New Pop-Up Series

Sugar Hooker lures country's top culinary talent for new pop-up series

Fluff Bake Bar's post-flood renovations may have removed most of its seating, but chef-owner Rebecca Masson still wants to share her friend's talents with Houstonians.

Instead of "Dinner With My Friends," Masson — affectionately known as the "Sugar Hooker" for her baking prowess — has launched a new pop-up series called the Thursday Night Take Over that's more casual and more affordable than a formal sit down dinner. She's invited a number of top chefs from around the country to participate in the monthly pop-ups, but for the kick-off on February 22 she's keeping things closer to home.

Chris Shepherd, the James Beard Award-winning chef behind Underbelly, Hay Merchant, and One Fifth, will appear at Fluff. Although the menu is still TBA, Masson says Shepherd may use the event as an opportunity to preview a dish or two from UB Preserv, the restaurant he's opening in April that will be an evolution of Underbelly.

"I’m very excited about this new series, and I couldn’t ask for anyone better to kick it off than Chris Shepherd,” Masson said in a statement. “All of these chefs are magical, and I want people in Houston to have a chance to experience their food in a fun and unique way. We won’t have the restrictions of a seated dinner, and I think it gives the chefs an opportunity to play around and try some new things – all in the name of a very important cause.”

The rest of the roster includes Dallas chef John Tesar (Knife, Knife Burger) — who will return to Houston after a sold out Dinner With My Friends appearance — and some of the chefs that traveled to Houston to participate in Indie Chefs Week: Christine Rivera (Galaxy Taco, San Diego); Richie Nakano (IDK Concepts, San Francisco); Claudette Zepeda-Wilkins (El Jardin, San Diego); and Matthew Gaudet, (Superfine Food, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts).

Speaking to CultureMap, Masson adds that she wanted to capture the casual, come-as-you-are feel that's made her Saturday morning bake sales so successful. The Thursday night events will allow diners who couldn't commit to a three-hour dinner (or a $125 ticket) to have the opportunity to sample a chef's dishes.

"We did a ramen pop-up with Justin Justin Carlisle (Arden and Red Light Ramen, Milwaukee)," Masson says. "I think people liked the ease of coming at any time during the night."

Those who want a slightly more formal experience may purchase one of the fours seats at the chef's counter for $20. Choose from either a 6 pm or 7:30 pm, and the $20 goes towards the night's bill. Wine and Saint Arnold beer pairings will also be available.

Best of all, 10 percent of all proceeds will benefit Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry program. Here's the full roster:

Feb. 22: Chris Shepherd, UB Preserv, Houston
March 8: Christine Rivera, Galaxy Taco, San Diego
April 12: Justin Brunson, Old Major, Denver
May 10: John Tesar, Knife Dallas, Dallas
June 14: Richie Nakano, IDK Concepts, San Francisco
Aug. 9: Claudette Zepeda-Wilkins, El Jardin, San Diego
Sept. 13: Aaron Hoskins & Sarah Simmons, Columbia, South Carolina.
Oct. 11: Tim Maslow, Boston, Massachusetts.
Nov. 8: Matthew Gaudet, Superfine Food, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts.
Dec. 13: TBA

Rebecca Masson's new pop-up series starts February 22.

Courtesy photo

Rebecca Masson's new pop-up series starts February 22.

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H-E-B names 3 innovative Houston food companies among 'Texas Best'

H-E-B Quest for Texas Best Hive Food Co.

Photo courtesy of H-E-B

Hive Food Co. is known for its infused honey.

After months of pouring over video submissions, H-E-B is entering the final leg of its annual grocery games. The San Antonio-based supermarket chain has narrowed down the finalists for its annual Quest for Texas Best competition, including three from Houston.

Ten innovative Texas entrepreneurs were chosen from a record-breaking 978 entries representing more than 500 companies spread across the Lone Star State.

Now in its 13th year, the contest asks Texas small businesses to put their best foot forward for the chance to win a combined $100,000 in cash prizes and the opportunity to be stocked on H-E-B shelves. Since the competition's beginning, the grocer has discovered more than 1,000 unique products, many of which have become literal household names.

“Quest for Texas Best is more than a competition; it is a launchpad for Texas entrepreneurs,” said James Harris, senior director of diversity & inclusion and supplier diversity for H‑E‑B, in a release. “H‑E‑B began as a small business, and we know firsthand how powerful the right opportunity can be.”

This year, the San Antonio and Houston regions were at the head of the pack with three finalist nods each. But the entrepreneurs hailed from all over the state — from border town Roma to Fort Worth suburb Haltom City. The top 10 hopefuls include:

Boerne — Coley’s Foods Inc., a frozen cookie dough company
Floresville — Dean & Peeler Meats, a beef producer known for its smoked Gouda sausage and Angus tallow
San Antonio — WFN Foods, maker of heat-and-serve taco fillings like beef barbacoa, pork carnitas, and carne guisada
Roma — In Your Smokin' Face, a spice company specializing in bold chile piquín and carne asada blends
Haltom City — Sol Dias, a gourmet paleta and Mexican ice cream company
Glenn Heights — Uncle Marc’s, a manufacturer of barbecue seasonings, rubs, and sauces
Houston — Doggie Express, a small-batch maker of decorated treats for canine celebrations
Houston — Big Bayou Cocktail Sauce, a saucy supplier branching out to Bloody Mary and margarita mixes
Houston — Hive Food Co., beekeepers known for gourmet infused honey
Bastrop — La Fregona, creators of a chile sauce for elotes and esquites

The final contenders will pitch their products on October 8 at H-E-B's headquarters in San Antonio, where judges will determine the top four winning products and award $50,000 to the Grand Prize winner and the "Texas Best" title — an honor that guarantees placement on H-E-B store shelves.

The first-place winner will receive $25,000, the second-place winner will receive $15,000, and the third-place winner will receive $10,000.

Since 2014, H-E-B has handed out nearly $2.75 million in prize money to Texas entrepreneurs. But Quest for Texas Best isn’t just about capital: the winners receive marketing, mentoring, and supplemental support to grow their brands. Fifty-five Texas small businesses that took part in the contest have achieved $1 million in sales and earned a commemorative H-E-B Million Dollar Club belt buckle.

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