Ed Riley
Owner of Two Fat Men Catering

Ed has always had a passion for cooking. Raised on a farm in Byrdstown Tennessee Ed grew up working the farm and truly lived the term “Farm to Table”. He loved spending time in the kitchen with his mom and grandmother and many of their recipes are still used in our kitchen today. Ed is a self taught Chef; he sleeps eats and dreams of new and creative food ideas 24/7. He likes to put a ”Fat Man” spin on southern favorites that he grew up with like our yummy Meatloaf and Mac & Cheese to name a few.

After Ed graduated high school he served 6 years in the US Coast Guard as a Boatswain’s Mate, worked as a police officer in Murfreesboro for 5 years and has been involved with several different businesses in and around the Lebanon area.

Our catering business began with a cancer benefit over 13 years ago and is now an annual event raising money for Sherry’s Run and Tennessee Breast Cancer Coalition. What started with a few events here and there for friends and family has now turned into over 500 caterings a year. With the success of our catering business it was a natural step for Ed to open a restaurant. Mo’Cara Restaurant opened in 2012 and Ed pours his heart and soul into the operations daily.

Ed continues to live and learn about food with constantly reading cookbooks, attending culinary classes and his latest accomplishment to graduate from Penn State Culinary Ice Cream School. He refers to himself as an “Artist” with food as his canvas; his passion comes from his soul. Ed is passionate, soulful, artistic, caring and humbled that our guests would let us cater their very special event.

Karen Freeze
Managing Partner

Karen, who we’ve nicknamed “Catering Queen”, has been in the wedding event industry for 20+ years and has more gorgeous weddings and happy brides behind her than you can shake a bouquet at. Karen’s scope of work expanded to included weddings and events because of her passion for helping clients achieve “precious and beautiful moments to remember in their lives”.

She attended Western Kentucky University, has a BS degree in Hospitality Management and Business Administration. She started her career working for O’Charley’s Restaurants and opened over 30 of their locations overseeing all front of the house training. She worked for Bound’ry Restaurant as Director of Catering and was General Manager of South Street Restaurant before making Two Fat Men Catering her forever career home.

Karen is married and has 2 precious boys and a family jewel named “Dexter” their English Bulldog. During her spare time she enjoys scrapbooking, church, sports, shopping and more shopping. Karen is involved in many Middle TN Chamber Associations, NACE, ICA and served as president of TWESA.

Brenda Turner 
Sales And Event Manager

Brenda has been employed with Two Fat Men Catering for over 16 years working part time. She retired earlier this year from her full time job with Bridgestone Firestone and is now working full time for the Fat Man.

Catering is in her DNA, she loves seeing all the events develop from the initial email/phone call to seeing our couples eyes light up on wedding day when they see their dream come to life.

Brenda's love is sun and fun. If she has any opportunity she is beach bound. She is married