Meet Chris Fischer: Unpacking the Life of Amy Schumer’s Acclaimed Chef Husband and Family Man
Comedian and actress Amy Schumer, 42, and her husband, acclaimed chef Chris Fischer, 43, have shared a remarkable journey since secretly tying the knot in Malibu on Valentine’s Day in 2018. Their intimate ceremony took place just days after Amy publicly confirmed their rumored romance on Instagram, marking the beginning of a relationship that has blossomed into a beautiful family and numerous collaborative projects. Over five years into their marriage, the couple has openly navigated the joys and challenges of parenthood, career, and personal growth, always with a touch of Amy’s signature humor. Let’s delve into everything you need to know about Chris Fischer, the talented man behind the celebrated comedian.
He is a Highly Acclaimed Chef with a Global Background
It’s often said that the quickest way to someone’s heart is through their stomach, and perhaps that rings true for Amy Schumer, who found herself captivated by Chris Fischer’s culinary prowess. Chris is far from an ordinary cook; he is a celebrated chef whose impressive resume boasts experience in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens. His culinary journey has taken him across continents, from serving as the personal chef to influential New York restaurateur Keith McNally to honing his skills as a sous chef at Mario Batali’s renowned Babbo restaurant in New York City. He also cooked at Ruth Rodgers’ acclaimed River Café in London and contributed his talents to Alice Waters’ Sustainable Food Project in Rome, as detailed by BU Today. These experiences provided him with a diverse culinary perspective, blending classic techniques with a deep understanding of sustainable, farm-to-table practices.
Amy herself has often quipped about the undeniable benefits of being married to a chef. In her 2019 Netflix special, Growing, she humorously declared, “I married a chef because I’m a f**king genius.” This playful remark highlights not just the delicious meals, but also her genuine appreciation for Chris’s talent and passion for food, which has become a central part of their shared life. His dedication to quality ingredients and masterful preparation makes their home kitchen a true epicurean haven, undoubtedly enriching their daily lives beyond just sustenance.
Chris and Amy Are Parents to One Son, Gene David
Chris Fischer is the proud father of Amy Schumer’s only son, Gene David Fischer. The comedian gave birth to their beloved boy in May 2019 via C-section. While his arrival brought immense joy, it also came with a memorable anecdote regarding his original name. Initially, their son was named Gene Attell, a tribute to stand-up comedy legend Dave Attell. However, in an April 2020 episode of her podcast, 3 Girls, 1 Keith, Amy revealed that they changed his middle name to David after realizing that “Gene Attell” sounded suspiciously like “genital” when spoken aloud. This humorous mishap, openly shared by Amy, perfectly encapsulates their candid approach to parenthood.
Despite the early name change, Gene has already shown signs of possibly following in his father’s culinary footsteps. That same month, Amy charmed fans by sharing an adorable picture of Gene dressed as a “baby chef,” complete with a tiny toque. The couple has also been open about their hopes for expanding their family. In January 2020, Amy bravely shared her personal struggles with IVF, providing an honest look into the emotional and physical toll of fertility treatments. In an April 2021 interview on Ellen, she revealed that she and Chris were actively discussing a second child and “trying to figure it out,” demonstrating their unwavering commitment to building their family, whatever path it may take.
He Has Starred Alongside His Wife in Two Television Shows
Chris Fischer’s talents extend beyond the professional kitchen; he has also become a familiar face on screen, starring in two notable shows with his wife. The entire Fischer-Schumer family, including young Gene, graced screens in the Food Network show Amy Schumer Learns to Cook, which premiered in May 2020 during the early days of the pandemic lockdown. The series offered a delightful glimpse into their home life, featuring Chris patiently teaching Amy everything he knows about cooking, from basic techniques to more intricate recipes. While Chris imparted his professional culinary wisdom, Amy, in turn, showcased her expert bartending skills, sharing amazing cocktail recipes that added a fun, personal touch to their meals. The show’s casual, unscripted nature, often filmed by the couple themselves, resonated deeply with viewers seeking comfort and humor during uncertain times. Its success led to a second season, which premiered in August 2020, and an uncensored version later became available on Discovery+ in January 2021. Both Amy and Chris served as executive producers, and the series earned critical acclaim, receiving a Primetime Emmy Nomination in 2020 for “Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program,” a testament to their authentic chemistry and entertaining dynamic.
