XL Cover Story: XL's best new chefs 2005

You might not know their names, but you'll definitely want to know their cuisine

By Dale Rice
June 2, 2005

Will Packwood. David Bull. Tyson Cole.

Christopher Bauer Finn & Porter	Sean Fulford Zin American Bistro
Paul Petersen Little Texas Bistro	Mark Schmidt Cafe 909

Packwood in 2001. Bull in 2003. Cole in 2005.

Yet, they tell only part of the culinary story of the Austin area.

There are longtime chefs, such as Jeff Blank of Hudson's on the Bend, who have headed exceptional restaurants way beyond the five-year limit set by Food & Wine for its annual list.

And there are new chefs who have not yet caught national attention.

But one or more of them might, because Austin is being recognized nationally for its dining scene.

"The quality of food in Austin is definitely exceptional," says Kate Krader, the senior editor at Food & Wine who oversees the annual chef search. "There are great chefs across Texas, but we've consistently found the most exciting chefs in Austin."

Here, then, are four Central Texas chefs who have headed their restaurants for two years or less and who are doing exciting work.

They're our stars, our hot new chefs.