Cara Graham

CARA GRAHAM’s inviting smile is a warm, familiar feeling for steady restaurant-goers in the Nashville, Tennessee, area. And even if it’s your first time meeting her, the pleasure is all the same. With over 20 years of restaurant experience, Cara’s front-of-house savvy has perfected her knack for setting the tone. Her résumé extends to several Nashville favorites, along with a Business/Management degree that keeps all-things-business in check at Lockeland Table, her venture with partner and Executive Chef, Hal M. Holden-Bache. For Cara, it’s all about being connected to people and creating experiences. Owning a restaurant in the booming culinary scene of Nashville has proved to be her perfect outlet. Perched within the Lockeland Springs neighborhood on the east side of the city, Lockeland Table has become a staple since their opening in August 2012. Not only are they deep-rooted in providing exquisite food and drink, they are also invested in and committed to giving back to the community that supports them with a full house nearly every night. Hal and Cara are very involved in local philanthropy, including their own Community HourTM which donates a portion of the proceeds from their “Happy Hour” to the local Parent Teacher Organization at Lockeland Design Center. Cara is as local to Nashville as they come. Born and raised in Pegram, Tennessee, and now lives in East Nashville with her husband and two boys. She finds it rewarding to be surrounded by a committed and involved community. Because of this, Cara is dedicated to providing wonderful experiences for her neighbors through food, camaraderie, and charity.

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Awards/Honors:

  • 2013 James Beard Nomination for Best New Restaurant

  • Metropolitan Historical Commission Architectural Award, Nashville, Davidson County (2012)

  • The Tennessean Your Town Award (2016)

  • Southern Living’s Best Bars In the South (2013)

Community Involvement:

  • Les Dames Nashville Board member (2017-2018)

  • Inaugural Nashville Les Dames Tour de Farms—Gold Sponsor (2017)

  • Vice co-chair at YMCA board, Martha O’Brien Center

  • Founder of Lockeland Table’s Community Hour (donates a portion of proceeds to Lockeland Springs Design Center PTO)

  • Lockeland Springs Tour of Homes

  • Soup Sunday (Our Kids, under privileged and abused children)

  • Farmhand Dinner (Nashville Farmers Market)

  • Fall Crush (Multiple Sclerosis)

  • Dining Out for Life (HIV/Aids Service Organizations)

  • Cornelia Fort Pickin’ Party (Cornelia Fort Airpark)

  • YumEast! (Fannie Battle Children’s Home)

  • East Nashville Tomato Fest

  • Dinner on Main (Kingston Springs, Farmers Market)