Who we are

From Software to Sofrito…

Some people find their calling early. Others find it after a pandemic and a deep dive into the world of wine.

Chef Chris didn’t take the traditional culinary path. He took the scenic route. After a career managing operations in the software world, he traded spreadsheets for sauté pans—and never looked back. When the world hit pause in 2020, he hit play on his real passion.

Inspired by the documentary Somm, Chris dove headfirst into the rigorous world of wine certification, earning his Level 3 Sommelier credentials through WSET. That deep study of food and wine unlocked something bigger: a fire to create remarkable dishes that didn’t just feed people—but moved them.

So at 48, he enrolled in culinary school, graduated at the top of his class, and was named Culinary Student of the Year by the Texas Chef’s Association. Since then, he’s made a name for himself blending interactive dining with flavor-forward cooking—from pop-ups at wine bars to chef-led dinners at private homes.

Texas Paella Co. is the result of that journey: a chef-owned company built on passion, precision, and the belief that great food should always come with a little flair and a lot of flavor.