Philippe Schmit - Recipe for Success

Philippe Schmit

After spending the last two years carefully planning for his new restaurant concept, Texas-loving Chef Philippe Schmit is back in the saddle again and is happy to introduce Houstonians to Philippe Restaurant + Lounge. Prior to his return, French-bornChef Philippe served as Executive Chef and Partner at bistro moderne in Houston, where he was hailed as one of the city's most innovative and talented chefs since his arrival in 2004.

Born and raised in Roanne, France, he apprenticed at age 14 at a local restaurant in the picturesque French town northwest of Lyon. Upon leaving Lyon, Schmit trained at three of Paris's most respected Michelin 2-Star restaurants-- Le Carre des Feuillants, PavillonElyseeLenotre and Restaurant Jacques Cagna-- in addition to extensive training in Holland and England.

In 1990 he set sail for New York and ignited his stateside career with lightning speed, becoming Sous Chef at the internationally respected Le Bernardin and later as Chef de Cuisine at Park Bistro. In 1994 he became Executive Chef of the fashionable and immensely popular Madison Avenue mainstay, La Goulue. In 2000, Schmit became Executive Chef at Orsay, which took the New York restaurant scene by storm and is consistently rated as one of the best and most popular restaurants in New York City.

2018 Chef of the Year
Kevin Naderi, Roost

Chefs Advisory Board

Beginning in the late 1990's Chef Monica Pope joined in Gracie's efforts to establish a group of concerned chefs who were willing to get involved in a hands on way to teach kids to cook. Twenty-four answered the call and in 2006, we established our Chefs Advisory Board, a working committee with Monica as its Chair. Through the years, more and more chefs have joined our founding members, and today we have over 100 members in Houston and across the country. Monica Pope continues to lead the team as Chair Emeritus.

These busy professionals donate their time month after month, year after year, bringing their unique insight and perspective of food to the children, turning on their taste buds and opening their minds to new foods. It's a Recipe for Success! Would you like to join us? Drop Paris an email and get started today!

The Foundation's Chefs Advisory Board served as inspiration for the White House campaign for Chefs Move to School! Six members of our Chefs Advisory Board joined members of our Board of Directors at the White House in June 2010 for the kick-off of Chefs Move to Schools! where Recipe for Success was featured as a national model and resource. See pictures here. And read about the trip here and here.