About Chef Travis Tanner

Nashville’s ultimate dining experience specializing in high-quality cuts of American beef, fresh seafood, and an award-winning wine selection, in partnership with premier luxury hotel brand, JW Marriott Nashville, today announced the appointment of Travis Tanner as the new Executive Chef of Michelin Star chef Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak. Chef Tanner’s masterful culinary skillset will inspire a revitalized luxury dining experience at the renowned Nashville steakhouse. As Executive Chef, Tanner will be responsible for overseeing menu development, sourcing ingredients, and providing culinary education at Bourbon Steak.

“Chef Tanner’s arrival marks a pivotal time for Bourbon Steak’s culinary journey. His presence signals a fresh approach to the total dining experience, promising innovative menus and flawless execution. We’re eager to witness the positive impact on guest satisfaction and the delicious flavors that will emerge under his leadership, ” said Gerald Chin, Head of Culinary, Mina Group.

Located on the 34th floor of the JW Marriott in Nashville, Bourbon Steak is Chef Michael Mina’s love letter to the classic American steakhouse. The restaurant accomplishes all the traditions expected from a timeless steakhouse, refined with worldly flavors and the creative flair of the celebrity chef. In his role, Chef Tanner is set to expand this vision and elevate Bourbon Steak to new culinary heights, setting a new standard for excellence in Nashville.

“Born and raised in Tennessee, I began cooking at the early age of eight assisting in my parents’ restaurant, Pleasantville Market & Restaurant, which is where I developed my passion for cooking,” says Chef Tanner. “I feel both proud and honored to take on this role and look forward to bringing new dimension to the Bourbon Steak menu.”

Before accepting the position with Bourbon Steak, Tanner served as one of the lead cooks at Omni Nashville from 2014-2019 under the mentorship of impressive talent including David Harker, Joe Deguira, and Cristian Mosquera. Within seven years he worked his way up to Chef de Cuisine of one of the highest-volume restaurants in the company while also assisting with the openings of Omni Louisville, and Omni OKC. During his tenure, Tanner maintained the highest employee satisfaction scores in the history of the hotel and achieved the title of leader of the Quarter in 2019. Most recently, Tanner served as the Executive Chef at True Food Kitchen, during which time he learned several new facets of operating in a stand-alone restaurant that prepared him for his role at Bourbon Steak.