Beyond the lighthearted cooking show, Chris also featured prominently in Amy’s deeply personal HBO Max docu-series, Expecting Amy. This three-episode documentary, released in 2020, offered an unfiltered and raw chronicle of the couple’s challenging journey through pregnancy. It bravely documented Amy’s severe battle with hyperemesis gravidarum, a debilitating pregnancy complication characterized by extreme nausea, relentless vomiting, and other severe symptoms. The series provided an intimate look at the physical and emotional toll this condition took on Amy, and by extension, on Chris as her primary support system. It also interwoven with Amy’s demanding work towards her 2019 stand-up special, Growing, where she openly incorporated jokes about her pregnancy experiences and her husband, illustrating her ability to find humor even in the most difficult circumstances. Expecting Amy stood out for its honesty and vulnerability, shedding light on aspects of pregnancy often kept private, and further solidifying Chris’s role as her unwavering partner.
His Sister Reportedly Played Matchmaker
The story of how Amy and Chris met has a charming twist, reportedly involving a bit of matchmaking from within the family. Rumors of their romance first began circulating in November 2017, when they were spotted enjoying dinner together. However, Amy had already hinted at “dating this new dude” back in June of that year. It turns out, she might owe a special thank you to Chris’s sister, Molly Fischer, who was reportedly Amy’s personal assistant. As E! News reported, Molly’s role as an assistant seemingly extended to helping Amy find her future husband, adding a sweet, serendipitous layer to their love story. This connection highlights the close-knit nature of Chris’s family and how their lives unexpectedly intertwined. For those who enjoy a bit more celebrity trivia, Chris also reportedly met famed chef Mario Batali through actor Jake Gyllenhaal, who himself made an appearance on an episode of Inside Amy Schumer in 2016. It’s a fun illustration of how small the celebrity world can be, and one can only hope Jake received an invitation to the couple’s surprise wedding!
He Comes From Generations of Farmers
Chris Fischer’s profound connection to food is deeply rooted in his family’s heritage, stemming from a generational farming tradition on Martha’s Vineyard. His family has diligently run Beetlebung Farm since 1961, cultivating a lifestyle that emphasizes self-sufficiency and a holistic appreciation for natural ingredients. This upbringing instilled in Chris a unique “nontraditional approach to work,” as he describes it. Reflecting on his early career, he once stated, “I jumped into the chef world, but without a chefly background and was so focused for the first two and a half years that I taught myself to run Babbo’s three-star kitchen when I was 25.” This remarkable achievement at such a young age underscores his innate talent and fierce dedication, which he attributes to his early exposure to food in its most natural state. He describes his culinary background not just as formal training, but as “a lot of traveling and a lot of eating,” emphasizing the experiential learning that shaped his palate and philosophy.
Chris further elaborated on this foundational experience in an interview with Timberland, explaining, “I grew up with a family that farmed, hunted and fished for our food, so it was inborn. It was only natural for me to learn to take these beautiful ingredients and do something exciting with them. Taking part in every step of the process from the harvesting of the wood for fuel to the birthing of the animals we eventually eat.” This deep respect for every stage of food production – from the earth to the plate – defines his culinary identity. He reminisced about a childhood filled with simple joys and communal meals: “My childhood was filled with Wiffle ® ball, drinking from hoses and hundreds of shared meals. We always ate lunch together as a family. Always three generations together, sometimes four. There was always something fresh from the garden on the table and it was served simply. More often than not, we ate with our hands.” This idyllic, hands-on upbringing not only cultivated his extraordinary talent for cooking but also fostered a deep appreciation for community, simplicity, and the genuine pleasure of good food.
