Feature: Chris Viaud

In the Kitchen with 'Top Chef' Chris Viaud

Q&A with the Restaurateur and 'Top Chef' Competitor

Meet Chris Viaud (Johnson & Wales '09), owner of two restaurants (Greenleaf and Culture), ‘Top Chef’ contestant, father, and proud member of Sigma Pi. Did we mention he’s accomplished all this by 30? While the pandemic set many back, Chef Chris didn’t let it slow him down! Chef Chris sat down with us to share his experience as a brother, how he opened his second restaurant during the pandemic and competed in season 18 of Bravo’s ‘Top Chef.’

FRATERNAL EXPERIENCE

What does it mean to you to be a Sigma Pi?

I joined Sigma Pi in 2009 [at Johnson & Wales], and it was the time of my life. The bond of brotherhood is real, and I am extremely grateful for that opportunity as an undergraduate. That was a time of meaningful growth for personal development while also interacting with people who shared the same mission of comradery and community service. I am so grateful I still have connections with those brothers.

If you could give any advice to the younger version of yourself or to an undergraduate now, what would it be?

Take advantage of all the opportunities at the school, whether it be additional learning services or community development; take charge of your own actions, but make sure you're having a great time while doing it.

LIFE AS A RESTAURATEUR

You've opened two restaurants before the age of 30. How did you accomplish these milestones at such a young age?

To open two restaurants before 30 was an incredible feat for me. It was just a case of being in the right place at the right time and knowing the right people. You just need to put yourself out there and be vulnerable. Involve yourself with the people around you, and it will pay off.

Tell us about your first restaurant, Greenleaf.

Greenleaf is an upscale farm-totable experience that is seasonally inspired. The goal was to be involved in the community and get the best food in the area.

Culture Bread is the sister restaurant to Greenleaf. How did it come to fruition?

Culture is a bakery and sandwich shop that came out of necessity.

We were making our own bread for Greenleaf, and there were no sandwich shops around, so I decided on Culture. We're now able to utilize products that would have gone to waste prior.

How were your businesses affected during COVID-19?

At the beginning of Covid, Greenleaf had a dramatic drop in sales, but once forced closure came, we switched to take out. Greenleaf was not prepared. We hardly had any togo containers to begin with, so we decided to shut down for two days, scratch the entire menu and create something new, specific to take out only. Letting staff go was hard, but by June, we picked back up on a smaller scale. Culture opened in August 2020 and was perfectly suited for the quick "grab and go" experience that came with the pandemic.

TOP CHEF COMPETITION

What was it like coming into the competition? Were you excited, nervous, or a mix of both?

All of the above, every emotion you can feel, I felt. I was very anxious and nervous the entire time. There's no amount of preparedness to get you ready, and there is so much involved physically and mentally. It's a balance of knowing you're gone for an extended period while figuring out how to put your best foot forward and then knowing 'I am worthy of competing on Top Chef.'

Your season was filmed amidst the pandemic. What was that like?

It was completely different from past seasons. Production did an excellent job taking steps to keep us safe; we always wore masks while we weren't filming.

In a trailer, judge Tom Colicchio says, "this could be one of the best collections of chefs we've had in 18 seasons." What does this mean to you to be a part of this?

That gave me the chills to hear him say that. We went through a lot to get here and be able to stand in the Top Chef kitchen and to hear Tom say that was a feat on its own. Thinking of prior seasons' chefs, it was great to hear.

COOKING

What is your favorite dish to cook?

Tough, tough question, but I'd have to say our signature from Greenleaf. It is herb-crusted cod with spring vegetables.

The easiest meal for a Sigma Pi undergrad to cook?

Soup is the easiest thing. You can utilize scraps and things in your fridge from previous meals and just have fun with it. You could go for a simple puree or chicken noodle soup! Season 18 of Bravo's 'Top Chef' premiered on April 1, 2021. Chef Chris had a tough start facing elimination in two of the first three episodes but persevered for nine weeks of competition until he was asked to "pack his knives and go" after his pasta dish fell short in his last competition. Visit Chef Chris at Greenleaf or Culture, both located in Milford, New Hampshire.

Pack your bags for San Antonio!

by Russell Kizior (Northern Arizona '17), contributing writer

The 55th and 56th Biennial Convocation will take place at the Hilton Palacio del Rio, located at 200 S. Alamo Street in San Antonio, TX. Join your brothers to celebrate 125 years as a Fraternity from August 17-20, 2022 for a week full of celebration, networking, and good times! This is an event you won't want to miss!

Registration will open in spring 2022 and Convocation attendance is open to any and all who wish to attend! While each chapter is required to send a delegate to the business sessions, we highly encourage multiple brothers from each chapter to attend and learn more about our Fraternity’s successes through the years. San Antonio is a city rich in history and booming with attractions, and it offers its visitors many opportunities to explore and experience the city! Take a stroll along the 15-mile riverwalk located right outside our hotel and experience a fun and active atmosphere that is filled with restaurants, local shops, and sightseeing. Or you can go experience the rich cultural history of San Antonio and tour the Alamo.

We'll have more information coming soon! Riverwalk

Sightseeing, shopping, food and fun. This is all on the world-renowned 15mile waterway. The River Walk is a San Antonio treasure and the largest urban ecosystem in the nation. Tucked quietly below street level, it provides a serene and pleasant way to navigate the city.

The Alamo

A story bigger than Texas. And, a landmark of San Antonio Texas history. The Alamo features interactive tours and exhibits and hosts reenactments of the Texas Revolution. Stroll through the 4.2-acre complex and Alamo Gardens and experience this landmark in history.

San Antonio Zoo

Open year round, experience and connect with more than 750 animal species on 56 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds that immerse visitors in replicas of the world’s most stunning natural habitats! The San Antonio Zoo offers fun and affordable tours, feedings, and experiences with some of their animals!

Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Don’t miss San Antonio’s largest, most popular theme park on the city’s Northwest side, Six Flags Fiesta Texas. The theme park offers guests thrilling coasters, exhilarating park rides, splash zones and wave pools, live entertainment, fair food and so much more!

Mission Historic Park

Where the city’s rich history meets national parks, stop and visit the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park to experience the stories of people who came into the Spanish missions to live in the 1700s.

Sightseeing Tours

Want to see all that San Antonio has to offer? Hop on and off with San Antonio's double decker tour buses! A fun attraction that tours downtown San Antonio's most popular and historic landmarks. With tours beginning every 20 minutes with stops right next to our hotel, this offers a great way to experience San Antonio!