A Taste of Houston

Celebrate Houston's best food and drink at CultureMap's tastiest party of the year

Tastemaker Awards 2018 bartender Leslie Ross Krockenberger

Join us at the 2019 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards on March 27.

Photo by Emily Jaschke

It's time to raise your glass to Houston's culinary rock stars: The annual CultureMap Tastemaker Awards, our signature food and drink celebration, returns to Houston on March 27.

This has become one of the most popular food parties of the year — 2018 was a sell-out success — and at the heart of the event is our coveted awards program honoring the best restaurant and bar talent in Houston.

Each year, CultureMap shines a spotlight on the people making the city's culinary scene special. First, we collaborate with a panel of experts, including previous Tastemaker winners, to determine the nominees. The panel then selects winners in every category, except Best New Restaurant, which will be determined by readers in our interactive tournament next month.

This year's categories are Restaurant of the Year, Chef of the Year, Rising Star Chef of the Year, Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year, Bar of the Year, Bartender of the Year, Wine Program of the Year, Pastry Chef of the Year, Brewery of the Year, Favorite Burger, and Best New Restaurant.

We'll unveil the nominees soon, and then you'll get to know them all in a special editorial series leading up to the big event.

Join us March 27 at Silver Street Studios for the CultureMap Tastemaker Awards presented by Woodford Reserve, where you'll nosh on signature sweet and savory bites from participating nominees; sip wine, beer, and specialty cocktails from Woodford Reserve; and toast the winners at our awards ceremony.

Discounted tickets are on sale now. Through February 15, you can snag general admission tickets for $50 each or splurge on VIP admission, which includes early access to the event, a dedicated VIP bar, an elevated food pairing experience, and more, for $95.

Advanced general admission and VIP ticket sales will run through March 26 for $60 and $105, respectively. Day-of tickets will be available for $70 and $115. A portion of the proceeds benefits Second Servings of Houston.

Grab your tickets now, then follow along as we unveil the nominees and more delicious event details, and we'll see you at the party in March.

awards tastemakers

flying into Houston

Chopped champion's Indian-spiced fried chicken joint opens in Midtown

One of Houston’s most dynamic chefs has unveiled his take on fried chicken. Pok Pok Po is now open in Midtown.

Located at 3201 Louisiana, the restaurant is the latest concept from chef and Chopped champion Jassi Bindra and business partners Surpreet and Preet Paul Singh, the trio behind Indian fine dining restaurant Amrina in The Woodlands. Bindra’s fried chicken recipe uses a gluten-free flour and starch batter that’s seasoned with Indian Kashmiri red chili powder along with other herbs and spices. It’s pressure cooked to ensure the meat stays both juicy and crispy.

The certified halal chicken is available as strips, sandwiches (made with thigh meat), and chicken breast bites.Those looking for a heartier meal, can get their chicken served on top of sidewinder fries or in the “Rice & Shine,” which includes basmati rice and Bindra’s “Desi kimchi.” Beverage options include Akra, an American-style lager that’s brewed in India, cannabis-infused drinks from 8th Wonder and non-alcoholic options such as sodas and a mango lassi.

“At Pok Pok Po, we’re creating something that’s not just a meal but an experience,” Bindra said in a statement. “We’ve taken everything people love about fried chicken and given it a twist with bold, gluten-free recipes and flavors that truly speak to the diversity of Houston.”

While most counter service restaurants are designed primarily for to-go, Pok Pok Po’s 55-seat dining room caters to those who want to enjoy their meals. It features banquette seating and a white-and-black motif that will also be present at Bol, the restaurant’s sister concept that’s opening soon.

The two restaurants occupy part of the former Artisans space. Medium Rare, an affordable steak frites restaurant from Washington, D.C., recently opened next to Bol and Pok Pok Po.

Courtesy of Pok Pok Po

Pok Pok Po is now open in Midtown.

news-you-can-eat openings pok pok po