NOMINEES

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Baso
Belly of the Beast
Katami
Little's Oyster Bar
March
Musaafer
Nancy's Hustle
Nobie's
Squable
Theodore RexCHEF OF THE YEAR
Aaron Davis, Viola & Agnes
Benchawan Painter, Street to Kitchen
David Skinner, Ishtia
Emmanuel Chavez, Tatemo
Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu, Jun
Felipe Riccio, March
Jason Ryczek, Little's Oyster Bar
Manabu Horiuchi, Kata Robata/Katami
Mayank Istwal, Musaafer
Thomas Bille, Belly of the Beast
Victoria Elizondo, Cochinita & Co.RISING STAR CHEF OF THE YEAR
Adrian Torres, Maximo
Alexandra “Allie” Peña, Bar Bludorn
Austin Waiter, The Marigold Club
Chris Davies, March
Jacob Coronado, Nobie's
Kent Domas, Milton's
Max Lappe and Jacques Varon, Baso
Nicolas Vera, Ema/Papalo Taqueria
Ope Amosu, ChòpnBlọk
Yotam Dolev, OktoPASTRY CHEF OF THE YEAR
Avril Martinez, Baso
Christina Au, Blacksmith
Emily Rivas, Josephine's
Josh Deleon, Underground Creamery
Kelly Helgesen, Nancy's Hustle
Marie Riddle, Bludorn Hospitality
Micaela Victoria, Goodnight Hospitality
Rebecca Masson, Fluff Bake Bar
Ruchit Harneja, Berg Hospitality
Stefani Velasquez, Ema/Papalo Taqueria
Van Teemer, Pudgy's Fine CookiesNEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Aga's
Feges BBQ
Gold Tooth Tony's
Handies Douzo
Josephine's Gulf Coast Tradition
Kata Robata
Nonno's Family Pizza Tavern
Ostia
Pondicheri
The Pit Room
Truth BBQBAR OF THE YEAR
Bandista
Catbirds
Clarkwood
Double Trouble
EZ's Liquor Lounge
Johnny's Gold Brick
Lee's
The Library
Melrose
Nickel City
Reserve 101BARTENDER OF THE YEAR
Aaron Lara, Kira
Alejandro Medina, Bar Bludorn
Brandon Choate, Nancy's Hustle
Himanshu Desai, Sof Hospitality
Julia Miles, Refuge
Karole Hardwick, Nickel City
Máté Hartai, Lee's
Peter Jahnke, Catbirds
Robin Jordan, March
Thomas Marsella, 13 CelsiusBEST NEW RESTAURANT
Bar Bludorn
ChòpnBlọk
Credence
Drake's Hollywood
Ema
Ishtia
Kira
Late August
Leo's River Oaks
Little Rey
Maximo
MF Lobster & Seafood
Milton's
Okto
The Marigold Club
Traveler's CartBEST POP-UP/STARTUP
Ally Barrera, Sweet Bee's Bakehouse
Andrea de Gortari, The Bake Happening
Gabriel Gooley, Gabriel's Goodies
Gabriel Medina, Subo
Garrett Rice and Ryan Kristensen, Bayou Butchers
Joseph Boudreaux, Boo's Burgers
Luciana Emiliani, La Crumb
Michelle Wallace, B'tween Sandwich Co.
Ralph Palmer and Daniel Andrade, Deckle & Hide
Suu Khin, BurmaliciousBEST COFFEE SHOP
Blacksmith
Blendin Coffee Club
Brass Tacks
Catalina Coffee
Koffeteria
Slowpokes
Tenfold Coffee
Un Caffe
Xela Coffee Roasters

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PARTICIPANTS

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Bar Bludorn
2025 Rising Star Chef of the Year
2025 Bartender of the Year Nominee
2025 Best New Restaurant Nominee

Bayou Butchers
2025 Best Pop-up/Startup Nominee

Berg Hospitality
2025 Pastry Chef of the Year Nominee

Brass Tacks
2025 Best Coffee Shop Nominee

Deckle and Hide
2025 Best Pop-up/Startup Nominee

Drakes Hollywood
2025 Best New Restaurant Nominee

Fluff Bake Bar
2025 Pastry Chef of the Year Nominee

Ishtia
2025 Chef of the Year Nominee
2025 Best New Restaurant Nominee

Lee's
2025 Bar of the Year Nominee
2025 Bartender of the Year Nominee

Leo's River Oaks
2025 Best New Restaurant Nominee

Little Rey
2025 Best New Restaurant Nominee

Little's Oyster Bar
2025 Restaurant of the Year Nominee
2025 Chef of the Year Nominee

Melrose
2025 Bar of the Year Nominee

Musaafer
2025 Restaurant of the Year Nominee
2025 Chef of the Year Nominee

Októ
2025 Rising Star Chef of the Year Nominee
2025 Best New Restaurant Nominee

Ostia
2025 Neigborhood Restaurant
of the Year Nominee

Slowpokes
2025 Best Coffee Shop Nominee

Subo
2025 Best Pop-up/Startup Nominee

Tatemó
2025 Chef of the Year Nominee

Tenfold Coffee
2025 Best Coffee Shop Nominee

Traveler's Cart
2025 Best New Restaurant Nominee

Xela Coffee Roasters
2025 Best Coffee Shop Nominee

JUDGES

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Eric Sandler
Editor | CultureMap Houston

