Hal M. Holden-Bache is the executive chef at Eastland Café in Nashville, TN.  Hal has extensive culinary experience, previously working at the Capital Grille at the Hermitage Hotel and as executive chef at Nick and Rudy’s for 5 years.

Hal’s culinary education began with a Culinary Arts degree at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.  After graduating with his degree, he was accepted into the coveted Culinary Apprenticeship Program at the world-class Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, a perennial AAA Five-Diamond award winner, and the number one post-secondary culinary education in the United States. 

During his studies at The Greenbrier, Hal interned with world-class chefs like Hartmut Handke CMC, Peter Timmins CMC, and Tom Colicchio.

After graduating at the top of his class from the prestigious Culinary Apprenticeship Program at The Greenbrier, Hal came to Nashville where he has spent the last 9 years exhibiting his culinary talents.

During this time in Nashville, Hal has found success at the following events:

• In 2002, Hal won the “People’s Choice Award” at Soup Sunday (a noted annual charity event to raise funds for abused and neglected children sponsored by “Our Kids”) with his Lobster Bisque and Chive Chantilly creation.

• Hal followed his initial victory by winning the 2003 Soup Sunday “People’s Choice Award”, this time with his innovative Five Onion Soup with Crispy Shallots.

• The following year at Soup Sunday 2004, Hal won first prize in the “Souper Chef Challenge,” competing against other Nashville chefs in a one-hour “mystery basket” contest.

• In 2005 Hal won both the "People’s Choice Award" and “Souper Chef Challenge” at Our Kids Soup Sunday.

• In 2007, he again won the "People's Choice Award" for his Roasted Pear Soup with Gorgonzola Crostini.

• Hal won second place in the “Tennessee Restaurant Association Beef Competition”, where he competed against 16 other chefs from Tennessee.

• Eastland Cafe won Best Restaurant in the in the 2010 Best Of Metromix Nashville competition.

See Chef Hal on Nashville's Talk of the Town: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vK0dtFSw5Ro

Hal looks forward to continuing to showcase his culinary talents at the Eastland Café, serving the Nashville community and extending his culinary knowledge, skills and accomplishments.