As a child, Craig Clifft made numerous appearances on the hit TV show Hee Haw, and was in some of the first commercials produced by American Airlines. As a teen, he spent many hours in, around and above Nashville's John Tune Airport earning a pilot's license. His love of flying inspired him on to a Bachelor's of Science degree in Aeropsace with a concentration in commercial airlines.
Craig began his restaurant career while still in college, as a host, bartender and server at F. Scott's. As fate would have it, he was hired at F. Scott's the day before Randy Rayburn was hired as general manager. Craig learned all aspects of running a restaurant and moved up the management ladder. Randy soon moved on to open Sunset Grill, and within three years Craig joined him to serve there as general manager.
During Craig's tenure as general manager, under the watchful eye of Rayburn, Sunset Grill blossomed. Sunset Grill has won more local and national dining awards than any other restaurant in Tennessee. Craig also discovered another passion, wine. As wine director at Sunset Grill, he became a somellier, and created the popular series of wine classes which he still teaches. Currently with more than 400 wines by the bottle and 100 by the glass, Sunset's wine list has garnered the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence every year since 1992.
A native Nashvillian, Craig is immensly poplular with patrons and employees alike. He has an endless supply of smiles, hugs and uplifting words. Diners are drawn to his warm hospitable mood and attention to detail. He is is deeply admired for his boundless energy and positive nature. One of his greatest strengths is acknowledging talent and empowering those in his charge with responsibility and trust. He has a gift for knowing when to intercede with guidance and encouragement.
Craig also has a passion for electronics and computers. Cabana will be in many ways a fruition of this passion as well as his desire to create a unique dining experience in Nashville. He has carefully reviewed every detail of the restaurant which will include more than 200 programmable LED lights throughout, plus private cabanas equipped with plasma screens, dvd, surround sound and wireless broadband internet. |
