Startle

A Virginia native, chef Walter Bundy grew up near the Piankatank River of the Chesapeake Bay. Bundy took his rich culinary heritage with him when he left home for Hampden-Sydney College, and he was fortunate to live on a country farm where hunting was plentiful. After graduation, Bundy moved to Santa Fe, N.M and then enrolled in the New England Culinary Institute. A desire to learn about wine subsequently brought him to the Napa Valley, where he worked with renowned chef Thomas Keller at the legendary French Laundry.

Up until being named executive chef at Lemaire in 2011, Bundy accumulated a slew of awards and enriching experiences, from an appearance on Food Network’s Food Nation with Bobby Flay to preparing dinner at the James Beard House in New York. It’s safe to say that Bundy is both talented and passionate, and it shines through in his food during every meal at Lemaire.

• Walter Bundy
• Lemaire
• Executive Chef of Lemaire

Chef Walter Bundy is a Richmond native who grew up gardening with his family, hunting with his father, and summering on the Piankatank River in the Chesapeake Bay pulling crabs by hand. He took his experiences with him to college at Hampden Sydney, where he entertained friends and family with his culinary skills preparing locally inspired cuisine.

After graduation, he was exposed to a whole new palette of flavors when a move to Santa Fe, New Mexico brought him to work at Mark Miller’s Coyote Café. Inspired by the variety of unfamiliar ingredients and flavor profiles, Bundy enrolled in the New England Culinary Institute. A desire to learn about wine subsequently brought him to the Napa Valley, where he worked with renowned chef Thomas Keller at the legendary French Laundry.

Chef Bundy has cooked at the James Beard House in New York, presented dinners for renowned chefs, and appeared on Food Network’s “Food Nation“ with Bobby Flay. Named executive chef at Lemaire in May 2001, Bundy has remained committed to providing upscale Southern cuisine that showcases the bounty of Virginia.