CultureMap Video

Behind the scenes at Houston's own cupcake wars: High energy, higher cause

CoupleCake competitor Haley Glasco holds up her correct answer in the NewlywedGame portion of the competition.
Photo by Sarah Rufca
Emcee Cleverley Stone introduces the CoupleCake Wars teams.
Photo by Sarah Rufca
CoupleCake winners Rick Luckett and Melissa Smith
Photo by Sarah Rufca
CoupleCake judges Katie Stuckey, Candace Nelson and Cerón
Photo by Sarah Rufca
The Food Bank walked away with a $10,000 check from Sprinkles owners Charles andCandace Nelson.
Photo by Carey Kirkpatrick

When things get tough, the tough get cupcakes.

Seven couples were put to the test last weekend at Sprinkles Cupcakes in Highland Village. The first annual CoupleCake Wars, an event that culminated a week-long drive to raise funds via a signature promotional "Houston Food Bank" vanilla cupcake sold at Sprinkles, was a high energy fun happening bringing couples and spectators from all over Houston.

Inspired by the success of the Food Network's Cupcake Wars show, CoupleCakes put real couples in challenges that assessed their knowledge of each other, and their decoration and presentation skills.

"One of Sprinkles' core missions is giving back to our local communities," Candace Nelson, founder of Sprinkles Cupcakes and judge on the Food Network's Cupcake Wars, explained. "We donate all of our leftovers at the end of the night to homeless shelters and food banks."

"Culminating with this CoupleCake Wars event, we were able to raise $10,000 for the most amazing organization that will take this $10,000 and turn it into $30,000 worth of meals," Nelson said.

Cleverley Stone, founder of Houston Restaurant Week, Fox 26 Morning News contributor and host of The Cleverley Show on Talk 650, emceed the event and received the donation graciously and emotionally.

"Sprinkles designated 100 percent of the sales of a vanilla cupcake to the Houston Food Bank," Stone said. "It gave me chills. I was in tears."

Stone has made it a personal mission to help eradicate hunger in Houston and the Houston Food Bank is one organization that she supports personally and professionally.

Editor's note: Don't miss Sarah Rufca's day-of story of the event that details the winners.

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shining star

New chicken restaurant flies into Houston with 'gluten-friendly' tendies

Courtesy of Starbird

Starbird sells chicken tenders, chicken nuggets, chicken sandwiches, and more.

A local restaurant group is bringing a California-based chicken concept to Texas. Mac Haik Restaurant Group announced it has reached an agreement with Starbird to open locations in Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.

Founded in the San Francisco area in 2016, Starbird is a fast casual restaurant with 19 locations in California and Colorado. It serves fried chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, chicken nuggets, chicken wings, and salads that are made with chicken that’s “all-natural, never-frozen, antibiotic-free” and covered in a “gluten-friendly breading” that’s cooked fresh to order, according to a press release.

Pair them with sides such as cole slaw, french fries, crispy Thai Brussels sprouts, or elote. Diners can dip their tenders in 11 sauces, including Greek yogurt ranch, Thai herb aioli, honey mustard, honey chipotle bbq, and more.

Part of Mac Haik Enterprises Ltd, Mac Haik Restaurant Group operates a number of franchised restaurants, including breakfast concept First Watch Daytime Café, the Original ChopShop, and Due’ Cucina. It will open Kirkwood, an upscale supper club, later this spring in a West Houston office building that’s also owned by MHE.

“We evaluate opportunities through the lens of long-term brand relevance, not just unit growth,” MHRG COO Dan Anfinson said in a statement. “Starbird delivers a level of culinary quality and operational sophistication that we believe is still underserved in the premium fast-casual chicken category, particularly in Texas. The brand has a clear point of view and the systems to scale responsibly. That combination is rare, and we’re excited to introduce it thoughtfully across our markets.”

The company intends to open as many as 36 locations beginning in 2027, but MHRG is still in the process of securing specific locations. It will announce which city will be first to receive a Starbird at a later time.

“This agreement reflects the strength of our business model and the clarity of our long-term vision,” added Starbird CEO Greg Levin. “As we mark our 10th anniversary, this is shaping up to be our biggest year yet in terms of expansion. Texas is a critical market for us moving forward, and partnering with an experienced organization like Mac Haik Restaurant Group allows us to grow thoughtfully while staying true to what makes Starbird special.”

Courtesy of Starbird

Starbird sells chicken tenders, chicken nuggets, chicken sandwiches, and more.

openings news-you-can-eat starbird