“OUR STORY”

NASH & PROPER Ownership Team

CECIL RHODES II

FOUNDER, CO-OWNER, EXECUTIVE CHEF

Born & Raised in Sacramento, California, Chef Cecil started cooking as a line cook at Moxie Restaurant in 2000. After cooking at Moxie & Moxie Jr. for 5 years he chose to attend culinary school and eventually graduated from the California Culinary Academy ”CCA” in San Francisco in 2004. During his time at the CCA, he completed an externship at the prestigious Cliff House before being hired on as a permanent line cook. After spending time in SF, Cecil helped open Crush 29 in Roseville, beginning as the lead line cook during the formation of the restaurant in 2006. Eventually taking over the executive sous chef position, Cecil went on to create the majority of Crush 29’s menu. Looking for a chance to take the next step Cecil became executive chef at Bella Bru Cafe in Carmichael. This will is where he would spread his wings and start to develop his own flavors fusing his southern roots with his California upbringing.

In 2014, Cecil opened Cecil’s Taste Food Truck and One Soul Catering. Cecil’s Taste focused on Smoked Pork Belly, Gourmet Burgers and rotating seasonal specials.

The landscape changed when a special called the “Sammich” started selling so fast that people started walking away because “the Sammich” was 86ed. A deep-fried boneless chicken thigh, laced with dill pickles, a spicy–tangy mayo, topped with dill brine vinaigrette drenched cabbage-jalapeno slaw all on a butter bun.

In 2018 “Nash & Proper” was born!!!

Nash & Proper is a collaboration of Cecil’s love of fried chicken, Jake’s social media genius and creative direction with the ever so popular Nashville hot chicken.

JAKE BOMBARD

CO-FOUNDER, CO-OWNER, CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Born & Raised in Sacramento, California, Jake grew up with a passion for food. Cooking & baking alongside his grandmother and mother. In 2003 Jake decided to take the leap and go off to study the culinary arts at the CCA in San Francisco. During his time at the CCA, Jake completed his externship at Roy’s Restaurant in La Jolla California before being hired as a full time pastry cook. This is where Jake truly discovered his passion for baking and the pastry arts. After 4 years in San Diego, Jake decided it was time to move back home.

After a brief stint at the Firehouse Restaurant in Old Sacramento, Jake joined the team at Crush 29 in Roseville, where he met Chef Cecil. Jake worked his way up the ranks, staring as a pastry cook and eventually making it to sous chef and exec chef.

Jake and Cecil parted ways for a bit but eventually linked up again when Cecil got his food truck “Cecil’s Taste” where Jake managed for some time.

The first time Jake & Cecil tried Nashville style hot chicken they were blown away, and knew that they needed to bring it to the masses.

Jake has always been into design, marketing and branding and with the formation of Nash & Proper, Jake has been able to use his creativity and aesthetics to bring the brand to life.

OUR FIRST EVENT-OUR STREET NGT MKT [2018]

ORIGIN STORY

It all started on a cold December night in 2017. Cecil and Jake were catering a holiday party and wanted to try out a Nashville style hot chicken sandwich. They had only tried KFC’s busted ass version, and knew it could get so much better. They worked their magic in the kitchen and after one bite, they knew they were onto something.

Cecil perfected the recipe at his food truck “Cecil’s Taste.” People loved it to the point that it would sell out. So he and Jake pooled their money and rented a food trailer.

So what should they name their new concept? Jake came up with the name Nashville Proper - Nashville being a nod to the city where the original came from and Proper meaning done well, and within city limits.

Cecil started calling it Nash & Proper and the name stuck.

Their first event was in June of 2018 at Yellow Brick Group’s “Our Street NGT MKT” on R Street in Sacramento, CA. It was a huge success and began the word-of-mouth movement around Nash & Proper’s best fried chicken sandwich in Sacramento.

Soon Nash & Proper grew from one trailer to three food trucks - still serving up the best fried chicken in town. In 2019, they were invited to vend at one of NorCal’s largest music festivals, Bottlerock Napa.

In 2019 Jake and Cecil entered and won Downtown Sacramento Partnership’s “Calling all dreamers” contest to get assistance to open a restaurant in downtown. The experience was amazing, and in 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Nash & Proper opened their first brick-and-mortar restaurant at

1023 K Street.

They hope to keep delivering quality fried chicken to the masses and pushing forward.