Chad Houser
Chad Houser is the founder and CEO of Café Momentum, a nonprofit restaurant and culinary training program that transforms the lives of justice-involved youth. After 17 years as a chef and co-owner of Parigi Restaurant in Dallas, Houser decided it was time to shift his focus. It was in 2012 after a life-changing experience teaching young men in juvenile detention how to make ice cream that Houser made the decision to launch Café Momentum.
That moment revealed the deep flaws in the juvenile justice system and inspired Houser to create a space where young people could learn, grow, and thrive. Since opening its doors in 2015, Café Momentum has offered 12-month paid internships that combine culinary training with wraparound support services, including education, mental health counseling, and financial literacy. This gives the young adults who work at the restaurant the opportunity to build skills, confidence, and a future.
Houser's innovative model has gained national attention and acclaim. In 2020, he co-founded the Momentum Advisory Collective to scale the Café Momentum model across the country, with programs in cities like Nashville and Pittsburgh. His work has been featured in CNN Heroes, The Rachael Ray Show, Good Morning America, and Starbucks' Upstanders series.
A passionate advocate for criminal justice reform and youth empowerment, Houser has received numerous accolades, including D Magazine's "Best Chef" nominations, Dallas Business Journal's "40 Under 40," and recognition as one of the "Top 50 Under 40" by the Social Enterprise Alliance. He's also a member of the El Centro College Food and Hospitality Institute Hall of Fame, where he received his culinary training.
Houser often describes Café Momentum with a touch of humor: "We take kids out of jail and teach them to play with knives and fire." But behind his levity is a deep commitment to systemic change and a belief in the potential of every young person. His work continues to inspire communities to rethink justice, opportunity, and the power of second chances.