Chris Shepherd is the former Chef/Owner of award-winning Underbelly Restaurant (and Underbelly Hospitality), which he opened in 2012. He’s been awarded “10 Best New Chefs in America” by Food & Wine in 2013, a James Beard Award for “Best Chef: Southwest” in 2014, Robb Report's “Chef of the Year” in 2019, and Underbelly was named one of the best new restaurants in the country by both Bon Appetit and Esquire. In this episode, Shepherd shares why he has so much love for the Houston food community, why he recently decided to step away from Underbelly Hospitality, and his goal in focusing attention on the well-being of fellow industry workers. His Southern Smoke Foundation has distributed more than $10.4 million to food and beverage industry workers in need, via their Emergency Relief Fund. Enjoy this episode as we go Beyond the Plate… with Chef Chris Shepherd.This episode is brought to you by Graduate Hotels. This episode is brought to you by Martin’s Famous Potato Rolls.Check out our #BtPlatePodcast Merch at www.BeyondthePlateMerch.com Follow Beyond the Plate on Facebook and TwitterFollow Kappy on Instagram and Twitter