Cecil Rhodes, Tower Bridge Dinner Lead Chef
Nash & Proper
Nash & Proper’s co-owner & founder, Cecil Rhodes II, started his cooking career 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 2005. During his time at the CCA, he completed an externship at the prestigious Cliff House before being hired 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 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.
In 2016 a special called the “Bock Bock” started selling so fast that people started walking away because the sammich was 86ed.
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 and the ever-popular Nashville hot chicken. Nash & Proper was awarded the 2019 & 2020 Downtown Sacramento Calling all Dreamers contest.
Today Nash & Proper has 1 Brick and Mortar restaurant in Downtown Sacramento (with more to be announced soon), 2 food trucks, licensed partners in East Sac, Roseville, Davis, Natomas, Oakland, Mountain View, Cupertino and Campbell.
Along with the restaurants and food trucks, Cecil has been traveling to some of the biggest music festivals including Coachella, BottleRock, AfterShock, Golden Sky Welcome to Rockville, Sonic Temple serving up Nash & Proper hot chicken along with concepts consisting of Birria Tacos, Vegan Tacos, Jerk Chicken and Plantains, Oysters and much more.
Cecil is part of many different companies and organizations including Sacramento Black Restaurant Association.
