Philip SpeerPhilip Speer

For two and half decades, Chef Philip Speer has built an impressive career that includes James Beard Foundation nominations in the Outstanding Pastry Chef category plus recognition from major publications including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, GQ Magazine, and more. But even more important than the accolades for his cooking, a large part of Speer’s story has been his struggle with addiction, from which he has made a profound recovery, gaining an unexpected purpose to be a force for positive change within the industry and to lead by example through sobriety, exercise, and mindful eating. To that note, Philip heads the Austin chapter of Ben’s Friends, a national coalition of sober food and beverage professionals. In 2019, he founded the Comedor Run Club with its mission to “shift the post-shift culture,” replacing shift drinks with physical activity, runs and ways for industry professionals to build meaningful relationships in positive environments.

He currently owns and operates Comedor, a Mexican restaurant in downtown Austin named the top restaurant in Texas by Texas Monthly in 2020. Chef Speer continues to expand his varied endeavors, including Comedor Run Club’s move into a 501(c)(3) organization, his creation of the Mental Mis En Place Journal, and other projects.