Not only is Chris Williams revered for his work as chef-owner of Lucille’s, a tribute to his great grandmother and pioneer Lucille B. Smith that specializes in well-refined Southern food with international infusions, but he also has become one of the American F+B industry’s most respected community builders. Classically trained in French, Mediterranean, West Indian, and East African cuisine, Williams opened Lucille’s in 2012. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, while providing 1 million meals to Houstonians, Williams launched his nonprofit Lucille’s 1913 to combat food insecurity and waste, create employment and training opportunities in traditionally under-resourced communities, and empowering communities to discover a self-sustainable livelihood through cultural and culinary arts. Williams was named part of Bon Appetit’s inaugural Heads of the Table awards list and is a 2022 United Nations Global Citizens awardee, among other plaudits. IG @chef_chriswilliams