Two-time James Beard Award nominee and Top Chef alum, known for his New Hampshire restaurant concepts Greenleaf, Ansanm, and Pavilion, as well as his time as Director of Culinary Arts at The Lake Estate.

After graduating from Johnson & Wales University, Viaud moved to Boston, where he spent three formative years at Deuxave, working his way through the ranks and developing the foundation of his culinary philosophy. Since then, he has been an integral part of multiple restaurant openings throughout Greater Boston and New Hampshire, building a career rooted in thoughtful cooking, strong hospitality, and a deep connection to the region.

Today, Viaud is the chef and founder of Gather by Chris Viaud, a chef-driven, farm-focused catering and private dining company centered around creating memorable culinary experiences. Through Gather, he brings his restaurant experience into intimate dinners, private celebrations, and larger events, creating menus that are driven by seasonality, locally sourced ingredients, and a balance of flavors, textures, and techniques.

Viaud’s cooking is deeply rooted in the belief that food should be both intentional and experiential. He focuses on seasonal, locally grown products and uses them as the foundation for menus that are thoughtful, balanced, and designed to create a unique dining experience with every gathering.

In recent years, Viaud has also devoted more of his time and energy to exploring his Haitian heritage, finding new ways to connect with and educate communities through the food, flavors, and culture of Haiti. His continued exploration of that heritage has become an important part of his evolution as a chef and the story he hopes to share through his cooking.