Coronavirus News

Texas governor finally issues statewide shutdown of restaurants and bars

This kind of gathering is no longer allowed.

Photo courtesy of VisitDallas

After avoiding the inevitable for more than a week, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott finally shut down dining in restaurants and bars across the state of Texas, in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

In a March 19 press conference, Abbott declared a public health disaster in the state of Texas, imposing statewide closures of restaurants, bars, schools, gyms, nursing homes, and retirement centers.

The declaration begins at midnight Friday, March 20 and extends to midnight April 3.

Restaurants can still do takeout and delivery, which Abbott stressed was important.

"This allows the use of drive-through, pickup, and delivery options," Abbott said. "In fact, that is highly encouraged during this limited duration."

Abbott also waived regulations prohibiting restaurants to sell alcohol, allowing them to sell beer, wine, and mixed drinks to-go.

The governor had previously left the decision to individual cities, creating a patchwork of confusion and disparity between neighboring towns, and frustration from those who had taken the proactive stance.

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson and Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins shut down restaurants and bars with a declaration of disaster on March 16. The Dallas City Council then convened a special meeting to extend the date to April 29.

The city of Plano also shut down restaurants and bars through April 27.

Fort Worth and Allen initially tried to do halfway efforts by keeping restaurants open but limiting the number of customers before closing down on-site dining altogether. Frisco just opted not to close restaurants, so this state measure will override that decision.

Abbott said that Texas' traditional model of dealing with natural disasters wasn't sufficient, and that the state needed to "elevate our response to COVID-19."

"Last Friday, there were 39 cases of Texans who tested positive — today that number has grown to more than 140 people who have tested positive," he said. "Last Friday, there were zero death — today there are three deaths. There were 10 counties with coronavirus cases last Friday — there are at least 27 today."

"What we're dealing with now in Texas is not a local or regional disaster, it's far more than a nationwide disaster in that it is an international pandemic," he said. "It is essential that all Americans comply with the standards established by the Centers for Disease Control and Protection."

Abbott said that Dr. John Hellerstedt, Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), insisted that Texas need a unified response, with four bullet points:

Every person in Texas shall avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10.
People shall avoid eating or drinking at restaurants or bars, or visiting the gym.
People shall not visit nursing homes or retirement centers or longterm facilities.
All schools shall be closed.

He said that grocery stores, hotels, and office workplaces can stay open, and also domestic travel.

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Stephanie Allmon Merry contributed to this story.

health

no cap

Chef-backed nonprofit will train the next generation of Houston hospitality

Courtesy of Culinary Careers Program

Aaron Bludorn has been involved with Culinary Careers Program for many years.

A culinary training program founded by one of America’s most prominent celebrity chefs is coming to Houston. Culinary Careers Program (C•CAP) will launch in Houston with a sold out dinner this Wednesday, September 16.

Founded by multiple time James Beard Award winner Marcus Samuelsson, Culinary Careers Program is a national workforce development nonprofit that partners with public schools to provide under-resourced students with the skills they need to succeed in jobs in the hospitality industry.

The nonprofit provides education, job training, apprenticeships, scholarships, and career opportunities that both help students find good jobs and supply restaurants with well-trained, highly-motivated employees.

To date, Culinary Careers Program has reached close to 400,000 students across the United States and awarded $79 million in college scholarships.

Houston chef and restaurateur Aaron Bludorn became involved with C•CAP when he served as executive chef of Cafe Boulud in New York City. He’s leading the charge to bring the program to Houston by hosting a sold out fundraiser at Bar Bludorn this Wednesday in collaboration with chef Nick Wong (Agnes and Sherman) and Leonard Botello IV (Truth BBQ).

“It’s so important that C•CAP comes to Houston. I think it’s very similar to, if we’re going to get good at soccer in the United States we need to focus on youth soccer and getting kids interested early,” Bludorn tells CultureMap.

“For Houston to continue to become a major culinary city in the United States, it’s important to focus on the next generation of chefs. C•CAP gives that opportunity to high school students to have on the job training while still being in school.”

As the owner of a growing group of restaurants, Bludorn recognizes that businesses need a steady stream of people. C•CAP participants arrive with basic skills that allow them to get up to speed more quickly than other applicants.

“It provides chefs with young talented cooks that have been vetted and given proper training. You’re not taking a guess on someone,” Bludorn says.

Botello IV’s participation shows that C•CAP is adapting to Texas. Students will have the opportunity to work at Truth BBQ, a Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient that Texas Monthly ranks as the state’s 10th best barbecue joint.

“There will be opportunities to become a chef or a general manager, but also to learn barbecue and get your foot in the door at a place like Truth and become a pitmaster. That on-the-job training is the most valuable,” Bludorn says.

news-you-can-eat chefs fundraisers