Chris Also Contributed to a Hometown Restaurant and Taught Culinary Arts
Following his extensive culinary travels and work in high-profile restaurants, Chris Fischer eventually returned to his roots on Martha’s Vineyard in 2005, a move prompted by the passing of his mother. This return allowed him to reconnect with his family’s farm and contribute to the local culinary scene. From 2013 to 2015, he lent his expertise to Chilmark’s Beach Plum Inn and Restaurant, an establishment renowned for its commitment to local, seasonal ingredients, located conveniently near his family’s Beetlebung Farm. His work there further solidified his reputation as a chef who deeply understands and respects the bounty of his native land. In 2016, Chris also took on the role of chef at the newly opened Edgartown restaurant, continuing to elevate the island’s dining experiences. Demonstrating his passion for sharing knowledge, he concurrently served as a part-time instructor at Boston University’s Metropolitan College Programs in Food & Wine. This blend of practical, hands-on cooking and academic instruction showcased his multifaceted dedication to the culinary arts, ensuring his influence reached both diners and aspiring chefs.
Chris Is Openly On The Autism Spectrum
In a significant and deeply personal revelation, Amy Schumer shared that Chris Fischer is on the autism spectrum during her 2019 Netflix special, Growing. She spoke candidly and humorously about the process of realizing his diagnosis, offering audiences a unique perspective on their relationship and understanding. This aspect of Chris’s life was further explored with honesty and sensitivity in their HBO Max docu-series, Expecting Amy, providing a more detailed look at how the diagnosis impacted their lives and communication. Amy has since become a vocal advocate for autism awareness and acceptance. In a heartfelt May 2020 Instagram post, she openly encouraged others to get tested for autism, highlighting the profound benefits of understanding. “Being tested and diagnosed has helped us communicate and support each other better,” she wrote in the caption, emphasizing how information can empower individuals and couples. She passionately advocates for removing any stigma associated with autism, viewing it as a characteristic rather than a limitation. Furthermore, Amy openly discussed the likelihood of their son, Gene, also being diagnosed, expressing a hopeful and positive outlook: “Statistically, our son most likely will be diagnosed as well, and if he’s anything like his father, that is wonderful news.” This perspective underscores their family’s commitment to embracing neurodiversity and fostering an environment of acceptance and understanding.
He Is a James Beard Award-Winning Cookbook Author
For those who aspire to cook with the same passion and philosophy as Amy Schumer’s celebrated husband, Chris Fischer has provided a remarkable resource: his cookbook, Beetlebung Farm Cookbook: A Year of Cooking on Martha’s Vineyard. This culinary masterpiece is far more than a collection of recipes; it is a narrative journey through a year of cooking at his family’s historic farm, reflecting his deep reverence for seasonal ingredients and traditional methods. The book features a diverse array of recipes, ranging from simple yet exquisite vegetable dishes to elaborate lobster preparations, all inspired by the bounty of Martha’s Vineyard. Upon its publication, the cookbook garnered widespread critical acclaim, celebrated for its authentic voice, practical advice, and stunning photography. Its profound impact on the culinary world was recognized with a prestigious James Beard Award, an honor considered one of the highest accolades for top culinary talent in the country. This award solidifies Chris Fischer’s status not only as a gifted chef but also as a compelling storyteller, whose work continues to inspire home cooks and professional culinarians alike with its ethos of fresh, local, and heartfelt cooking.
Chris Fischer’s journey from a generational farmer on Martha’s Vineyard to an acclaimed chef, television personality, and James Beard Award-winning author is as rich and diverse as his culinary creations. His marriage to Amy Schumer has not only brought him into the public eye but has also revealed a partnership built on mutual respect, humor, and unwavering support, particularly as they navigate parenthood and publicly discuss personal challenges like autism. Together, they represent a modern couple embracing life’s complexities with authenticity and a shared appreciation for good food, family, and honest communication.