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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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street food inspired

Veteran chef opens affordable new Thai restaurant in West Houston

A new restaurant serving Thai street food is opening in the Westchase District. Osha Thai Kitchen will begin serving customers on Tuesday, December 10.

Located in the West on West development (12230 Westheimer Rd.), Osha Thai Kitchen is the latest project from Saranya Danvetnukroh, who owns Nua Thai in downtown Houston. Named for the Thai word that means “delicious,” the restaurant takes inspiration from dishes served in street markets in different regions of Thailand as well as some items for those seeking more familiar flavors.

Meals at Osha could start with items such as crispy spring rolls, crab rangoon, or Thai chicken wings. Three papaya salads — traditional Thai, one with salted egg, and another that’s Lao style with salted crab — join chicken larb in the salads section.

Notably, Osha makes all of its noodles in-house. They’re utilized in dishes such as pad Thai, pad see ew, and pad woo sen. The restaurant also makes its curries in-house. They include red curry, green curry, and panang curry.

Part of Osha’s appeal will be its affordable prices. Only two entrees, crab fried rice and whole fried red snapper, cost more than $20.

Danvetnukroh has recruited sous chef Afridi Zama to lead the kitchen. His resume includes time with Pappas restaurant and at The Nicolette, a restaurant in Lubbock that earned a James Beard Award semifinalist nomination in 2022.

“This project is a culmination of dedication to our craft and creativity to elevate Thai cuisine,”

Danvetnukroh said in a statement. “It’s an homage to our roots and a celebration of our heritage in the modern age.”

West on West is home to number of food-related business. Its anchored by a 99 Ranch grocery store and includes restaurants such as cake bakery Lady M and Tokyo-based ramen shop Tsujita Artisan Noodle.

Photo by Becca Wright

Osha Thai Kitchen opens December 10.

openings news-you-can-eat osha thai kitchen