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Mouthwatering matchups: CultureMap's Last Chef Standing bracket challenge needs your vote

It's that time again for CultureMap's Last Chef Standing, an event celebrating culinary camaraderie and competition among 20 of Houston's top chefs.

In the weeks leading up to a live tasting event on June 4 (you're invited — find more information and purchase tickets here), participating restaurants will be pitted against one another in a bracket-style challenge for the prestigious People's Online Choice Award.

Round One — which runs from through Friday — includes a melange of mouthwatering match-ups, like Latin Bites vs. Local Foods, Monica Pope's low-key Sparrow Bar + Cookshop vs, Ryan Hildebrand's playful Triniti, farm-to-table favorite Haven vs. the newly-opened Eleven XI.

Find the whole list of participating restaurants and vote now by clicking here — and rally around your favorites, because only 10 will advance to the next round.

But don't worry: All will be there at the Last Chef Standing live event from 7 to 10 p.m. on June 4 at Royal Sonesta Hotel, serving up signature dishes alongside pairing partners like Pisco Portón, Dripping Springs Vodka, Cabresto Tequila and Bombay Sapphire.

Each dish will be judged by guests and by a panel of foodie judges that include Lily Jang and Katherine Whaley from KHOU Ch. 11 News, Houston Restaurant Weeks founder Cleverley Stone, Eric Sandler of Eater Houston, Blake Hayes of Mix 96.5 and CultureMap's Marcy de Luna.

Tickets to the event, which is sponsored by Cadillac and Ben E. Keith, cost $65 and will benefit the Houston Food Bank. A $125 VIP ticket includes early admission, a meet-and-greet session with restaurants and chefs, exclusive foodie samples and cool swag.

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dine by the vines

Exclusive Texas Hill Country winery restaurant named best in the world

Stout's Signature restaurant at Grape Creek Vineyards in Fredericksburg

Photo courtesy of Grape Creek Vineyards

Stout's Signature is Grape Creek's members-only restaurant, but a small number of reservations will be offered to non-members.

The Hill Country has no shortage of vineyards and wineries that serve bites with their vintages, but only one Fredericksburg vineyard boasts a restaurant that measures up against the best in the world.

The industry experts at Wine Enthusiast have declared Stout's Signature at Grape Creek Vineyards one of the 57 best destination restaurants in the world. It's the only Texas restaurant to make the cut.

The new honor also elevates Grape Creek Vineyards' reputation as one of the best wineries in the Hill Country region, and its tasting tours are also recognized among the best in the country.

Stout's is a hidden gem restaurant where patrons can enjoy Hill Country-inspired cuisine with their wine tastings, from light bites to a hearty meal, all while the sprawling Grape Creek vineyard beckons from beyond the tables.

Signature dinner dishes like the tenderloin bolognese and meatballs made with veal, pork, and ground beef are must-try picks, but Wine Enthusiast reserves the most praise for its weekend brunch.

"[Stout's] boasts the region’s best Sunday brunch, with tables laden with dishes like Bourbon shrimp and grits with homemade andouille sausage and a breakfast burger with egg, bacon, and avocado," Wine Enthusiast wrote. "A mini pancake stack for the table is a must. Pair it with their Cabernet Trois, a bold blend of Cab Sauvignon, Cab Franc, and Ruby Cabernet."

Wine tasting at Grape Creek Vineyards Pair a pour with an app or an entree.Photo courtesy of Grape Creek Vineyards

Stout's has traditionally been a members-only institution for the Grape Creek Wine Club, but non-members now have a chance to dine at the exclusive restaurant. A limited number of Friday and Saturday evening dinner reservations will be offered to the public after the winery's regular closing at 5:30 pm.

"Stout's Signature has always felt like one of our best-kept secrets, and we wanted to give more people the chance to experience it, especially after being named one of the best winery restaurants in the world by Wine Enthusiast this summer," said Heath Family Brands CEO and founder Brian Heath.

Stout's Signature is located at 10587 US-290 in Fredericksburg. Non-member reservation availability is limited, and can be booked by calling 830-644-2710, opt. 3, or online via heathfamilybrands.com.

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