chris meets lester

Tireless Houston chef gets the spotlight on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt

Chris Williams will speak to Lester Holt tonight.

Photo by Jenn Duncan

UPDATE: After viewing Chris Williams’ story, Southern California siblings Laura and Jeff Parks — whose family was touched by tragedy — drove from the Golden State to Texas to personally deliver their food truck to Williams’ for his Lucille’s 1913 non-profit.

NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt will air the powerful and poignant update to this story at 5:30 pm Monday, April 26 on NBC/NBC affiliates (Channel 2 in Houston).

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As Houston powers through after Winter Storm Uri, some deserving locals are getting some national recognition.

To that end, a Houston chef who has worked tirelessly to feed the community will be highlighted Friday, March 5 at 5:30 pm on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt.

Chef Chris Williams of Lucille’s will speak to Holt about his efforts to help feed frontline healthcare workers, as well as communities in need and school children amid the coronavirus pandemic over the past year.

Between the pandemic and winter storm, Williams and his foundation have served hundreds of thousands of meals.

Best known for his Museum District restaurant Lucille’s, Williams has played a pivotal role in Houston's dining scene throughout the pandemic. He hosted President Joe Biden when he met with George Floyd’s family and established the Lucille's 1913 non-profit to feed needy Houstonians.

He also partnered with Top Chef contestant Dawn Burrell to open a new restaurant in The Ion, Rice University's innovation-focused mixed-use development.

The segment is part of NBC Nightly News’ “Inspiring America” series. Fittingly, this week, the program is highlighting stories of restaurant workers and customers stepping up to help each other, per a release.

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Eric Sandler contributed to this article.

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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.

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