Evan LeRoy
Chef, Pitmaster, and Co-Owner of LeRoy and Lewis (Austin, TX)
Chef and Pitmaster Evan LeRoy incorporates elements of fine dining and responsible sourcing into his seasonally changing menu, shining a new light on traditional cuisine at LeRoy and Lewis. While Austinites line up for “new school bbq” cuts like beef cheeks and smoked porchetta, the food truck’s L&L Burger (smoked and reverse seared half pound wagyu beef patty) was recently called “one of the best in Texas” by Texas Monthly. Known for his unique takes on Texas barbecue, LeRoy innovates in more ways than one, welding pits and butchering whole animals specifically for smoking.
Evan’s culinary experience ranges from fine dining, at Hudson’s On the Bend, to volume barbecue at Hill Country NYC. After returning to his home town of Austin in 2012, he served as the founding Pitmaster and Executive Chef at Freedmen’s, offering classic Texas with innovative touches. He has traveled to Australia, China, and Russia, to train and work with prospective pitmasters and has been known for his openness to teaching and sharing smoking secrets.
Evan was crowned the Prince of Pork at Austin’s Cochon555 in 2017 and was named one of Zagat’s 30 Under 30 rising stars in the Austin culinary scene in 2014. He has also taken home awards at the Quesoff, the Austin Meatball Festival as well as multiple wins at the Austin Hot Sauce Festival. Evan has appeared on The Food Network’s Burgers, Brew & Que, FYI’s Food Porn, and in 2014, took home the title of “Austin Grill Master” on the Travel Channel’s American Grilled Texas episode. Evan has held guest chef appearances at Ludlow House NYC, Paws Up (Montana), Windy City Smokeout (Chicago), Red Dirt Festival (Tyler, TX), Texas Monthly BBQ Festival, Yeti Flagship (Austin), SXSW, and General Electric.
