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    Houston's James Beard Finalists

    Two familiar Houston chefs are finalists — again — for coveted James Beard Awards

    Eric Sandler
    Mar 15, 2016 | 12:05 pm

    Since the James Beard Foundation announced its semifinalists last month, the city's culinary community has been buzzing about the diversity of Houston's nominees. Will another Houston chef join Underbelly's Chris Shepherd and Robert Del Grande (RDG + Bar Annie) as a winner of the coveted James Beard Award for Best Chef Southwest?

    On Tuesday, the Foundation announced that two men will have that opportunity when the awards are announced May 2, because they have been named finalists for the award.

    Hugo Ortega, chef/owner of Hugo's, Caracol, and Backstreet Cafe, has been named a finalist for the fifth year in a row. Joining him is Oxheart chef/owner Justin Yu, who makes his third consecutive appearance on the list. Neither of Houston's other semifinalists The Pass & Provisions chef/owners Seth-Siegel Gardner and Terrence Gallivan nor Kata Robata executive chef Manabu Horiuchi, made the list of finalists.

    Elsewhere, Texas chefs in the running for Best Chef Southwest are Bryce Gilmore of Barley Swine in Austin and Steve McHugh of Cured in San Antonio. Denver chef Alex Seidel is the fifth finalist in the category. Austin restaurant Launderette is a finalist in the Best New Restaurant category, and Grae Nonas of Austin restaurant Olamaie is a finalist for Best Rising Star Chef. Former Underbelly cook Daniela Soto-Innes is also a Rising Star finalist for her work at Cosme in New York City.

    Both Anvil Bar & Refuge and Helen Greek Food & Wine received semi-finalist nominations for Outstanding Bar Program and Best New Restaurant, respectively, but neither moved on to finalist status. Similarly, The Pass did not earn a finalist nod for Outstanding Service nor did Tracy Vaught for Outstanding Restaurateur.

    Emotionally, many Houstonians will likely be rooting for Ortega due to his classic rags to riches story of rising from busboy to chef, how outstanding both Hugo's and Caracol are, and that he's one of the nicest human beings in Houston's restaurant community. However, Yu would seem to be more likely to win. He has a higher national profile thanks to his status as a Food & Wine Best New Chef, his participation in high-profile culinary events like the 12 Days of Meadowood, and his inclusion on national lists like Eater's 38 most essential restaurants in America.

    Houstonians won't have to wait long to find out the results. The Foundation's Book, Broadcast, and Journalism Awards will take place in New York City on April 26. The chef awards will be handed on May 2 in Chicago.

    Oxheart chef/owner Justin Yu is a James Beard finalist for the third year in a row.

    Cochon 555 Justin Yu victory
    Photo by Eric Sandler
    Oxheart chef/owner Justin Yu is a James Beard finalist for the third year in a row.
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    Breastaurant news

    Texas restaurant Twin Peaks rises out of bankruptcy with new owners

    John Egan
    Jun 17, 2026 | 9:00 am
    Twin Peaks, girls, food
    Twin Peaks Houston Facebook
    Twin Peaks is climbing its way back.

    Six months after filing for bankruptcy, the Addison-based Twin Peaks restaurant chain is getting a second chance at success.

    In a Monday, June 15 press release, Twin Peaks said it has separated from its parent company, FAT Brands, and now operates as a standalone private company called Summit Twin Hospitality I LLC.

    Summit Acquisitions LLC, a group of the brand’s bondholders — high-priority bankruptcy creditors including Twin Peaks franchisees 3BMgmnt Inc., JEB Food Group, and Operadora 2 Montes — has assumed management of the brand and is poised to eventually buy the chain.

    “This transition gives our team the foundation we’ve needed to execute on the vision we’ve always had for this brand,” says Roger Gondek, president and chief operating officer of Twin Peaks, in the release. “We have a strong system, exceptional operators, and enviable guest loyalty, and now we have the financial footing to match. The best days for Twin Peaks are ahead.”

    In May, a business known as TWNPKS Bid Co. — backed by bondholders — acquired Twin Peaks in a $359 million debt-to-equity deal approved by a bankruptcy judge in Houston.

    Five years ago, FAT Brands bought Twin Peaks from New York City investment firm Garnett Station Partners for $300 million. Last year, Twin Peaks became a publicly traded company after its spinoff from FAT Brands, which remains the chain’s biggest stockholder.

    Twin Peaks enters its new era with more than 115 restaurants in the U.S. and Mexico, including five restaurants in Houston and a total of 31 statewide. More restaurants are on the way, including franchised locations in Brownsville, Laredo, and South Padre Island.

    Twin Peaks, founded in Lewisville in 2005, competes with Bombshells, Hooters, Twisted Kilt, and other “breastaurant” chains.

    According to the press release, Twin Peaks’ executive team remains intact, and no layoffs are planned. In fact, the company plans to add employees as its store count grows.

    In conjunction with FAT Brands’ bankruptcy case, a business called FBG Bid Co. said Tuesday, June 16 that it purchased 13 restaurant brands owned by FAT Brands for about $595 million. The acquisition includes chains like Fatburger, Fazoli’s, Great American Cookies, Johnny Rockets, Marble Slab Creamery, and Ponderosa and Bonanza steakhouses, but excludes Twin Peaks.

    FAT Brands and Twin Peaks filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January with plans to reorganize the businesses. At the time of the bankruptcy filing, FAT Brands owed about $1.4 billion in debt that it was unable to cover.

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