Celebrity Chef Network works with groups, brands, companies and tradeshows all over the country. One of the top markets for the company continues to be Texas. Our booking agents are experts at finding local celebrity chefs and/or celebrity chefs that have restaurants in whatever city/state. Texas is home to several restaurants owned by celebrity chefs, known both nationally and internationally. Here are some notable examples of celebrity chefs with restaurants in Texas:
1. Wolfgang Puck
- Restaurant: Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck (Dallas)
- This restaurant was located atop Reunion Tower and featured Asian-inspired cuisine. However, it closed in 2020. Wolfgang Puck is well-known for his global restaurant empire and appearances on numerous cooking shows.
2. José Andrés
- Restaurant: Zaytinya (Frisco, near Dallas)
- José Andrés, the celebrated Spanish-American chef and humanitarian, opened this Mediterranean restaurant in Frisco, offering a menu inspired by Greek, Turkish, and Lebanese cuisine.
3. Tim Love
- Restaurants: Lonesome Dove Western Bistro (Fort Worth, Austin), Love Shack (Fort Worth)
- Tim Love is a renowned chef known for his expertise in Western cuisine and barbecue. He has multiple restaurants across Texas, particularly known for his Fort Worth-based culinary empire.
4. John Tesar
- Restaurant: Knife (Dallas, Plano)
- John Tesar, a James Beard Award nominee and contestant on Top Chef, is famous for his take on steakhouse fare. Knife is highly regarded for its dry-aged steaks and creative dishes.
5. Aaron Franklin
- Restaurant: Franklin Barbecue (Austin)
- Aaron Franklin is a barbecue legend and James Beard Award winner. His Austin-based Franklin Barbecue is famous for its long lines and some of the best brisket in the country.
6. Chris Shepherd
- Restaurants: Georgia James, Underbelly Burger (Houston)
- Chris Shepherd, a James Beard Award-winning chef, has several restaurants in Houston, known for his bold and creative takes on Southern and Houston-inspired cuisine.
7. Tyson Cole
- Restaurant: Uchi (Austin, Houston, Dallas)
- Tyson Cole is a James Beard Award-winning chef and one of the most renowned sushi chefs in the country. His Uchi locations across Texas are acclaimed for their innovative Japanese cuisine.
8. Richard Blais
- Restaurant: Four Flamingos (San Antonio)
- Richard Blais, a Top Chef winner and frequent TV personality, opened Four Flamingos at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort in San Antonio. The restaurant focuses on coastal-inspired cuisine.
9. Mashama Bailey
- Restaurant: Diner Bar (Austin)
- Mashama Bailey, a James Beard Award-winning chef from Savannah, Georgia, expanded her footprint with The Diner Bar in Austin, part of the Thompson Austin hotel, featuring Southern cuisine.
10. Kent Rathbun
- Restaurants: Abacus (Dallas), Jasper’s (Plano)
- Kent Rathbun is a Texas-based celebrity chef known for his upscale take on American cuisine. Both Abacus and Jasper’s have received numerous accolades under his leadership.
These chefs have established a strong presence in Texas, contributing to the state’s vibrant and diverse culinary scene.
11. Hugo Ortega
- Restaurants: Hugo’s, Caracol, Xochi (Houston)
- Hugo Ortega, a James Beard Award-winning chef, is famous for his authentic Mexican cuisine. His restaurants in Houston are beloved for showcasing the richness of Mexican flavors.
12. Michael Mina
- Restaurant: International Smoke (Houston)
- Michael Mina, a Michelin-starred chef, teamed up with Ayesha Curry to open this globally-inspired barbecue restaurant in Houston, focusing on grilled and smoked dishes from around the world.
13. David Chang
- Restaurant: Fuku (Houston, Dallas)
- David Chang, founder of the Momofuku empire and a James Beard Award winner, brought his casual fried chicken concept Fuku to Texas, serving up fast-casual chicken sandwiches and sides.
14. Bobby Flay
- Restaurant: Bobby’s Burgers (Dallas)
- Bobby Flay, the Food Network star and Iron Chef, has Bobby’s Burgers in Dallas, offering gourmet burgers, fries, and shakes with his signature flair.
15. Rick Bayless
- Restaurant: Tortazo (Dallas)
- Rick Bayless, known for his mastery of Mexican cuisine, operates Tortazo in Dallas, which focuses on tacos, tortas, and other Mexican-inspired dishes.
16. Tom Colicchio
- Restaurant: The Terrace at Highland Park Village (Dallas)
- Tom Colicchio, Top Chef head judge and James Beard Award winner, designed the menu for The Terrace, which serves farm-to-table, seasonal dishes with a focus on local ingredients.
17. Emeril Lagasse
- Restaurant: Emeril’s Coastal Italian (San Antonio)
- Emeril Lagasse, famous for his catchphrase “Bam!” and being a pioneer of celebrity chef culture, brought his Italian-inspired cuisine to San Antonio with this relaxed coastal dining concept.
18. Marcus Samuelsson
- Restaurant: Marcus at the Thompson (San Antonio)
- Marcus Samuelsson, a James Beard Award-winning chef and Top Chef Masters champion, opened this restaurant at the Thompson Hotel in San Antonio, which features globally-inspired dishes.
19. Daniel Boulud
- Restaurant: Le Pavillon (Dallas)
- Daniel Boulud, a Michelin-starred chef and one of the most celebrated chefs in the world, has Le Pavillon in Dallas, offering contemporary French cuisine in a fine dining setting.
20. Giada De Laurentiis
- Restaurant: Giada (Houston, opening soon)
- Giada De Laurentiis, the Food Network star, is planning to open a new restaurant in Houston, bringing her fresh Italian flavors to the city with her signature California-Italian fusion style.
These chefs add further diversity and flair to the Texas dining scene, with influences ranging from Italian and French to barbecue and Mexican cuisines. Celebrity Chef Network is always available to assist in your search for a celebrity chef in Texas, anywhere is in America and around the world.
If you or your brand and/or organization would like to hire any of these incredible celebrity chefs contact us at (833) 773-2577 or email to speak with a celebrity chef agent to discuss top celebrity chefs available for your organization and event.
