Chris Shepherd is a James Beard Award winning Chef and restaurateur who transformed Houston dining by celebrating the citys immigrant cuisines and local producers with menus that mix technical discipline and neighborhood flavors making his restaurants both inventive and accessible.
After training at the Art Institute of Houston and refining his craft at country clubs and Brennan's of Houston Shepherd opened Underbelly in 2012. He later co founded the Southern Smoke Foundation and wrote Cook Like a Local furthering his community minded mission.
Chris's Formal Culinary Training
Chris Shepherd studied culinary arts at the Art Institute of Houston, where he built a foundation in technique and kitchen operations. Early in his career he worked in country clubs which taught him volume cooking and consistency before moving into fine dining environments.
Shepherd joined Brennan's of Houston where he advanced from line cook to Executive Sous Chef and took responsibility for the wine program. That period sharpened his palate and management skills and prepared him to launch his own projects in Houston.
The Fastest Growing
Restaurant & Hospitality Job Platform
Looking for top paid jobs? Or Hiring for your business?
Chris Shepherd Restaurants & Businesses
Shepherd built a reputation by opening concepts that reflect Houston's culinary diversity and by collaborating with local producers and immigrant communities.
- Underbelly (2012) – His breakout restaurant that celebrated Houston's cultural mix and local ingredients. Underbelly earned national attention for its neighborhood driven menu and ingredient focused cooking.
- Underbelly Hospitality – The restaurant group that grew from Underbelly to support pop ups collaborations and other concepts in Houston while promoting local producers and cooks.
- Pop Ups and Collaborations – Shepherd has frequently partnered with fellow Chefs and community cooks to spotlight regional traditions and to test new ideas in short term formats.
- Smaller Projects and Consulting – After stepping away from the larger hospitality group in 2022 Shepherd shifted focus to smaller restaurants projects and consulting work while investing more time in nonprofit efforts.
While some group locations evolved or closed over time Shepherd's influence on Houstons dining scene remains visible through the chefs he trained and the producers he championed.
Chris Shepherd's Other Ventures
Beyond restaurants Shepherd expanded into publishing media and nonprofit work to amplify his culinary and community values.
- Cookbook: In 2019 he published Cook Like a Local: Flavors That Can Change How You Cook and See the World, a book that encourages home cooks to embrace local ingredients and global influences. The book was nominated for a James Beard Foundation Book Award.
- Television: Shepherd launched the TV series Eat Like a Local on Houston's KPRC in 2023 which explores neighborhood food culture. The show won a Lone Star Emmy Award in 2024.
- Philanthropy: He co founded the Southern Smoke Foundation, which provides emergency relief and mental health services to food and beverage industry workers. The foundation has distributed more than $14.8 million in direct emergency relief and funded over 8,675 no cost counseling sessions.
The Fastest Growing
Restaurant & Hospitality Job Platform
Looking for top paid jobs? Or Hiring for your business?
Chris Shepherd Shows
Shepherd brought his storytelling approach to television, using the medium to highlight local cooks and foodways rather than just recipes.
- Eat Like a Local (2023) – A Houston based series on KPRC that profiles the city's diverse restaurants and neighborhoods. The program received recognition with a Lone Star Emmy Award in 2024.
Through television and public appearances Shepherd extended his goal of making regional food accessible and celebrated.
Chris Shepherd Awards and Accolades
Shepherd's work has been recognized by peers and national publications for both culinary achievement and community impact.
- Food & Wine Best New Chefs (2013)
- James Beard Foundation – Best Chef Southwest (2014); Semifinalist for Outstanding Chef (2019); Cookbook nomination for Cook Like a Local.
- Robb Report – Named Chef of the Year (2019).
- Television – Lone Star Emmy Award for Eat Like a Local (2024).
- Philanthropy – Southern Smoke Foundation has become a major industry relief organization supporting thousands of workers in crisis.
Chris Shepherd Personal Life
Born and raised in the Midwest Shepherd moved to Houston to pursue culinary training and to build a career. He is known for being hands on in the kitchen and deeply engaged with the local food community.
Shepherd has kept many personal details private but is widely respected for mentoring younger Chefs and for elevating Houston producers and culinary traditions.
In July 2022 he announced his departure from Underbelly Hospitality to concentrate on smaller scale projects and to dedicate more time to the Southern Smoke Foundation and community initiatives.
Chris Shepherd Family and Friends
Shepherd tends to keep family life out of the public eye. Professionally he maintains close relationships with fellow Chefs suppliers and community leaders in Houston and beyond.
Many alumni of his kitchens have gone on to open their own restaurants and continue the network of mentorship he established.
Chris Shepherd Chef Profile: Conclusion
Chris Shepherd is a Chef whose work reshaped the way people think about Houston cuisine by centering immigrant traditions local producers and neighborhood flavors. His blend of technical skill community focus and advocacy has left an enduring mark on the region.
From Underbelly to the Southern Smoke Foundation and his cookbook and television work Shepherd continues to influence chefs diners and industry workers while championing resilience and culinary diversity.
Loading comments...