• Restaurants + Bars
  • Entertainment
  • Arts
  • Society
  • City Life
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • Real Estate
  • Home + Design
  • Innovation
  • Travel
  • Sports
  • THE TOP 100
  • City Guide
  • Events
  • Charity Guide
  • Subscribe
  • Cities
  • Austin
  • Dallas
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Fort Worth
Cities
  • Austin
  • Dallas
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Fort Worth
culturemap logo
  • Restaurants + Bars

    THE LATEST

    Eric Sandler: Montrose Mexican staple plans new breakfast joint with caviar, cocktails, and chilaquiles
    say yes to breakfast martinis
    Montrose Mexican staple plans new breakfast joint with caviar + coffee
    By Eric Sandler
    Eric Sandler: New all-day cafe serves up a taste of Louisiana to The Heights in familiar space
    a bonus in the heights
    New all-day cafe serves Louisiana favorites in familiar Heights space
    By Eric Sandler
    Eric Sandler: Power couple behind Nobie's revive seafood-focused Montrose speakeasy after 2 years
    Quiote rides again
    Power couple behind Nobie's revive seafood-focused Montrose speakeasy
    By Eric Sandler

    SPONSORED BY

  • Entertainment

    THE LATEST

    Steven Devadanam: Houston's superstar Lizzo plays runaway bride in dreamy new video starring famous hunk
    lizzo loves tyson?
    Houston's Lizzo plays runaway bride in new video starring famous hunk
    By Steven Devadanam
    Steven Devadanam: Houston's Rooftop Cinema Club reveals long-awaited fall lineup full of fan faves, Halloween thrills, singalong series, and more
    fall on the rooftop
    Houston's Rooftop Cinema Club reveals highly anticipated fall lineup
    By Steven Devadanam
    Steven Devadanam: Houston reality TV stars the Hos return for Season 2 and ink exclusive real estate deal
    h-town ho-down
    Houston's Ho Family back for Season 2, inks exclusive real estate deal
    By Steven Devadanam

    SPONSORED BY

  • Arts

    THE LATEST

    Steven Devadanam: Hilarious Houston lawyers summon audiences to musical comedy romp for a good cause
    court is (back) in session
    Hilarious Houston lawyers summon audiences to fun musical comedy romp
    By Steven Devadanam
    Tarra Gaines: First-ever Houston Theater Week stages BOGO deals for 77 of the season's hottest shows
    prices down, curtain up
    First-ever Houston Theater Week stages BOGO deals 77 hottest shows
    By Tarra Gaines
    Tarra Gaines: 9 vivid and eye-catching August art events no Houstonian should miss
    best august art
    9 vivid and eye-catching August art events no Houstonian should miss
    By Tarra Gaines

    SPONSORED BY

  • Society

    THE LATEST

    Steven Devadanam: Longtime leader of Houston's beloved holiday extravaganza closes up shop after 34-year run
    a fond farewell
    Longtime leader of Houston's beloved holiday experience stepping down
    By Steven Devadanam
    Steven Devadanam: Inspiring celebrity sports power couple hosts can't-miss gala with surprise Houston Astros guests
    a home-run cause
    Sports power couple hosts gala with surprise Astros star guests
    By Steven Devadanam
    Steven Devadanam: Houston's society queen hits the dance floor in red-hot Montrose nightclub's VIP bash
    sobe's back
    Houston's society queen dances away at Montrose club's VIP party
    By Steven Devadanam

    SPONSORED BY

  • City Guide

    THE LATEST

    : Stages
    Entertainment
    Stages
    : PH Design Shop
    Shops
    PH Design Shop
    : Westin Oaks Houston
    Hotels
    Westin Oaks Houston

    SPONSORED BY

  • Events

    THE LATEST

    : Color Factory
    8.18.22 | 9:00 am
    Color Factory
    : The Menil Collection presents Meret Oppenheim: "My Exhibition"
    8.18.22 | 11:00 am
    The Menil Collection presents Meret Oppenheim: "My Exhibition"
    : The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents "Virtual Realities: The Art of M.C. Escher from the Michael S. Sachs Collection"
    8.18.22 | 11:00 am
    The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents "Virtual Realities: The Art of M.C. Escher from the Michael S. Sa...

