Tyson Cole

Uchi - Houston

Tyson Cole grew up in Florida with typical suburban fare but after heading to Texas for school and working at a Japanese restaurant, he educated himself on every aspect of the cuisine. In May of 2003, Uchi opened with Cole as Executive Chef and co-owner. Cole’s seamless blending of global ingredients with traditional Japanese flavors to create his celebrated “perfect bite” gained him local, regional and national attention and Uchi soon became one of the top fine dining destinations in Austin. The accolades continued when he was awarded a coveted spot on Food & Wine Magazine’s “Best Chefs” of 2005 list. In May 2011, Cole received a James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: Southwest.  Cole celebrated a James Beard Foundation Semi-Finalist nod for Outstanding Chef in 2016.

Cole opened his second restaurant in Austin, Uchiko, in July 2010 and celebrated the release of Uchi the Cookbook in March 2011.  In 2012, he opened Uchi Houston, Uchi Dallas in 2015, and a new concept, Uchiba, in Dallas in January 2018.  In 2015 what was formerly known as Uchi Restaurant Group changed its name to Hai Hospitality, a sign of the evolution of the brand and the path ahead. In 2018, Chef Cole opened a new concept, LORO Asian Smokehouse & Bar, in Austin with barbecue legend Aaron Franklin; as well as Uchi in Denver.  Hai Hospitality will also open Uchi Miami and LORO Dallas in Summer 2020, and Uchiko and LORO in Houston in 2021.