Few are as passionate as chef Chad Bowden at Culpepper’s in Rockwall. Sure, it is a little bit of a drive for those of us deep in Dallas, but the actually short and easy drive is well worthwhile. The steakhouse itself is an amalgam of add-ons to the building, and is interesting, and with plenty of character, much like the chef himself. Chef Bowden started culinary training in Colorado working at Four star rated country clubs and restaurants. He then relocated to Texas where he became Sous Chef at the The Grape before moving on to be exec sous at 2900 Restaurant where they were nominated for a James Beard Award, one of the nations top culinary honors. He also won the 2006 Rising Star Chefs award. In 2007 he became the Executive Chef of Culpepper Steakhouse.
It is here where we pick up on one of the many wine dinners the chef hosts at his restaurant. Often Bowden will bring in friends who own wineries that he meets during his travels to California. Some top names in the industry have made the trek to Rockwall to spend time with the chef and his guests. Continue reading