ROBERT RHOADES                                           

Hudson's on the Bend
Eddie V's
Austin, Texas

Chef Robert Rhoades always knew he was destined for a job involving knives; he just assumed, at first, that it would be behind an operating table.

Rhoades began his career as a pre-med student at the University of Texas, working at restaurants in various positions, from busboy to bartender. Inspired after a summer working in the kitchen at Craig & Sally's in St. Thomas, U.S.V.I., Rhoades decided to pursue his gourmet ambitions professionally. He began working in Austin as a line cook at Mars Restaurant and Bar and was eventually promoted to sous chef. With encouragement from his co-workers, Rhoades decided to attend the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, the nation's premier culinary academy. In 1999 he graduated first in his class.

After working at restaurants in San Francisco and the Napa Valley, Rhoades returned to Texas to be sous chef for Jeffrey's Restaurant in Austin, working alongside nationally remowned chef David Garrido.

The 2000 presidential election brought more Texans to Washington than just the Bush family. In 2001 Rhoades moved to the nation's capital to open Jeffrey's at the Watergate Hotel as chef de cuisine. As such, Rhoades was the chef in charge of all restaurant operations, room service, and the Potomac Lounge. He also prepared dishes for numerous politicians and celebrities including George Bush, Sophia Loren, Mel Gibson, and Drew Barrymore.

Anxious to get back to his roots after a few years on the East Coast, Rhoades returned to Texas in 2003 and accepted the executive chef position at Hudson's on the Bend with chef owner Jeffrey Blank.

In 2005 Rhoades again traveled to Washington D.C. to interview for a position in the nation's most famous kitchen: the White House. That summer he was invited to return as assistant chef but after careful consideration, he decided to continue his career in the Texas Hill Country and pursue his dream of opening his own restaurant. He took his first steps toward that dream in March 2009, partnering with Chef Blank to open Austin's first gourmet food trailer, The Mighty Cone, on South Congress Avenue in downtown Austin.

Rhoades lives in Austin with his wife Vannessa, their two sons, three dogs and one cat.

For more information about the Wine & Dine Gourmet Dinner, click here.

Other Events:
Uncorked "American Road Trip"

Fork & Cork Tasting Finale