Chef Michelle Wallace – BBQ Trailblazer & Top Chef Fan Favorite | Elevating Soul Food with Innovation |Southern BBQ Reimagined | Fan Favorite from Top Chef Season 21 |James Beard Honoree & Sandwich Queen | Redefining Modern Southern Cuisine |From St. Louis to Top Chef Fame | A Southern Story of Fire & Flavor

The Flame Behind Houston’s Boldest BBQ Chef

In a city known for its smoky pits, bold flavors, and deep culinary traditions, Chef Michelle Wallace has blazed a trail unlike any other. Hailing from St. Louis and now firmly rooted in Houston’s rich food scene, Michelle has emerged as one of the most powerful voices in contemporary Southern cuisine—particularly in the world of barbecue, where women, especially women of color, have long been underrepresented.

What makes her story exceptional is not just her rise to prominence but the way she’s done it—with authenticity, fearlessness, and an unwavering commitment to her cultural roots. From her early memories of sneaking barbecue bites with her father to commanding the kitchen as Executive Chef at Gatlin’s BBQ, Michelle’s culinary path has been defined by passion and perseverance. During her six years at Gatlin’s, she reimagined the restaurant’s menu with bold offerings like house-smoked pastrami, bologna, and elevated Southern sides, earning accolades like Houston’s “Best Fried Chicken” by Eater in 2022. Under her leadership, Gatlin’s became more than a barbecue joint—it was a culinary destination.

Not content to rest on her laurels, Michelle went on to launch B’tween Sandwich Co., a pop-up concept that fused Southern comfort food with global street-food influences. Her sandwiches—stacked with slow-cooked meats, inventive slaws, and deeply personal flavor combinations—quickly gained cult status in Houston’s culinary circles.

Her groundbreaking work eventually earned national recognition. She became a member of the James Beard Foundation’s TasteTwenty cohort, a prestigious program that celebrates chefs who are shaping the future of American cuisine. In 2024, Michelle took her talents to television, competing on Bravo’s Top Chef Season 21. Her consistent performance and magnetic personality earned her a place in the Top 6 and the Fan Favorite title, solidifying her status as a household name.

Today, Michelle Wallace stands as a beacon for a new generation of chefs—particularly young Black women—who see her as proof that success in fine dining and barbecue doesn’t have to come at the cost of identity. Her food is soulful, her story is powerful, and her legacy is still being written—one smoked brisket, one sandwich, and one inspired dish at a time.

Background & Education: From Healthcare Dreams to Culinary Destiny

Michelle Wallace was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, a city where barbecue isn’t just food—it’s culture, identity, and pride. Her earliest memories were infused with the aroma of smoked meat and the sound of soulful tunes playing in the background. Childhood weekends often involved sneaking bites of barbecue with her father, developing a love for rich flavors and familial warmth around food.

Later, Michelle relocated to Houston, Texas, where she would plant her roots and eventually build her culinary empire. She initially enrolled at Texas Southern University, studying Healthcare Administration with aspirations of entering the medical field. But food had always held a deeper meaning for Michelle. Cooking was both therapy and art, and she soon found herself feeding friends and Houston Texans football players—thanks to her cousin’s connections—out of pure passion.

This unexpected recognition pushed her to take a leap of faith. She pivoted careers, deciding to pursue her culinary calling professionally. Michelle enrolled at the Art Institute of Houston, where she honed her technical skills and broadened her culinary vocabulary. As part of her education, she took part in a three-week study abroad program in China, training across Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai. There, she immersed herself in the intricacies of Chinese cooking—noodles, dumplings, wok techniques—an experience that would later influence her fusion dishes.

Early Career & BBQ Roots: Grit, Smoke, and Soul

Michelle’s early professional years were spent in fine-dining kitchens like Pêche, a seafood-centric Houston gem, where she developed an appreciation for precision, plating, and the balance of elegance and boldness. Her foundational experience in upscale environments helped refine her palate and discipline.

