JR and Liz Matthews met a decade ago - JR had been a kitchen manager for Chili’s, Inc. for thirteen years and Liz had twenty years experience in the front of the house including a general manager’s position at a posh New York restaurant. Realizing their mutual passion and commitment to the restaurant industry, they were married and honeymooned at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY for two years graduating with honors.
During school, Liz & JR worked in Woodstock, NY at a funky restaurant called New World Home Cooking that specialized in home cooked dishes from around the world and they quickly developed a love for this style of cuisine which is reflected in their cooking to this day.
After graduation, they consulted on the openings of two restaurants in Kerrville and then took chef positions in Austin at the Iron Cactus. After a while, JR was recruited to the University of Texas as a chef and it was an offer he couldn’t refuse. This allowed Liz to stay at home and start a catering business that was an immediate success. It eventually became a backstage/film production catering company feeding everyone from movie and rock stars to roadies and bus drivers.
Then they met Susan and Jerry Warnell at the Silo House and knew where they belonged instantly. As of today they have been very successful and have added new dimensions to the dining experience at the Chicken Farm Art Center. A happy ending and beginning!