Emmanuel Chávez
Co-Owner and Chef | Tatemo
2024 Restaurant of the Year Winner

Paolo Justo and Luis Mercado
Chefs and Partners | Neo
2024 Chef of the Year Winner

Lucas McKinney
Executive Chef | Josephine's
2024 Rising Star Chef of the Year Winner

Vanarin Kuch
Pastry Chef and Owner | Koffeteria
2024 Pastry Chef of the Year Winner

Tommy Ho
General Manager | Anvil Bar, Refuge
2024 Bar of the Year Winner

Fabio Pontes
Formerly of Bludorn Restaurant
2024 Bartender of the Year Winner

Abbas Dhanani
Founder | Burger Bodega, HoustonEatz
2024 Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year Winner

Michael Sambrooks
Andiron
2024 Best New Restaurant Winner

Jane Wild
Chef and Owner | Jane and the Lion Bakehouse
2024 Best Pop-up/Startup Winner

Anna Wilkins
General Manager | Better Luck Tomorrow
2024 Best Patio Winner

June Rodil
CEO & Partner | Goodnight Hospitality, March
2024 Wine Program of the Year Winner

Michael Fulmer
Co-Founder | Houston BBQ Festival
Co-Host | What's Eric Eating

PARTNERS

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Chardon
Chardon brings the timeless charm of a classic French bistro to Houston, offering honest, everyday French cuisine with a modern sensibility. Inspired by the simplicity and warmth of bistros found within iconic and charming Paris neighborhoods like Montmarte and La Marais, Chardon focuses on showcasing the best of local ingredients through authentic French cooking. Each dish reflects the artistry of tradition paired with the vibrancy of Houston’s rich culinary landscape. With its warm, relaxed ambience and understated elegance, Chardon offers a dining experience that feels equally suited for a spontaneous weeknight meal or a leisurely evening with friends.

Ritual Zero Proof
Proudly made in Texas, Ritual Zero Proof is America’s No. 1 non-alcoholic spirit brand. Crafted for cocktails, Ritual Tequila, Whiskey, Gin, Rum, and Aperitif Alternatives have the nose, taste, and bite of liquor – without the alcohol or calories. Founded by best friends, born on a cutting board, and perfected across hundreds of iterations with the help of master distillers and award-winning mixologists, Ritual was created because we love a good cocktail, with or without alcohol.

Seedlip
Founded in 2015, Seedlip is the pioneer of non-alcoholic spirits. Combining centuries-old techniques with modern innovations, Seedlip redefines the drinking experience by solving the dilemma of what to drink when you’re not drinking. Inspired by nature, Spice 94, Grove 42, Garden 108, and Notas de Agave deliver a vast range of flavors. These sophisticated, non-alcoholic spirits contain no sugar or calories and make the perfect base for cocktails.

Jim Beam Black
Jim Beam is one of America’s most iconic bourbon brands, dating back to 1795 when Jacob Beam started distilling. The family business evolved over generations, surviving Prohibition, and expanding globally. They know that something magical happens to the whiskey in its seventh year in cask. They call it the sweet spot, where an easy smoothness meets notes of caramel, vanilla, and warm oak, and the liquid turns a rich gold. This is the mellow whiskey you’ll find in the 7-year aged Jim Beam Black. The company makes a firm commitment to its drinkers to always age Jim Beam Black for those seven years. Now at 90-proof, enjoy Jim Beam Black neat, on the rocks, or any way you damn please. You can find more information, recipes, and where to purchase Jim Beam Black and other Jim Beam Bourbons at Finest American Bourbon Whiskey & Craft Spirits | Jim Beam®. Always follow the DrinkSmart rules and drink in moderation.

Stella Artois
Stella Artois traces its origins to over 600 years ago at the Den Hoorn brewery in Leuven, Belgium, founded in 1366. Stella Artois was born as a holiday gift to the people of Leuven from the brewery. The name “Stella” – meaning “star” in Latin – pays homage to the occasion, and a star has been proudly displayed on Stella Artois bottles ever since.

PicMe Events
PicMe Events is passionate about creating picture-perfect experiences. They work closely with clients to create immersive, exciting, and simply outstanding events and experiences. From surprises to show-stoppers, intimate gatherings to mass brand activations, they can do it all. Using the world’s best photo booth technology, they deliver immersive and engaging events that will leave your guests wanting more. Their No. 1 priority is making sure that their clients are able to walk away from their event satisfied and with memories they can treasure for years to come.

BENEFICIARY

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Southern Smoke Foundation
Founded in 2015 by James Beard award-winning chef Chris Shepherd, Southern Smoke Foundation supports members of the food and beverage (F+B) industry in crisis nationwide through emergency relief funding and access to mental health services. To date, Southern Smoke Foundation has provided more than $10.4M in grants to food and beverage workers in need. Through its mental health program, the nonprofit provides no-cost mental health counseling to F+B workers and their children in California, Louisiana, Illinois, New York and Texas, and offers financial assistance to those seeking mental health care outside of the current service states.