Ranch Chefs - Louis Sheppard -Private Chef

Austin, TX

Louis Sheppard was born and raised in Texas. He is a Sixth-generation Texan from the Matthews family of Shackelford and Throckmorton counties. He spent his youth hearing the tales of his ancestors and chasing cows at the family ranch in west Texas near the headwaters of the Colorado River. It was there that his passion for hunting and fishing was cultivated. As well as his fondness for biscuits from a Dutch oven. While attending High School in Ft. Worth, he took an after-school job washing dishes at a local French restaurant of note. After working his way up the ranks and being a part of several restaurant openings, he applied to attend the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. He was accepted and moved to the Hudson Valley where he fell in love with delectable bounty and majestically changing seasons. After an apprenticeship at Nobu, New York City he graduated in 2005 and moved to Stockholm, Sweden to explore the ancient mysteries of Nordic cooking. Upon His return to Texas, he helped to open several restaurants and stores in Fort Worth and Austin. He began his foray into the private chef realm after being repeatedly invited to several ranches of friends and family to cook for special occasions and hunting trips. With a focus on hospitality, “snout to tail” cooking, and the art of charcuterie and preservation, he is committed to cooking within the season and from the land. Today, Louis Sheppard serves private clients in Texas and beyond. During the fall and winter, he can be found on the grand ranches south and west Texas. In the Spring and Summer, he spends time in upstate New York and New England, exploring the mountains and waterways in search of new ingredients and inspirations. He believes that the world is a classroom and that we should never cease the pursuit of travel and exploration. As at home on a horse as in the kitchen, Chef Louis can still be found on the family ranch, chasing cows and recounting the tales of his ancestors. He is a supporter of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation and a proud member of The Stewards of the Wild and Bat Conservation International.