For many of us Houston-lifers, that have always appreciated our restaurant scene even before it was the chic thing to do, recall the early influence of Robert Del Grande on Houston dining. Everyone has memories and many have shared them since the news of Robert’s decision to step back some with his wife Mimi, daughter Tessa and newest little family jewel, baby Luke. Can’t fault him for that and actually applaud him and wish he and his family the best! For me I must say that I have a very special memory, among many, of Robert and Cafe Annie that stem from the industry where I have spent my life’s work, fashion. As a Visual Director and then Fashion Director of a large department store, one of our premier brands was the Polo Ralph Lauren group. Because of Robert’s outstanding reputation as a Southwest Dining Visionary, no trip to our town was complete for the RL people without a visit to Cafe Annie, after all that was his image and passion as well. Those visitors would call from NYC before every trip to ensure that we had dinner reservations at Cafe Annie!
So now about Robert Del Grande, the Executive Chef and Partner of The Annie. He is widely recognized as one of the most celebrated chefs in America as well as having pioneered and developed Houston’s culinary scene. He is a near 40-year industry veteran and has been recognized time and time again with prestigious industry awards and honors from top organizations including:
- James Beard Foundation “Best Chef: Southwest”
- Food Arts “Silver Spoon Award”
- Houston Culinary Awards “Chef of the Year”
- Food & Wine “Honor Roll of American Chefs”
- One of the Best Things to Eat in Houston “ChefsFeed Winner”
- “Distinguished Alumni Award” from University of California at Riverside
- Inducted into the “Who’s Who in American Cooking”
Originally having received his BS in Chemistry and Biology from the University of San Francisco in 1976 and then his PhD in Biochemistry from the University of California at Riverside in 1980, Robert pivoted career paths while courting his now wife, Mimi. Robert ventured to Houston with Mimi to visit her sister and brother-in-law, who had opened Café Annie two years earlier. Needing a chef for their restaurant, Robert began experimenting in the kitchen and soon became Executive Chef and partner.
In May 2009, Café Annie closed and reopened as “Restaurant RDG” (the initials of the chef) a few blocks away. Robert and his brother-in-law, Lonnie Schiller, are partners in the Schiller-Del Grande Restaurant Group, which operates The Grove and The Lake House – two restaurants located at our signature urban park in downtown Houston, Discovery Green. In addition, they have been founders and partners in other ventures, such as Café Express and Taco Milagro.
In April 2019, Berg Hospitality Group announced its plans to close and revamp the legendary restaurant, Cafe Annie, through a new partnership between Berg and Del Grande. Together, they successfully reimagined the restaurant as The Annie Café & Bar, opening in September 2019 to rave reviews from Houstonians. Then the duo created Turner’s, Berg’s dream restaurant which opened underneath The Annie in March 2020. “For both concepts, Chef Robert helped me put together a strong culinary and management team, allowing us to solidify both as go-to spots with a lively dining and social scene, despite the setbacks of COVID-19,” says Berg.
“It has truly been an honor to work with Robert Del Grande over the past three years. He is one of the most knowledgeable chefs I know, and I have learned more from him in the past three years than I could have ever imagined,” says Benjamin Berg, CEO and Founder of Berg Hospitality Group. “I will always consider him a friend and mentor, and we are grateful that he will still serve as Chef Emeritus and continue to be a sounding board for new menus, off-site events and more.”
“I have really enjoyed working with the Berg Hospitality Group team to combine our strengths and create two concepts with which I am proud to end my career,” says Del Grande. “It’s been a wild ride since I arrived in Houston in 1981. I am so thankful for everyone I met along the way and to those who supported me throughout our various ventures. At 67 years old, I am excited for this next chapter of my life and to spend more time with my family, especially now that I am a grandfather. While I am taking a step down from my day-to-day operations, I will still be around in my new role and continue to mentor my staff and ensure the success of The Annie Café & Bar and Turner’s.
A true Renaissance man, Robert also finds time to play in his band “The Barbwires” with Dallas Great Chef Dean Fearing. In 2013, Robert was also named “One of the Coolest People in Food” by The Daily Meal.
It should be noted that the same week as Robert’s announcement, we proceeded with a family celebration dinner at The Annie, as planned, and will continue to spend time there enjoying many of the iconic dishes that were Robert’s signature, i.e. the famously delish tostada appetizers and continue to wish him the best, knowing his involvement will still be there.
Robert Del Grande photo courtesy of Jenn Duncan
