Chef Robert Del Grande Discusses His 35 Years in the Houston Culinary Scene

Chef Robert Del Grande began his life as a biochemist in California. But after chasing a girl (his wife Mimi) to Houston, he joined her at her sister’s restaurant called Café Annie. What followed over his next 35 years in the Houston culinary scene included winning the city’s first James Beard Best Chefs – Southwest Award in 1992.

However, change is inevitable, and in 2009 Café Annie was revamped — and re-branded — as RDG + Bar Annie. But that wasn’t meant to be, as Del Grande has recently made the switch back to Café Annie.

With that shift back to his roots, Houston Matters producer Edel Howlin sat down with Del Grande to talk about his 35 year legacy in Houston – beginning at the point where he became interested in food.

(Above: Chef Robert Del Grande, owner of Cafe Annie. Photo: Edel Howlin, Houston Public Media)

MORE: Cafe Annie Coming Back to Life on Post Oak (Houston Chronicle, May 11, 2016)