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    Southern Smoke Wrap Up

    Up in Smoke: Food fest featuring celebrity chefs rakes in record amount to fight MS

    Eric Sandler
    Nov 7, 2016 | 1:41 pm

    Light rain and cloudy skies couldn't dampen the enthusiasm at Sunday's Southern Smoke. Now in its second year, the event, organized by Underbelly chef-owner Chris Shepherd, raises money for the National MS Foundation.

    After taking in almost $184,000 in 2015, the James Beard Award winner set a goal of $200,000 for this year's event, but Houstonians' generosity vastly exceeded those expectations. At the end of the night, Shepherd announced a total donation of $281,357.20. Adding in-kind contributions from sponsors like Pitmaker, 44 Farms, and Lexus bumped the total charitable effort to over $400,000.

    To achieve that goal, Shepherd tapped his network of celebrity chef friends from across Texas and the South. Two of the country's most acclaimed pitmasters — Aaron Franklin (Franklin Barbecue) and Rodney Scott (Scott's Bar-B-Que in Hemingway, South Carolina) — returned to serve their signature beef brisket and whole hog, respectively.

    James Beard Award winners Ryan Prewitt (Peche) and Stephen Stryjewski (Cochon) came from New Orleans with roasted oysters and boudin. Tandy Wilson, a James Beard Award winner from City House in Nashville, served smoked Vietnamese-style bologna with nuoc mam slaw. Ashley Christensen, a James Beard Award winner with seven restaurants in Raleigh, North Carolina, served beer can chicken with comeback sauce.

    The HOUBBQ Collective — a group of local chefs that includes Seth Siegel-Gardner and Terrence Gallivan (The Pass & Provisions), Justin Yu (Oxheart), Ryan Pera (Coltivare, Revival Market), and Shepherd — served a rotating series of dishes including pizza, grilled fish tacos, gyros, and more.

    Attendees eagerly debating their favorites. Franklin and Scott attracted the longest lines, but all of the chefs saw steady traffic throughout the event. Christensen certainly made a lot of fans with her juicy, smoky chicken, and the Houston chefs' uni pizza also earned raves. An extensive selection of wine and beer from Saint Arnold Brewing Company offered plenty of choices to keep attendees refreshed.

    A number of silent auction items helped contribute $153,572 to the total. Highlights included a VIP Super Bowl package for two ($20,500), a trip to see a taping of Jimmy Kimmel Live, and dinner for 30 prepared by the HOUBBQ Collective that netted an impressive $19,500.

    Shepherd already promised that Southern Smoke will return for 2017, and it will be interesting to see how the event evolves. Houston doesn't have a food and wine festival in the same way that cities like Austin, Aspen, and Charleston do, but Southern Smoke's combination of celebrity chefs and charitable giving certainly points the way towards what a Houston version might look like. If Southern Smoke evolves from a fundraiser with great food into a weekend-long affair that draws more of the country's best chefs to Houston, it will cement its status as Houston's premier food event.

    Aaron Franklin slices brisket.

    Southern Smoke Aaron Franklin
      
    Photo by © Michelle Watson/Catchlightgroup.com
    Aaron Franklin slices brisket.
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    Drop it like it's hot

    Houston farmers market adds new indoor pickleball court with food and cocktails

    Brianna Griff
    Jun 18, 2025 | 1:00 pm
    Drop Shots HTX indoor pickleball courts
    Photo by Abante Photography
    Drop Shots HTX celebrates its grand opening this Saturday, June 21.

    Pickleball isn’t going anywhere — the racquet sport continues to score with Houstonians. The newest player on the city’s crowded court, Drop Shots HTX, stands out for one big reason: it’s entirely indoors.

    Drop Shots HTX indoor pickleball courts
      

    Photo by Abante Photography

    Drop Shots HTX celebrates its grand opening this Saturday, June 21.

    Opening June 21, Drop Shots HTX is the brainchild of hospitality veterans Roveen Abante (Conservatory Galleria, Duchess), Chase Lovullo (Conservatory Galleria), and Shawn Outlaw.

    “We didn’t just want to open a bar,” co-founder Roveen Abante said in a statement. “We built a space where people connect, whether they’re playing or not. There’s something for everyone here.”

    Drop Shots HTX is marking its grand opening on June 21 from 12-11 pm, offering all-day open play for $5 along with $5 food and drink specials. Live DJs and giveaways will add to the experience.

    Patrons can soak up the A/C while slapping balls across one of the six professional-grade indoor courts. Off the court, guests can engage in friendly competitions of skee-ball, ping pong, arcade basketball, and cornhole in the second-floor lounge. Nine screens make up one wall in the mezzanine, ideal for catching the latest game, or can be expanded into one 195-inch television.

    Clutch City Kitchen will keep the players' appetite at bay with pizzas, sandwiches, and acai bowls. For hydration, an indoor/outdoor full bar will have 10 signature pickleball-themed cocktails, mocktails, and fresh juices crafted from local fruits and veggies.

    “Some venues lean into serious competition, we lean into fun,” added co-founder Shawn Outlaw. “We’re the only indoor pickleball facility inside the Loop with a full bar, kitchen, lounge, and patio. But more than that, we’re the only one that feels like your new favorite neighborhood hangout, even if you never touch a paddle.”

    Events like Glow-in-the-Dark Fridays, Tacos and Tequila Saturdays, and Pancakes and Pickball mornings add a twist to the typical pickleball match. Bring the kids—the venue is family-friendly until 10pm.

    “We created Drop Shots HTX because we fell in love with a game that brings generations together,” Outlaw said. “From our 10-year-olds to our 65-year-old parents, pickleball is for everyone. And so is this space.”

    Drop Shots HTX is located at 2520 Airline Drive, Building A, Suite 100. It’s open Monday through Thursday from 12-11pm, Friday from 12 pm-12 am, and Saturday and Sunday from 11 am-11 pm.

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