MEET THE TEAM….
Owner — Tammy Nelson
A fifth-generation restaurateur, Tammy Nelson was practically raised in the kitchen. Food has always been at the heart of her family’s story — a way to connect generations, celebrate community, and show love through service. That legacy continues today at Grateful Fed Catering, where Tammy leads with heart, humor, and a deep sense of purpose.
Married and rooted in Farmville, Virginia, Tammy has built Grateful Fed into more than a catering company — it’s a living expression of soulful hospitality. Every menu, event, and partnership is crafted with gratitude, creativity, and intention. She believes that when food is prepared with love, it nourishes more than just the body — it feeds the mind and spirit too.
Tammy and her team of intentional cooks take pride in sourcing fresh, local ingredients whenever possible and designing experiences that honor both the season and the soul of the occasion. Under her leadership, Grateful Fed embodies the company’s seven core values:
Gratitude, Homemade Quality, Community Connection, Integrity, Creativity & Culture, Resilience, and Wellness Through Food.
Together, those values form the heartbeat of everything she does — from the care that goes into each plate to the warmth that fills every gathering.
Tabitha Hall – Pastry Chef
Since joining Grateful Fed in the fall of 2023, Tabby has been the heart behind the sweet side of our kitchen. As our pastry chef, she believes baking is more than a craft — it’s an act of love and light. Every detail matters to her, from perfecting a recipe to placing serveware just right on a display. That care and intention show in everything she touches, whether it’s a tray of delicate tiramisu cupcakes or a perfectly balanced dessert table.
Though it’s hard for her to pick a favorite dish, Tabby has a soft spot for our chicken parmesan sliders — and, of course, anything sweet she’s baked herself. Her passion for pastry began during her time at Longwood University, where she earned a degree in music and originally planned to become a teacher. But life had other plans, and her creative spirit found its rhythm in the kitchen instead.
Outside of work, Tabby loves spending time in nature and baking for her friends and family. She approaches life with curiosity and grace, guided by her mantra: “Think of it from a different perspective.” Her favorite quote — “Ain’t that just the way,” from Over the Garden Wall — reminds her that sometimes the best things happen when you let go and trust the flow.
If Tabby were a comfort food, she says she’d be mac and cheese — warm, humble, and full of heart. Her secret ingredient in life is knowing that change is part of growth. Every chapter, like every dessert, has its own sweetness — and she’s here for it, one delicious bite at a time.
Angela Patterson – Office Manager & Resident Right Hand
Every great kitchen has a heartbeat, and at Grateful Fed, that heartbeat is Angela. As Office Manager—and Tammy’s real-life cousin turned sister-in-spirit—Angela is the steady force who keeps the lights on, the bills paid, and the wheels turning smoothly behind the scenes. Quiet and grounded, she’s the calm in the storm, making sure every invoice balances and every detail is handled with care. Her presence is the perfect blend of reliability and grace, a reminder that success is built not just in the kitchen, but in the quiet consistency that happens beyond it.
Angela lives in Keysville with her husband, Jamie, and their four beautiful children. Family is the center of her world, and when she’s not managing the business side of Grateful Fed, you’ll find her cheering from the bleachers at a ball game, supporting an FFA event, or beaming with pride at one of her kids’ concerts or award ceremonies. On her cherished days off, she loves nothing more than curling up on the couch with her family, a good book, or a cozy movie night.
If Angela were a comfort food, she says she’d be a baked potato—simple, warm, and always dependable. “There’s nothing better,” she laughs, “than wrapping myself up and laying on the couch like a potato.” True to form, Angela brings that same comfort and quiet strength to Grateful Fed every day—steady, nourishing, and always exactly what you need.
Starr Yates- Sous Chef and Catering Coordinator in Training
Starr, known in our kitchen as StarrBar, has been part of the Grateful Fed family for a year and some change, and we truly do not know what we would do without her. Starr shows up ready to work, ready to learn, and ready to take care of the people around her.
Her favorite dish to make is mac and cheese, which she has dialed in through repetition and a whole lot of practice. Her favorite dish to eat is spinach and artichoke stuffed chicken. Starr lives by the idea that practice makes perfect. She has taken a lot of constructive criticism in the kitchen, never let it break her spirit, and used it to grow. She listens, adjusts, and keeps going. That kind of heart is rare.
If there is a hard job, Starr is the one who can do it. She knows how to whisk a pot and turn a wrench, and she tackles the tough tasks without complaining. She is one of the hardest working people you will ever meet, and she jumps in wherever she is needed to make sure service happens and the job gets done.
When she is not at Grateful Fed, Starr loves all things spooky. She creates props for haunted houses and works as a scarer at the Amelia Fright Fest each year. October is her favorite month. She loves Stephen King and her favorite book is Right With the Door Closed. She drives a 1995 Chevy Silverado that fits her just right.
If Starr were a comfort food, she would be a cinnamon roll. Warm, sweet, and steady, with a center that feels like home. She is deeply family oriented and believes the secret to life is family connection. She is the kind of person who quietly takes care of everyone she loves.
Her quote is, “Life’s too short to eat bad food.”
In our kitchen, StarrBar lives that truth every single day.