    SPONSORED BY

  • SportsMap
  • Subscribe
  • City Life

    THE LATEST

    Teresa Gubbins: Girl Scouts bake up radical new flavor for 2023 cookie season in Houston
    the next thin mint? (gasp)
    Girl Scouts bake up radical flavor for 2023 cookie season in Houston
    By Teresa Gubbins
    John Egan: Houston named No. 1 destination for millennials on the move from this Texas city
    Putting down roots
    Houston No. 1 destination for millennials moving from this Texas city
    By John Egan
    Ken Hoffman: Ken Hoffman on why a Houston Astros pivotal star's most heroic work is off the field
    the hero we need
    Ken Hoffman on why an Astros star's most heroic work is off the field
    By Ken Hoffman

    SPONSORED BY

  • Fashion + Beauty

    THE LATEST

    : 5 Houston hot-pink essentials to rock this summer's viral Barbiecore trend
    I'm a Barbie girl, in the Barbie world
    5 Houston hot-pink essentials to rock summer's viral Barbiecore trend
    By Gabi De la Rosa
    : Luxe Uptown boutique fittingly wins best lingerie shop in America title
    a fitting win
    Luxe Uptown boutique fittingly named best lingerie shop in America
    By Gabi De la Rosa
    : Face the scorching Houston summer sun with these tips from local skin care experts
    here comes the sun
    Face the Houston summer sun with tips from local skin care experts
    By Gabi De la Rosa

    SPONSORED BY

  • Real Estate

    THE LATEST

    Hannah J. Frías: Stars at night are big and bright at this stunning $18.5 million Texas ranch
    down by the river
    Stars at night are big and bright at this stunning $18.5M Texas ranch
    By Hannah J. Frías
    John Egan: Retro Hill Country drive-in movie theater premieres on the market at $4 million
    Screen dream
    Retro Hill Country drive-in theater premieres on the market at $4M
    By John Egan
    Holly Beretto: Contemporary 'treehouse' masterpiece in Piney Point blooms on market for $2.8 million
    into the woods
    Contemporary 'treehouse' masterpiece in Piney Point lists for $2.8M
    By Holly Beretto

    SPONSORED BY

  • Home + Design

    THE LATEST

    John Egan: Texas builder unveils sleek prefabricated luxury homes starting at $600,000
    prefab fab
    Texas builder unveils sleek prefab luxury homes starting at $600,000
    By John Egan
    Katie Friel: H-E-B carts out new home decor and furniture for Texas shoppers
    Milk, Bread, Eggs, Accent Chair
    H-E-B carts out new home decor and furniture for Texas shoppers
    By Katie Friel
    Steven Devadanam: In-demand Houston interior designer opens door to elegant new showroom in Rice Village
    livable luxury
    Haute Houston interior designer opens elegant new Rice Village shop
    By Steven Devadanam

    SPONSORED BY

  • Innovation

    THE LATEST

    : 2 Nobel Peace Prize-nominated Houston doctors land on prestigious list of most creative in business
    distinguished dynamic duo
    2 Nobel-nominated Houston doctors land on elite 'most-creative' list
    By Shaina Zucker Pherigo, InnovatioMap
    Natalie Harms: Amazon tries on same-day mall delivery in Houston for in-demand items
    PRIME SHOPPING
    Amazon tries on same-day mall delivery in Houston for in-demand items
    By Natalie Harms
    Steven Devadanam: Houston's elite hospitals score No. 1 spots in prestigious new list of best in U.S. and Texas
    med center might
    Houston hospitals score No. 1 spots in list of best in U.S. and Texas
    By Steven Devadanam

    SPONSORED BY

  • Travel

    THE LATEST

    Teresa Gubbins: State Fair of Texas unleashes 10 creative fried foods for 2022 Big Tex Awards
    all's fair
    State Fair of Texas unleashes 10 creative fried foods for 2022 Big Tex
    By Teresa Gubbins
    Stephanie Allmon Merry: 7 spectacular surprises inside Chip and Joanna Gaines' new Fixer Upper castle in North Texas
    Royal revelation
    7 surprises in Chip & Joanna Gaines' North Texas Fixer Upper castle
    By Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Brianna Caleri: New Hill Country festival jams out with 15 Texas wineries and 3 bands
    The Juice
    New Hill Country festival jams out with 15 Texas wineries and 3 bands
    By Brianna Caleri

    SPONSORED BY

  • Sports

    THE LATEST

    Steven Devadanam: Houston Astros honor Uvalde visitors with special Game Day experience and big win
    uvalde strong
    Houston Astros honor Uvalde visitors with Game Day experience, big win
    By Steven Devadanam
    Ken Hoffman: Ken Hoffman reveals the ultimate insider guide to the Little League World Series — and how he fired The Boss
    big little league
    Ken Hoffman's ultimate insider guide to the Little League World Series
    By Ken Hoffman
    Steven Devadanam: Houston Astros hometown hero's big return headlines can't-miss Hall of Fame Weekend
    he's baaaaack
    Houston Astros hometown hero's return headlines Hall of Fame Weekend
    By Steven Devadanam

