Dru's Vues, too: Randy Rayburn Culinary Institute dedication

Rep. Brenda Gilmore (D-54), Randy Rayburn with his wife Sonata
and their son, Duke. Behind Duke is Grace Morales.
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Randy Rayburn Institute of Culinary Arts is named for the man who stood behind it all the way.

Nashville eats out at Sunset Grill, Midtown Cafe and Cabana, thanks to owner Rayburn's vision in starting them after age 40. He describes himself as more of a restauranteur than a chef. He is a master chef, though, with a certificate from the Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park, New York.

"Not everyone can go to CIA as I did," Rayburn told friends gathered at Nashville State Community College for the dedication. "There are a lot of young people in Middle Tennessee who need an opportunity to grow," he observed.

Rayburn's own community college education in Jackson inspired his support for Nashville State Community College. NSCC President George Van Allen told him there was a freeze on new programs. Rayburn replied, "OK then I went to friends for help." . He thanked Rep. Brenda Gilmore (D-54), Sen. Douglas Henry (D-21), Rep. Gary Odom (D-55) and then-Gov. Phil Bredesen for helping to secure a $40 million amendment to the state budget four years ago.

"We all worked together with Bobby Thomas and others to make sure we had Nashville Tech as well a good community college." He especially praised "Mayor Karl Dean who really gets education the same way my friend (former mayor and governor) Phil Bredesen did." Rayburn and his friends raised $1.3 million in matching funds for the institution.

"This culinary school is part of my joy," Rayburn said in appreciation of having the school named for him. He announced Sunset Grill, Midtown Cafe and Cabana will annually fund a full tuition scholarship for a second year culinary institute student.

Quoting Bob Dylan, Rayburn said, "You gotta serve somebody," adding his own quote, "you have to care."