Tomkats Hospitality, founded by Tennessee native Tom Morales, is a renowned brand in the culinary industry. With a deep love for the city and a dedication to its growth, Tomkats Hospitality has established numerous nationally-acclaimed restaurants, including The Southern Steak & Oyster, Acme Feed & Seed, and Southernaire Market. Growing up in Madison, TN with a large family, Morales learned to cook for a crowd at a young age.

His passion for Nashville was nurtured during family trips downtown, where they frequented businesses like Acme and Woolworths. After attending Auburn University, Morales gained valuable experience in the food industry by opening a barbecue joint in South Carolina and helping a friend open a seafood restaurant in Florida. In 1986, Morales founded TomKats, recognizing a need for on-location catering that provided healthy, scratch-made food for artists and crews.

He was an early pioneer of the farm to table movement, locally sourcing ingredients and tailoring menus long before it became popular. This dedication to hospitality has led to requests from A-list celebrities, directors, and producers for TomKats catering on movie sets. In addition to catering, Morales has successfully opened several restaurants, including the award-winning Saffire Restaurant and the iconic Loveless Café which he saved from demolition.

Furthermore, he has transformed historic landmarks in Nashville's SoBro District, reopening the Southern Steak & Oyster in 2012 and creating the modern honkytonk experience at Acme Feed & Seed. Morales also expanded the Acme brand by launching Acme Radio in 2016, an internet radio station showcasing the authentic voice of Music City. To cater to the downtown community, Morales introduced the Southernaire Market, an artisanal market and deli offering Creole-inspired dishes, locally-made goods, craft brews, and freshly made sandwiches and salads.

Throughout his career, Morales has received numerous accolades, including being listed on Restaurant Business's Power 20 List and Nashville Business Journal's Power 100 List. He was also nominated for Entrepreneur of the Year by the NEXT Awards and won the Spirit of the District award. With a commitment to quality and a love for his city, Tom Morales and Tomkats Hospitality have left an indelible mark on the Nashville food scene, creating unforgettable experiences for locals, visitors, and even Hollywood's biggest stars