. Influenced by legends like Quincy Jones, he prioritizes sonic details and innovation in every project, continually pushing the boundaries of audio technology to optimize live and studio workflows. Whether crafting a mix in the studio or running front-of-house at a live performance, Carlos is dedicated to delivering top-tier sound experiences and fostering growth in those he mentors. When not in the studio or on the road, Carlos enjoys spending time with his wife and six kids, traveling, hitting the beach, cooking, and watching or playing sports. He's a fan of LeBron James and the Tennessee Titans but finds even more joy in watching his kids flourish. Whether it's academics, playing sports, or navigating life, he is their biggest fan and coaches them to maximize their performance
Jay Craddick
At the age of nine, Chef Jay Craddick burnt his first egg. It was then that he learned the importance of temperature control. Being a military brat, he and his family traveled quite a bit which exposed Chef Jay to many different types of cuisine and styles of cooking. Summers were spent at his grandmother’s house watching her cook for him and his cousins. The ability of being able to feed him and his family with ease and delight truly impressed him. As Chef Jay continued to travel, he became more fascinated with the thrill of cooking and the smiles it brought to those that indulged in his culinary creations. At the mere age of 20, Chef Jay was challenged by his father’s question, “What can you see yourself doing for the rest of your life and love it even of you don’t get paid?” His response... “Cooking!” He promptly enrolled in Le Cordon Bleu culinary school where he met a fellow student collaborator and soon started a business selling food. This would not be the only business Chef Jay started. A few years later, Chef Jay and his wife, Tameka, started Tha J Spot Mobile Kitchen & Bar, a flourishing mobile kitchen experience. Throughout the years Chef Jay Craddick has provided amazing cuisine via his mobile kitchen, as well as, private and event catering. With many projects underway, Chef Jay is preparing to become the latest Phenom in the culinary industry.
Toya Young
My background in cooking, my love of food, comes from my early days of growing up with my grandmother. She showed me that our love for food is more than just that, it’s a passion. I have been cooking for as long as I can remember. My mother started a catering company in Georgia in 2005, and I was a major part of that. I decided to seek out my passion and find Chefs that could help me build on my craft and passion for food. I started working at Truist Park, in the Delta Sky Club, that is where I started to prefect my craft and techniques. I developed my confidence in my cooking skills as well as myself and was later given the title of Chef. A title that I earned and am very proud of. I later decided to take my craft to Tennessee, where I currently work, Humble Baron.