Corinne Hymer – Catering Coordinator
Corinne is the heartbeat behind so many of our events, the quiet force who makes the magic happen long before guests ever walk through the door. As our Catering Coordinator, she handles the setups, the breakdowns, the load-ins, the logistics, and all the beautiful in-between moments that turn an empty room into a Grateful Fed experience. If our white van is zipping through town, it’s probably Corinne heading off to transform another space with intention, care, and that signature touch that makes even our weekday lunch bar feel like something special.
Her story is one of resilience and rising. Born prematurely and wearing hearing aids since childhood, she has faced obstacles that could have slowed her down — but Corinne has never been the type to fold. Every challenge has shaped her into the strong, steady, soulful woman she is today. Much like the phoenix in our logo, she rises every single time, bringing grit, grace, and an unshakable spirit to our team.
In the kitchen or on-site, Corinne is everywhere she needs to be — attentive, thoughtful, and the one who keeps the flow moving with a quiet confidence. She sets up displays that feel warm and intentional, making guests feel welcomed, cared for, and delighted at first glance. She also has strong opinions about food, especially the comforting kind: Tabby’s desserts (which she swears are pure magic), Starr’s mac and cheese, and anything wrapped between two slices of bread. If Corinne were a comfort food, she’d be a really good sandwich — layered just right, balanced, humble, and unexpectedly soulful.
Corinne unwinds with music, especially the kind of artists the world hasn’t discovered yet, and she holds a sweet spot for her idol, Willie Nelson. In true Willie fashion, she believes in enjoying life’s little herbs and harmonies — nothing loud, nothing flashy, just a gentle nod to the things that keep the spirit grounded and the creativity flowing.
And if you ask her for a favorite quote, she’ll tell you with a grin,
“I’ve always been crazy, but it’s kept me from going insane.” – Waylon Jennings
It fits her perfectly — layered, honest, a little wild, and absolutely essential to the Grateful Fed family
Devon Vick - Dishwasher Extraordinaire and Catering Assistant
Every great kitchen has a backbone, and at Grateful Fed, that backbone is Devon. As our dishwasher extraordinaire, she keeps the entire operation moving with a rhythm all her own. Thanks to the height of our dish shelves, Devon gets a full step workout every day, lifting, stacking, and putting away the clean gear that every single plate of food depends on. Without her, nothing else in the kitchen could even begin. Clean pots and pans are the foundation of every great meal, and Devon helps us build that strong foundation with pride.
She assists with prep, helps shape and bake our famous rolls, and is steadily learning to step into her own as both a caterer and a budding sous chef. Watching her grow her skills and confidence has been one of the quiet joys of our kitchen. Devon is dependable, open hearted, and always ready to help wherever she is needed.
Her favorite thing about working at Grateful Fed is serving and feeding others alongside friends, which makes perfect sense, because her heart is pure Southern hospitality. She always has a smile on her face and treats every person she meets with kindness.
Devon loves fried chicken, loves making rolls, and describes herself in the kitchen as slow and steady. Outside of work, she enjoys time with her kids, walking by the river, and seeing live music. She lives by a simple truth from the Beatles. "All you need is Love."
One of the most beautiful things about Devon is her loyalty. She has had the same best friend for thirty eight years, and that best friend is none other than our own Corinne. That says everything about her character.
If Devon were a comfort food, she would be chicken and dumplings. Warm, filling, soulful, and exactly what your spirit needs. Her personal mantra is just as nourishing. If you wake up with a heartbeat, the universe has given you purpose. Your job is to go out and live.
And Devon does. Every single day. With love, with intention, and with a steady strength that makes Grateful Fed better in every way.
Pete Mirguet - Executive Chef
Some people come into your life for a season. Others become part of your story.
I've known Pete for nearly 30 years. Our journey began at Charlie’s Waterfront Café, where Pete was the General Manager and I was a server just starting to find my footing in the hospitality world. From there, we worked side by side through Celebrations at the Waterfront, High Street Diner, and countless catering events, weddings, and restaurant adventures.
Over the years, Pete has worn just about every hat in the industry, but one thing has never changed: he knows how to lead a kitchen, build a team, and make a plan come to life.
Originally from Rochester, New York, Pete attended Virginia Tech before discovering his passion for hospitality and food service. His decades of experience span restaurant management, catering operations, culinary leadership, and team development.
At Grateful Fed, Pete serves as Executive Chef, overseeing kitchen operations, menu execution, production, and event service. Whether he's running a carving station at a wedding, coordinating a large catering event, or creating one of the signature dishes our guests rave about, Pete brings consistency, creativity, and professionalism to everything he does.
Many of our customers know him as the mastermind behind some of Grateful Fed's most-loved recipes—including the honey bourbon sauce that has become a customer favorite. But his impact extends far beyond the food.
Pete has always believed that hospitality is about people first. He understands that successful events happen when teams feel valued, supported, and empowered to do their best work. His calm presence, steady leadership, and willingness to jump in wherever needed help keep Grateful Fed moving forward every day.
What makes Pete truly special is his ability to show up, figure it out, and get it done—no matter the challenge. He keeps the kitchen running smoothly, the team grounded, and occasionally reminds the owner to take a breath and step away when life calls.
And because this is Grateful Fed, we never take ourselves too seriously. Pete is the subject of plenty of good-natured kitchen jokes, and our team works hard to keep him humble. Thankfully, he takes it all in stride.
After decades of friendship, collaboration, and shared adventures, having Pete back in Farmville and standing beside me at Grateful Fed feels a little like coming full circle. We are incredibly grateful for his leadership, his partnership, and the heart he brings to our team every single day.
