Skip to main content
Thursday, October 29, 2026Oct 29
Subscribe
All Sections
Search
More

This story is exclusive to subscribers.

Meet the chef: With Chattanooga catering company Party Bites, Antonio Tate perfects his chemistry for cooking, catering

Staff photo by Abby White / Chef Antonio Tate poses for a portrait with his signature Chai Bourbon glaze to a salmon filet. Chef Antonio Tate is the owner/ head chef for Party Bites, a Chattanooga catering business.
Staff photo by Abby White / Chef Antonio Tate poses for a portrait with his signature Chai Bourbon glaze to a salmon filet. Chef Antonio Tate is the owner/ head chef for Party Bites, a Chattanooga catering business. Staff photo by Abby White / Chef Antonio Tate poses for a portrait with his signature Chai Bourbon glaze to a salmon filet. Chef Antonio Tate is the owner/ head chef for Party Bites, a Chattanooga catering business.

By Anne Braly 7 min read

Like any job, catering also has its ups and downs. For Antonio Tate, owner and chef of Party Bites Kitchen + Catering, the downside of his career is the constant coaching and training necessary to maintain company standards to set his company apart.

But the upside is why he keeps at it.

“It’s so rewarding to be in a position to provide for several families through our team’s hard daily work and have the opportunity to touch and serve so many people,” he says.

Originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, Tate, 45, enrolled in a culinary arts program at Grand Rapids Community College but became impatient with a classroom-only class — no cooking involved. So he left the community college to find practical experience. With work at several restaurants and help from a list of mentors, he gained the experience needed to start Party Bites Kitchen + Catering and Event Space in 2020.

Meet chef Antonio Tate

Staff photo by Abby White / Antonio Tate is the owner and head chef of Party Bites, a Chattanooga catering business.
Staff photo by Abby White / Antonio Tate is the owner and head chef of Party Bites, a Chattanooga catering business.
Staff photo by Abby White / The Party Bites Kitchen & Catering logo.
Staff photo by Abby White / The Party Bites Kitchen & Catering logo.
Staff photo by Abby White / Party Bites chef Antonio Tate uses various seasonings for his chai bourbon glaze.
Staff photo by Abby White / Party Bites chef Antonio Tate uses various seasonings for his chai bourbon glaze.
Staff photo by Abby White / Party Bites chef Antonio Tate's salmon fillet is finished with his signature chai bourbon glaze.
Staff photo by Abby White / Party Bites chef Antonio Tate’s salmon fillet is finished with his signature chai bourbon glaze.
Staff photo by Abby White / Party Bites chef Antonio Tate adds his signature chai bourbon glaze to a salmon fillet.
Staff photo by Abby White / Party Bites chef Antonio Tate adds his signature chai bourbon glaze to a salmon fillet.
Staff photo by Abby White / Party Bites chef Antonio Tate adds his signature chai bourbon glaze to a salmon fillet.
Staff photo by Abby White / Party Bites chef Antonio Tate adds his signature chai bourbon glaze to a salmon fillet.
Staff photo by Abby White / Party Bites chef Antonio Tate blackens a seasoned salmon fillet.
Staff photo by Abby White / Party Bites chef Antonio Tate blackens a seasoned salmon fillet.
Staff photo by Abby White / Party Bites chef Antonio Tate blackens a seasoned salmon fillet.
Staff photo by Abby White / Party Bites chef Antonio Tate blackens a seasoned salmon fillet.
Staff photo by Abby White / Party Bites chef Antonio Tate seasons a salmon fillet.
Staff photo by Abby White / Party Bites chef Antonio Tate seasons a salmon fillet.
Staff photo by Abby White / Chef Antonio Tate poses for a portrait with his signature Chai Bourbon glaze to a salmon filet. Chef Antonio Tate is the owner/ head chef for Party Bites, a Chattanooga catering business.
Staff photo by Abby White / Chef Antonio Tate poses for a portrait with his signature Chai Bourbon glaze to a salmon filet. Chef Antonio Tate is the owner/ head chef for Party Bites, a Chattanooga catering business.

With his wife, Onteaya, he also has formulated a masala chai seasoning that can be used in recipes beyond tea. At sipmorechai.com, he explains they were looking for a chai blend that was balanced between spicy and gingery extremes. Their Cha Cha Chai is served in several restaurants and bookstores in Chattanooga and the Nashville area, and the blend is available for purchase for home use.