She later joined a high-end catering outfit, where she learned to execute elevated meals for demanding clients at scale—developing the kind of culinary grit that only high-pressure events can instill. But it was in barbecue, not white-tablecloth fine dining, where Michelle would eventually find her purpose.

In 2016, she joined Gatlin’s BBQ, one of Houston’s most respected barbecue institutions, founded by James Beard-nominated pitmaster Greg Gatlin. What began as a kitchen position evolved into something more powerful—within six years, Michelle rose to Executive Chef, becoming a rare female leader in a male-dominated barbecue world. At Gatlin’s, she fused her fine-dining training with soulful BBQ, pioneering bold creations like house-smoked pastrami, bologna sandwiches, and rich, nostalgic Southern sides.

Her work not only elevated the menu but helped Gatlin’s BBQ win Houston’s Best Fried Chicken in the 2022 Eater Awards, solidifying her as one of the city’s most exciting culinary innovators.

Accolades & National Recognition

Michelle’s breakout years were marked by growing recognition across the national culinary landscape:

  • In 2021, she was nominated for CultureMap’s Rising Star Chef, a nod to her leadership at Gatlin’s and her fresh approach to Southern comfort food.
  • In 2022, Michelle competed in Food Network’s “BBQ Brawl” Season 3, showcasing her mastery of smoke and seasoning to a national audience. Her energy, charisma, and flavor-forward approach earned praise from judges and viewers alike.
  • She was later selected by the James Beard Foundation as part of its Taste America “TasteTwenty” cohort, a prestigious honor reserved for chefs who reflect America’s rich culinary diversity. The honor was not just about food—it was a recognition of her voice, community leadership, and influence in shaping future food systems.

Michelle’s rise was also marked by a growing social media presence. Her fans loved her honesty, creativity, and cultural pride, whether she was showcasing a smoky brisket or a nostalgic Southern dessert.

🥪 Founding B’tween Sandwich Co.: Elevating the Sandwich into Art

In early 2023, after her successful tenure at Gatlin’s, Michelle took the leap into entrepreneurship, launching her passion project: B’tween Sandwich Co., a pop-up concept dedicated to bold, comfort-driven sandwiches.

Rooted in Michelle’s Southern culinary heritage but inspired by her global studies, B’tween redefined what a sandwich could be. Whether it was a pastrami Reuben with spicy slaw, a Korean BBQ pork bun, or a shrimp étouffée po’ boy, her sandwiches told stories of culture, creativity, and comfort.

B’tween quickly gained a loyal following in Houston. Pop-ups sold out. Local food media raved. And Michelle’s sandwiches were celebrated not just as meals, but as expressions of identity and culinary activism—highlighting African-American foodways in fresh, dynamic forms.

Her growing brand also represented something larger: the empowerment of Black women in food entrepreneurship, a mission she championed openly.

Top Chef Season 21: National Spotlight & Fan Favorite

Michelle Wallace’s journey reached new heights when she competed in Top Chef Season 21: Wisconsin, premiering in March 2024. The season was a celebration of regional American cuisine, with a spotlight on Midwest traditions.

Michelle entered as a fierce competitor, confident but grounded. Her blend of Southern heat, Chinese finesse, and culinary storytelling gave her a clear edge. Early in the competition, she wowed the judges with a unique twist on Polish flavors—a Polish sausage étouffée with creamy grits, blending the host city’s culinary heritage with her Louisiana roots.

Her consistency, emotional depth, and flavor-forward cooking made her a standout in the competition. Though she didn’t win the title, she made it into the Top 6—and more importantly, she won the hearts of fans across the country, earning the coveted Fan Favorite Award.

Her time on Top Chef cemented her place in the national conversation and opened new doors for media features, podcast invitations, and food festivals. It was clear: Michelle Wallace wasn’t just a chef—she was a cultural voice.

Culinary Style & Food Philosophy: Where Soul Meets Global

Michelle Wallace describes her cooking as “soul food with a passport.” It’s deeply rooted in Southern comfort—collard greens, mac & cheese, smoked brisket—but enriched by global exposure and fine-dining structure.

