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ABOUT

The CultureMap Tastemaker Awards return to celebrate Houston’s top restaurant and bar talent for 2026. Our mission is to shine a spotlight on the people and places that make Houston a world-class culinary destination.

Join us April 16 at Silver Street Studios for our signature tasting event and awards ceremony. We’ll celebrate all of the nominees and unveil this year’s winners, and you’ll enjoy chef-prepared bites and specialty drinks all night.

Get to know the nominees in our special editorial series, then join us April 16 as we toast the Tastemakers.

This is a sell-out event — get your tickets now!

CultureMap Tastemaker Awards

April 16, 2026

GA 7 pm | VIP 6 pm

Silver Street Studios

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NOMINEES

Meet the exceptional culinary talent nominated in this year's awards.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR

Nominees to be revealed soon!

CHEF OF THE YEAR

Nominees to be revealed soon!

BAR OF THE YEAR

Nominees to be revealed soon!

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

Nominees to be revealed soon!

NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR

Nominees to be revealed soon!

RISING STAR CHEF OF THE YEAR

Nominees to be revealed soon!

BARTENDER OF THE YEAR

Nominees to be revealed soon!

DESSERT PROGRAM OF THE YEAR

Nominees to be revealed soon!

COFFEE SHOP OF THE YEAR

Nominees to be revealed soon!

BEST SANDWICH

Nominees to be revealed soon!
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PARTICIPANTS

Delicious details coming soon!

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JUDGES

Meet our distinguished panel of culinary experts and past Tastemakers winners.

Eric Sandler headshot
Eric Sandler
Editor, CultureMap Houston
Emmanuel Chávez headshot
Emmanuel Chávez
Chef/Co-owner, Tatemo
2025 Chef of the Year Winner
Suu Khin headshot
Suu Khin
Executive Chef/Owner, Burmalicious
2025 Best Pop-up/Startup Winner
Max Lappe headshot
Max Lappe
Executive Chef, Baso
2025 Restaurant of the Year Winner 2025 & Rising Star Chef of the Year Winner
Benjy Mason headshot
Benjy Mason
Owner, Johnny’s Gold Brick
2025 Bar of the Year Winner
Lucas McKinney headshot
Lucas McKinney
Executive Chef, Josephine’s Gulf Coast Tradition
2025 Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year Winner
Frank Ortiz headshot
Frank Ortiz
Area Manager, Leo’s River Oaks
2025 Best New Restaurant Winner
Niken Prabanto headshot
Niken Prabanto
CEO/Co-owner, Thoughtful Endeavors
2025 Best Coffee Shop Winner
Jacques Varon  headshot
Jacques Varon
Chef/Owner, Baso
2025 Restaurant of the Year Winner 2025 & Rising Star Chef of the Year Winner
Stephanie Velasquez headshot
Stephanie Velasquez
Pastry Chef, Casaema & Papalo Taqueria
2025 Pastry Chef of the Year Winner
Felice Simone headshot
Felice Simone
Influencer, @swankymaven
Shawn Singh headshot
Shawn Singh
Founder, @shawnthefoodsheep
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PARTNERS

The CultureMap Tastemaker Awards program is brought to you by the following partners.

Culinary Khancepts logo
Culinary Khancepts

Culinary Khanceptsis a Houston-based hospitality group known for creating bold, guest-focused dining experiences. Founded in 2004 as one of the nation’s first in-theater dining companies, Culinary Khancepts has grown into a team of creators, operators, and visionaries behind some of the city’s most distinctive restaurant and entertainment destinations. Early roots shaped a deep respect for service and connection, which are values they continue to honor. With a team-first culture and deep Houston roots, Culinary Khancepts is proud to shape how Houston dines, gathers, and celebrates. Follow along on social media:@culinarykhancepts

Visit →
NXT LVL EVENT logo
NXT LVL EVENT

NXT LVL EVENT is an experiential marketing and immersive event company that transforms ordinary gatherings into unforgettable brand moments. It specializes in interactive photo, video, and AI-powered activations that blend technology, creativity, and human connection, helping brands engage guests in meaningful, shareable ways. From corporate events to large-scale brand activations, NXT LVL EVENT creates experiences where stories come to life and brands become experience

Visit →

For sponsorship opportunities, email sales@culturemap.com

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BENEFICIARY

Southern Smoke Foundation logo

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.

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DON'T MISS ANY OF THE DELICIOUS DETAILS

Get ticket drops, nominee reveals, and insider updates for Houston.