This Week's Hot Headlines

Houston chef brings back beloved Kemah restaurant and more top stories

Eculent is back with a twist.

Courtesy of Eculent

Editor's note: It's time to look back at the top Houston news of the week, which is chock-full of new restaurants. Plus, where to get a taste of cozy fall dishes and drinks. Get the details on our most popular stories below, then head to our event planner for more weekend fun.

1. Houston's mad scientist chef resurrects his modern restaurant in Kemah. Houston chef David Skinner is switching things up at his Kemah complex. The chef is bringing back Eculent, his modernist tasting menu concept — sort of.

2. London-based Italian steakhouse lands in new Houston mixed-use project. The owners of Toca Madera are bringing an Italian steakhouse to the Galleria area’s newest mixed-use development.

3. New Chinese restaurant rolls into River Oaks with duck and dumplings. The River Oaks Shopping Center will soon be home to a new restaurant specializing in contemporary Chinese cuisine. Maison Chinoise will open this winter.

Spread at Maison Chinoise Maison Chinoise

4. Houston restaurant group flies into Upper Kirby with fried chicken pop-up. Houston restaurant group Goode Company is bringing back its Goode Bird fried chicken concept. Now a food truck, the restaurant will make its debut on October 16 at Goode Co. Armadillo Palace.

5. 11 Houston restaurants welcoming fall with new dishes and drinks. Local restaurants are serving hearty dishes and cozy drinks that make it easy to savor the new season — even without sweater weather.

a new record

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo commits over $30 million to education

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo cattle exhibition

Courtesy of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

The money supports studies in fields such as animal husbandry.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo continues its annual tradition of breaking its own record when it comes to educational endowments. On Giving Tuesday, the organization pledged to disburse $30,353,380 in 2026 in the form of scholarships, grants, and other funding.

“This milestone moment of reaching $30 million in a single year highlights the Rodeo’s unwavering dedication to Texas youth and education,” HLSR president and CEO Chris Boleman said in a statement. “Thanks to our loyal donors, sponsors, more than 36,000 volunteers and dedicated attendees, 2026 will reach historic heights in supporting the next generation of leaders, agricultural professionals and organizations that share the Rodeo’s mission.”

This brings the total of education funding provided by the Rodeo since 1932 up to $660 million. Last year's $28 million commitment also set a new record.

One innovation this year is the establishment of the Area Go Texan Vocational Scholarship, a program that expands on the relationship with 68 Texas counties through the Area Go Texan affiliate program. One student from each county will receive $6,000 toward a degree or certificate in a vocational field at a Texas nonprofit college or university. Another $500,000 in vocational scholarships will awarded to 10 schools in 2026. Guidelines for applying can be found at this link.

In total, the Rodeo will hand out $15,126,000 in scholarships, $11,273,500 to junior exhibitors, $3,430,880 in grants, and $523,000 in graduate assistantships. Grants will be awarded to 82 Texas institutions and organizations, such as Arts for Rural Texas, BridgeYear, The Bryan Museum, Diversity in the Arts and Entertainment, Greater Houston Partnership Foundation, Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts (MECA), Space Center Houston, Texas State University Development Foundation, and University of St. Thomas at Houston.

Money for the annual endowment is raised through the annual auctions, sales of livestock and art, and through charitable donations. The goal of the endowment program is to promote study and research in agriculture, animal husbandry, and other fields that directly benefit the Rodeo.

The Rodeo is scheduled to run from March 2 – 22, 2026. More information on performers, attractions, and vendors can be found at RodeoHouston.com. Scholarship applications are open through February 2, with funds being awarded in summer 2026.

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