Houston's Coolest Chef

Houston's Coolest Chef is revealed: National pub touts a food pioneer, rails against wannabe hipsters

Who are the coolest people in the world of food and drink? The Daily Meal, a website usually known for suspect lists and trolling food critics, has some thoughts on the subject, with its annual survey of "The 60 (Plus) Coolest People in Food & Drink 2014."

James Beard Award winning chef Robert Del Grande is the only Houston representative on the list, which also includes celebrity pitmaster Aaron Franklin, vodka mogul Tito Beveridge and Dallas celebrity chef Tim Love as Texas representatives. Nationally, the list has a who's who of media adulation, with big names like David Chang, Andrew Zimmern and First Lady Michelle Obama all getting nods.

So, whatever the merits of the honor, at least Del Grande is in good company.

Thankfully, the list isn't ranked. Trying to rank coolness is definitely not cool.

The site admits that defining cool is tricky, but writes that "cool people are true to themselves, and don't serve the masters of fad or fashion. Hipsters aren't cool. Cool is the opposite of trendy, the antithesis of 'hot.' If you think you're cool, you probably aren't."

Thankfully, the list isn't ranked. Trying to rank coolness is definitely not cool.

Del Grande, who also appeared on the list last year, earned a spot for being "wry, soft-spoken and amiable" as well as the way he "galvanized the Houston dining scene with his Cafe Annie." The chef also plays in a band, the Barbwires, that's shared a stage with a few big names.

Knowing went to put down the knife and pick up a guitar? That's totally cool.

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two days of bbq

2 Michelin-rated barbecue joints holding can't-miss pop ups in Houston

Courtesy of KG BBQ

KG BBQ is bringing its Egyptian-influenced barbecue to Houston.

Two of the Texas barbecue joints to earn Bib Gourmand recognition in the Michelin Guide will be holding pop ups in Houston this week. One is visiting from Austin, while another is a Spring favorite with a one-day-only menu.

On Saturday, December 14, Austin’s celebrated KG BBQ will be serving at Axelrad in Midtown. Part of Texas Monthly’s 2023 list of the Top 25 New and Improved BBQ Joints in Texas, KG BBQ has earned wide acclaim for pitmaster Kareem El-Ghayesh’s Egyptian-influenced take on Texas barbecue.

The menu will include many of KG’s most popular dishes, including brisket rice bowls with smoked Mediterranean rice; smoked lamb chops; sumac-and-cinnamon-rubbed lamb shoulder, and sides such as pink buttermilk potato salad and Baladi salad.

Service begins at 10:30 am. Preorders are available online with a minimum order of $60.

In a statement, Axelrad co-owners Adam Brackman and Monte Large say that KG will make more visits to Houston in 2025. El-Ghayesh adds that he’s a fan of the Houston bar that’s known for its spacious backyard with hammocks, a stage, and a wide-ranging menu of beer and cocktails.

“Since the moment I stepped foot in Axelrad, I loved their culture, their vibrant colors and artistic flare, their attention to detail and hospitality and love for entertainment makes this place perfect for bringing back my nostalgic memories of hosting pop-ups like how I started in Austin,” he said. “I’m proud to bring what I have created to Houston. From how diverse the city is, its beautiful variety of ethnic foods, and large Egyptian community, it has so much to offer. We are excited to serve up some Egyptian BBQ to the Houston community through our pop ups over the next year at Axelrad.”

On Sunday, Spring’s Rosemeyer Bar-B-Q will trade its usual offerings for a special menu of dishes made with smoked whole hog. The menu will include whole hog plates, whole hog sandwiches, whole hog-and-parmesan polenta cakes, and whole hog served over cheese grits with a New Orleans-style barbecue sauce as well as sides and desserts. Service will run from 11 am until everything sells out, likely sometime between 2 and 3 pm.

“The whole menu is filled with specials and cool items we don’t do everyday at the stand,” co-owner Jordan Rosemeyer writes in an email. The motive, beyond exercising some creative muscles, is to raise money for Hogs for the Cause, an annual event that raises money for pediatric brain cancer research and the families who are fighting it.

Like KG, Rosemeyer is also a member of Texas Monthly’s 2023 new and improved list. Located at 2111 Riley Fuzzel Rd., the humble trailer has earned acclaim for its weekly specials, housemade ice cream, and well executed barbecue staples.

news-you-can-eat barbecue pop ups kg bbq rosemeyer bar-b-q