Food events postponed

Houston foodie events postponed or canceled as coronavirus concerns rise

8th Wonder Brewery has postponed its anniversary party.

Courtesy photo

Editor's note: Food events across the Houston area are being postponed or cancelled in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. This article will keep readers current on all the latest updates. CultureMap will update this article as news warrants.

The CultureMap Tastemaker Awards, scheduled for April 2, have been postponed. Existing ticket holders will be notified by email immediately once the new event date is determined.

Southern Smoke Spring has cancelled its dinner scheduled for March 28 that would have featured James Beard Award-winning chefs Chris Shepherd and Stephanie Izard. In a statement, Shepherd encouraged donations to the Southern Smoke Foundation, which provides emergency financial assistance to people in the restaurant industry.

"This was a heartbreaking decision for us to make, as we were on pace to raise more than $200,000 for the Southern Smoke Emergency Relief Fund for food and beverage industry professionals in crisis," Shepherd said in a statement. "We know they will need the support of Southern Smoke more than ever in the coming weeks and months. Our hope, as always, is to be ready to support those in the industry in crisis who are unable to work due to illness, natural disasters or other catastrophic events that render them unable to earn a living. Houston’s robust culinary community soldiers on, and we hope that you will continue to patronize local bars and restaurants."

8th Wonder Brewery has postponed its annual Celebr8ion that had been scheduled for March 21. The event was expected to draw 1,500 people to the EaDo brewery for a day of music, beer, and food.

"We are incredibly bummed, but it’s in everyone’s best interest," the brewery stated on social media. "We will issue refunds on all tickets. Stay tuned for upcoming release dates on all the ridiculous beer we were going to tap for the big day."

Holler Brewing has postponed its Puppies for Breakfast pre-fest party that was scheduled for Sunday, March 15.

🚨 We have made the decision that this weekend is not ideal to host our fundraising event for @Friends4Lifeorg We look forward to a make up celebration in the next few months 🚨 pic.twitter.com/KGJkQ2s9Xp

— Holler Brewing Co. (@HollerBeer) March 12, 2020

Karbach Brewing has postponed its Light Circus Spring Break Concert that had been scheduled for Saturday, March 14. Tickets will be honored for the new date. Those with questions may contact the brewery at either info@karbachbrewing.com or 713-680-8886.

Saint Arnold Brewing Company has canceled or postponed a number of events. Its restaurant and beer garden remains open normal hours. Canceled events include pub crawls in Katy (March 14) and College Station (March 28). Postponed events include: Saint Patrick's Day Party (March 17), Fly Fishing Film Tour (March 25), Beer and Dumpling Pairing (March 29), and the Art Car IPA 5K (April 5). People who registered for those events will receive an email from the brewery with more information.

Tacos Over Texas, originally scheduled for April 5, has been canceled for 2020. The event, which raises money for the The Ninfa Laurenzo Scholarship Fund, will return in 2021.

Chef Fest has canceled its event scheduled for March 29. In a statement, organizers encourage Houstonians to "to find ways to support local restaurants that are appropriate for you and your family." Refunds will be available to sponsors and ticket holders.

The Houston Barbecue Festival has been canceled for 2020. It would have taken place April 5.

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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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