From her grandmother, Michelle learned to cook by intuition, not measurements. Her grandmother never used scales—just taste, instinct, and love. This upbringing instilled in Michelle a spiritual connection to food.

From her formal education and global travels, she layered that soul with technique, discipline, and innovation. Chinese dumplings, Korean marinades, Creole roux—all became tools in her toolkit.

Her dishes are known for:

  • Depth of flavor – layers of smoke, spice, and soul.
  • Cultural storytelling – blending tradition with modernity.
  • Comfort with a twist – classic dishes, reimagined.

She’s a champion of African-American culinary identity, reclaiming and remixing soul food to show its sophistication, versatility, and relevance. For Michelle, food is not just sustenance—it’s storytelling, activism, and cultural memory.

Voice, Vision, and Advocacy

Michelle Wallace is more than a chef. She is a mentor, public speaker, and culinary educator. She’s vocal about:

  • Empowering Black women in culinary spaces
  • Mental health in the restaurant industry
  • Sustainable and equitable food systems
  • Creating safer, more inclusive kitchen environments

Her work with the James Beard Foundation’s programs allows her to advocate for marginalized voices in hospitality. She uses her platform to encourage aspiring chefs, particularly women of color, to believe in their worth and take up space.

Fun Facts & Personal Touches

  • Favorite childhood snack: Sneaking barbecue bites with her dad back in St. Louis.
  • Music in the kitchen: Loves Motown, CeeLo Green, and Houston rapper Tobe Nwigwe.
  • Secret weapon: Her signature seasoning blends that balance smoke, umami, and heat.
  • Dream project: Opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant that blends a neighborhood diner with a Southern tasting-menu experience.

Legacy in Progress: Michelle Wallace’s Culinary Footprint

Michelle Wallace stands at the intersection of tradition and transformation. Her story—from a St. Louis childhood to Top Chef fame—isn’t just about career milestones. It’s about:

  • Honoring the past (grandmother’s kitchen, Southern roots),
  • Owning the present (entrepreneurship, media, mentorship),
  • Shaping the future (representation, innovation, equity in food).

With her unapologetic spirit, fierce culinary talent, and growing national platform, Michelle is crafting a legacy that transcends the kitchen. She is the new face of barbecue. The evolution of soul food. A mentor, a creator, a force.

External Links (For Publication Reference on TopChefsBiography.org)

Her Journey: From St. Louis Smoke to National Spotlight

Michelle Wallace’s culinary journey began not in a restaurant, but in the heart of her family kitchen in St. Louis, Missouri—a city steeped in barbecue culture. Growing up, she shared quiet, flavorful moments with her father, sneaking bites of smoky meats and absorbing the soul of Southern food without realizing it. These early memories became the foundation for a lifelong relationship with flavor, identity, and fire.

After moving to Houston, Texas, Michelle initially pursued a degree in Healthcare Administration at Texas Southern University. But destiny had other plans. Her reputation as a gifted home cook spread fast—she soon found herself catering meals for friends and even Houston Texans football players, encouraged by a cousin. It was the turning point that pushed her toward culinary school and into professional kitchens.

At the Art Institute of Houston, she learned the technical side of cooking and deepened her love for global flavors. A study-abroad experience in China—visiting Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai—exposed her to wok techniques, dumpling making, and new philosophies of food.

Michelle’s early kitchen stints included fine dining at Pêche and high-end catering, but her true calling emerged when she joined Gatlin’s BBQ. Over six years, she rose to Executive Chef, reimagining traditional barbecue with house-cured meats and creative Southern dishes. She later launched her own brand, B’tween Sandwich Co., a bold pop-up focusing on inventive, soulful sandwiches.

In 2024, she took the national stage on Top Chef Season 21, where her flavor-forward cooking earned her the Fan Favorite title. Alongside accolades from the James Beard Foundation, Michelle Wallace’s journey—from passion-driven student to pitmaster entrepreneur—is a story of grit, grace, and groundbreaking culinary leadership.

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