Michelle Wallace

Michelle Wallace

Executive Chef & AGM of Gatlin’s BBQ

Hailing from St. Louis, Mo. , Gatlin’s BBQ executive chef Michelle Wallace moved to Houston to studied Healthcare Administration at Texas Southern University. However, her love for food and technique evolved while in her undergrad studies. She became known amongst her college friends and softball teammates for her creative dishes on a budget. With such a large diversity of culture, the city of Houston has been one of the biggest influences to her approach to food and culture.

After graduating from college, Chef Wallace continued to be driven by her thirst for knowledge on cooking techniques and flavors. She decided to further her studies at The Art Institute of Houston to get formal culinary training to coincide with her natural abilities to create interesting flavors. While in culinary school, Chef Wallace did a 3-week study abroad in China. She was able to study in three different cities, Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai. Time with the locals and studies in culinary schools there help develop and evolve her palate and techniques. Asian cuisine and techniques has always had a heavy influence with Chef Wallace and her approach to food.

Since graduating culinary school, Michelle has had an amazing journey through the restaurant industry. Her time with working at Houston’s Restaurant has allow her to develop her front of house skills as a server, bartender and manager. She has been able to work under Houston famed chef Mark Holley at Pesce. She’s also been able to cook personally for many professional athletes of the city.
Chef Michelle has teamed up with veteran Houston Pitmaster Greg Gatlin of Gatlin’s BBQ. She has been able to bring some of her creativity and knowledge to the Gatlin’s BBQ brand. She has helped create a specialty sandwiches section on the menu which includes her house-smoked pastrami and smoked bologna that has blown patrons over. The partnership with Wallace and Gatlin has proven to be a success and is ever evolving and growing.

Michelle received a nomination in the Culture Map Houston Tastemakers Awards in the Rising Star Chef category in 2021. She has also appeared in the Netflix documentary High on the Hog which aired in March 2021.