Today on Flavors Unknown, I sit down with Michelle Wallace — a trailblazing chef and pitmaster who has redefined what it means to cook with fire and soul in the world of Texas barbecue. From her roots in St. Louis to her rise in Houston’s culinary scene, Michelle has crafted a fearless voice in a male-dominated space, fusing traditional barbecue with bold multicultural influences drawn from African, Asian, and Indian cuisines.
We talk about her journey to the pit, her innovative flavor philosophy, her time on Top Chef, and the legacy she’s building—one smoky, soulful bite at a time.
What you’ll learn from Chef Michelle Wallace
- 2:30 – The moment Michelle Wallace’s father sparked her love for barbecue
- 3:08 – Why working at Gatlin’s BBQ felt like a “full-circle” milestone
- 3:20 – Mentors who shaped Michelle Wallace culinary path, including Leah Chase and Rodney Scott
- 4:34 – How Houston’s cultural mosaic influences her approach to barbecue
- 6:11 – Her belief that women bring unique patience and detail to the pit
- 6:55 – The pioneering female pitmasters whose stories inspire her
- 8:00 – The one signature dish that defines her cooking style
- 9:28 – Her preferred wood for smoking—and why it matters
- 11:16 – How Michelle Wallace reverse-engineers flavor starting from the final plate
- 11:42 – A funny moment of self-doubt when she got hired
- 12:57 – How her athletic mindset fuels her “go big or go home” kitchen mentality
- 13:12 – The challenges barbecue kitchens face around toxic culture
- 14:30 – Real talk: Her advice for young women entering the culinary world
- 15:47 – Examples of her delicious cultural fusion dishes
- 17:55 – Her flexible “here’s what I’ve got for today” menu approach
- 19:16 – Why local farmers’ markets are her creative playground
- 20:04 – The value of building real relationships with growers
- 20:32 – How she balances crowd-pleasers with seasonal availability
- 23:22 – The mental strain of competing on Top Chef without outside contact
- 24:33 – Why the fine dining challenge pushed her hardest
- 26:20 – Michelle Wallace’s favorite food stops on a Houston culinary tour
- 28:00 – Her ultimate barbecue plate, revealed
- 28:34 – What makes her mac and cheese a showstopper
- 29:01 – A barbecue indulgence you need to try
- 29:12 – How she finds the perfect balance in her sauces
Popular Podcasts
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.