Real Good Kitchen Recognized as Small Business Excellence Recipient at Pinnacle Business Awards

The Knoxville Chamber is pleased to announce Real Good Kitchen as the recipient of the Pinnacle Business Award in the Small Business Excellence category. Real Good Kitchen is the Knoxville community’s first full-service, shared commercial kitchen and food business incubator. The Small Business Excellence award, sponsored by WorkSpace Interiors, is presented to an East Tennessee small business, employing 50 or fewer, that has consistently grown its workforce and revenue.

“Our philosophy has always been collaboration over competition,” said Bailey Foster, founder of Real Good Kitchen. “We have built a community inside the kitchen and in our networks that really supports the idea that if we all work together, we all grow together, we can all succeed together. Members of Real Good Kitchen will tell you the most impactful piece is building their business alongside other people in community.”

Since its founding in 2013, Real Good Kitchen has supported small food businesses through its facilities, business resources, and innovative programs. The company has diversified its revenue streams through a catering program that both benefits members and sustains the business. Real Good Kitchen also recently welcomed Magpies Bakery, a beloved local institution, into its fold, further strengthening its mission to support local food entrepreneurs.

“Real Good Kitchen represents the very best of the Knoxville area’s entrepreneurial spirit,” said Mike Odom, president and CEO of the Knoxville Chamber. “Their commitment to exceptional service and meaningful community impact makes them a deserving recipient of the Small Business Excellence Award.”

The annual Pinnacle Business Awards, presented by Pinnacle Financial Partners, celebrate regional business excellence, honoring outstanding professionals in nine categories for their contributions to the greater Knoxville economy. Winners are selected by the Knoxville Chamber Board of Directors. Approximately 200 companies are nominated annually for recognition.

“Congratulations to this year’s Pinnacle Business Award winners,” said Mike DiStefano, Pinnacle’s Knoxville president. “At Pinnacle Financial Partners, we are guided by strong values, and those same principles are clearly reflected in this year’s honorees. Building a successful business takes vision and resilience, along with steady leadership. We are proud to celebrate these Knoxville-area companies and individuals for their excellence and look forward to supporting their continued growth as we work together to strengthen the Knoxville region’s economy.”

For in-depth video interviews and more information on the Pinnacle 2026 Business Awards, presented by Pinnacle Financial Partners, visit www.knoxvillechamber.com/pinnacle.