About Us

Chef Ryan Francis founded Gather and Forge in 2015, driven by a deep belief that Austin was about to explode onto the national culinary stage. With 18 years of experience in every corner of the restaurant world—from dishwasher to executive chef—Ryan had worked across seven cities, collecting recipes, refining techniques, and soaking up the kind of gritty wisdom you can only earn behind the line.

He felt the pull of Austin’s energy all the way from NYC, and in 2013, landed a coveted spot at Bryce Gilmore’s Odd Duck, one of the most celebrated farm-to-table restaurants in town. There, he honed his craft and cultivated the spark that would become Gather and Forge. What started as a one-man private chef operation slowly evolved into something much bigger—an ever-growing team of top-tier chefs doing what they love, without the burnout of traditional restaurant life.

The idea was simple: take the best chefs, let them cook with creativity and integrity, and empower them to build financial freedom. Thousands of hours and every saved dollar later, Gather and Forge became the leading private chef service in Texas—and one of the most respected in the country.

Ryan now spends more time growing the business than behind the stove, laying the groundwork for chefs across the U.S. to thrive, connect with local farms, and create unforgettable food experiences.

Enter: Nibble.

In 2024, something unexpected began to take shape. Ryan’s sister, Mackenzie, began responding to charcuterie and grazing table inquiries coming through Gather and Forge—something that started as a side hustle quickly snowballed into a full-blown passion for crafting beautiful, thoughtful snack spreads. What started as a handful of boards turned into something much bigger: a new business venture called Nibble, co-founded by Ryan and Mackenzie.

Nibble is a grazing table and charcuterie company that celebrates the art of snacking—seasonal produce, artisan cheeses, local meats, and creative presentation that turns any gathering into an experience. Born from Mackenzie’s initiative and love for aesthetic (and delicious) food, Nibble is now the go-to service for anyone who believes the best meals are the ones you share, one bite at a time.

From elegant chef-prepared dinners to crowd-pleasing grazing tables, Gather and Forge and Nibble are building a food-forward future—one plate (or board) at a time.