The Sunshine Chef owners Hannah and David Houck recently added curbside options at their commercial kitchen in the former Producer’s Market for customers to pick up artisan, Texas-inspired food.

Using a business model based on faith, health and servanthood, the Houcks plan to continue growing The Sunshine Chef in the community.

Meet the chef

With 14 years of culinary experience under her belt, the Houcks created The Sunshine Chef in 2018 in Austin, where they offered private chef and catering services. Hannah Houck said she and her husband moved to Smithville in March 2023—where Hannah Houck spent much of her childhood.

“We decided to move from Austin with dreams of homesteading and family life,” Hannah Houck said. “I grew up coming to my great-granddaddy's land in Smithville on weekends and holidays, where our family spent time outside, hosting friends and family, cooking big holiday meals, spending time around a campfire, picking wild blackberries and making homemade jam. I knew someday I would raise my family there.”


The past

After moving to Smithville, the Houcks relaunched The Sunshine Chef at Smithville's Sunday Market in the summer of 2023.

“We were so embraced by the community that we were able to grow and expand into a commercial kitchen space within three months,” Hannah Houck said.

Shortly after, The Sunshine Chef began offering food at Smithville Cofee House & General Store at 108 NE Second St., Smithville.


The present

On Jan. 17, the Houcks added curbside pickup options out of The Sunshine Chef’s commercial kitchen Wednesdays-Fridays from 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

With curbside, customers have the option to place an order over the phone or through Facebook, where the menu and weekly specials are regularly posted.

The future


Hannah Houck said she plans to continue using her Southern hospitality at The Sunshine Chef to create delicious food promptly to become a more familiar staple in the community before opening a brick-and-mortar spot.

What’s on the menu?

The Sunshine Chef offers a range of artisan lunches, baked goods, prepared family meals and catering services.

Regular rotation options include deli sandwiches made on homemade bread, wraps, salads, soups, cinnamon rolls, muffins and cookies.


Kolaches are also available made with brisket from Smoked Love or V&V sausage from Flatonia.

Quote of note

“We plan to eventually have multiple locations in the future so we can serve as many people as God brings to us,” Hannah Houck said. “We are so grateful to our community who has helped us grow and supported us every step of the way.”