Chris ShepherdUnderbelly Hospitality

Chef Chris Shepherd has helped change the landscape of the Houston culinary scene with his restaurants Underbelly, One-Fifth, Georgia James and UB Preserve since 2012. His foundation Southern Smoke has distributed more than $8.9 million—both directly to workers in the food and beverage industry in need via the Emergency Relief Fund and to organizations that represent the needs of people in the industry. Chris was named Best New Chef by Food & Wine in 2013 and was then awarded the 2014 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest. He has been recognized by Eater, Bon Appetit, Esquire and more.