Date
Nov 17, 2026
Event Type
Breaking Bread
Ticket Price
Individual tickets start at $35
Three show Breaking Bread packages start at $89.25
On Sale
On sale now
Presented by the Hobby Center
Sponsored by Lexus
Breaking Bread is presented by the Hobby Center in partnership with James Beard Award-winning chef and TV host Chris Shepherd. He trades his chef’s jacket for a mic, hosting influential creatives and thinkers who inspire him in unscripted chats about the experiences that shaped them.
Enjoy unforgettable stories, small club vibes, and a killer menu curated by Chris especially for the Founders Club.
When Chris Shepherd sits down with Gail Simmons, it won’t be a formal interview—it will be two longtime friends sharing stories. Best known as a judge and executive producer of Bravo’s Top Chef, Simmons joins Chris for an evening of conversation about the people, moments, and lessons that have shaped their careers. Along the way, they’ll explore mentorship, leadership, and the evolving culture of food, with the warmth, humor, and honesty that come from years of friendship.
Signed copies of Gail’s third book, Guesting, set to publish November 3, 2026 by Flatiron Books, will be available with advance ticket purchase and at the event.
Performance Schedule
- Audio Description
- Open Captions
- ASL
Swipe to see more details
- Tue Nov 17, 2026 at 7:30 pm
Gail Simmons is a trained culinary expert, food writer, and dynamic television personality. Since the inception of Bravo’s Emmy-winning series Top Chef in 2006, she has lent her expertise as a permanent judge, and now as an executive producer. Now in its 23rd season, Top Chef is rated the #1 food show on cable television.
Gail was formerly co-host of the syndicated talk show The Good Dish and host of Iron Chef Canada. From 2004 to 2019, she served as special projects director at Food & Wine. In 2012, Gail published her first book, a memoir titled Talking With My Mouth Full: My Life as a Professional Eater. Her first cookbook, Bringing It Home: Favorite Recipes from a Life of Adventurous Eating, was released in 2017 and nominated for an IACP award for best general cookbook.
Gail frequently appears on daytime television shows such as Today on NBC, The Drew Barrymore Show and The Kelly Clarkson Show, and was named the #1 Reality TV Judge in America by The New York Post. She is co-founder of Bumble Pie Productions and sits on the board of several nonprofit organizations, including City Harvest and Hot Bread Kitchen in NYC. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband, Jeremy, and their two children, Dahlia and Kole.
ABOUT THE BREAKING BREAD SERIES
Back when Chris Shepherd was running restaurants, he would place uncut loaves of bread on the table for guests to tear apart together, a way to get people talking. He’s always believed the table is one of the last places where community happens naturally. That idea is the heartbeat of this series.
Presenting Sponsor
Quick Links
Stay Connected
Sign up for our email list to stay up-to-date on all things Hobby Center. Or contact us with any questions and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Box Office Information
Box Office: (713) 315-2525
Email: [email protected]
Hours: *Subject to change depending on show schedule
Monday-Friday, 10:00am-6:00pm
Saturday-Sunday, 11:00am-4:00pm
Upcoming Shows
Breaking Bread: A Conversation hosted by Chris Shepherd with Julie Kent
Jan 30, 2027
Breaking Bread: A Conversation hosted by Chris Shepherd with Toni Tipton Martin
Feb 20, 2027