Breaking Bread: A Conversation hosted by Chris Shepherd with Joe Kwon at Hobby Center for the Performing Arts

Breaking Bread is a new series presented by the Hobby Center in partnership with James Beard Award-winning chef and TV host Chris Shepherd. He trades his culinary jacket for a mic and sits down with creatives and thinkers who inspire him and who’ve influenced culture for unscripted chats about experiences that shaped them. Unforgettable stories, small club vibes, and a killer menu curated by Chris especially for the Founders Club. Joe Kwon—known to many as the cellist of The Avett Brothers—joins Chris for a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation about curiosity, craft, and creativity. Born in South Korea and raised in High Point, North Carolina, the self-described foodie shares his roots on stages around the world as they explore his Joe Kwon path from lifelong musician—with a detour through computer science—to artist, wine enthusiast, and collaborator, reflecting on how discipline and instinct shape everything he pursues, from music to food. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at how passions evolve, how ideas connect across worlds, and why a melody or a shared meal can mean more than the moment itself.