    SPONSORED BY

  • Charity Guide
  • Tastemaker Awards
Lexus On the Road
Promoted articles are produced by CultureMap sponsors and not by the editorial staff.
Home » Restaurants + Bars
Howdy, Modi
Houston chef serves up special meals for Indian prime minister's team
Where to Drink Now
Where to drink in Houston right now: 6 buzzy spots pouring CBD sips
LATEST NEWS
Houston No. 1 destination for millennials moving from this Texas city
Pay It Forward

See first-hand how Southern Smoke makes a big impact

See first-hand how Southern Smoke makes a big impact

By CultureMap Create
Sep 24, 2019, 11:35 am
Chris Shepherd Southern Smoke
As Chris Shepherd says, Southern Smoke was created to "take care of our own." Photo courtesy of Southern Smoke

Houston chef Chris Shepherd co-founded the Southern Smoke Foundation to help others who work in the food and beverage industry during times of crisis. It's that guiding principle that fuels the annual Southern Smoke Festival, coming up on October 6.

World-class chefs from across Texas and the nation come together in support of the cause, dishing up delectable samples at the feel-good party of the year.

In addition to Shepherd, this year features chefs Aaron Bludorn, Aaron Franklin, Ashley Christensen, Chris Bianco, Chris Cosentino, Donald Link, Erin Smith and Patrick Feges, Felipe Riccio, Hugo Ortega, Jason Vaughan, Jonny Rhodes, Justin Yu, Lyle Bento, Manabu "Hori" Horiuchi, Marcelo Garcia, Martin Stayer, Matty Matheson, Pitmaker Cooking Team Victor Howard, Julio Howard and George Shore, Pat Martin, Ryan Prewitt, Sarah Grueneberg, Sam Jones, Stephen Stryjewski, Trong Nguyen, and Yehuda Sichel.

There will also be live music from Charley Crockett, Folk Family Revival, and The Ton Tons.

But as fun as this party is, it's important to remember the reason behind it all. As Shepherd says, Southern Smoke was created to "take care of our own."

In March of 2019, the Intercontinental Terminals Company fire closed down Monument Inn Seafood Restaurant for 42 days. In operation since 1974, and purchased by Bob and Ann Laws purchased in 1990, the beloved restaurant serves up fresh seafood while overlooking the Houston Ship Channel, just down the street from the historic Battleship Texas, San Jacinto Battleground, and Lynchburg Ferry. When Southern Smoke executive director Kathryn Lott heard about Monument Inn's tragic shutdown, she knew she had to help.

Ride along with Shepherd in his Lexus ES F Sport as he visits with Bob Laws, who recounts the fire's story and how he paid his team of 75 employees (or as he calls them, family), for all 42 days the restaurant was inoperable, thanks to the financial support of the Southern Smoke Foundation. Now Laws is focused on paying it forward, however he can.

Since its founding in 2017, the Southern Smoke Emergency Relief Fund has distributed more than $705,000 to individuals working in the food and beverage industry that are in crisis. The fund has provided assistance for weather catastrophes and industry professionals with medical bills, vehicular accidents, family support assistance, mental health needs, and more.

If you or someone you know works in the food and beverage industry and needs help, apply at SouthernSmoke.org. Buy your tickets now to the fifth annual Southern Smoke, and do good while enjoying some damn good food.

If the Lexus ES F Sport, with its roomy cabin and trunk, looks familiar, it may be because it was featured with an artist at last year's Southern Smoke Festival.

---

Lexus is a proud partner of Chris Shepherd and the VIP sponsor and Official Vehicle of the upcoming Southern Smoke Festival.

Chris Shepherd Southern Smoke
As Chris Shepherd says, Southern Smoke was created to "take care of our own." Photo courtesy of Southern Smoke
Read These Next
Gerald D Hines Barbara Hines Kensington Palace chandelier
Find treasures from Hines, Smith, and more icons at new estate sale
Blood bros. Luloo's all day Terry Wong Alyssa Dole Robin Wong Arash Kharat Quy Hoang
Blood Bros. recruit top talent for new all-day Garden Oaks restaurant
Texas Original medical cannabis
Here's how to get a prescription for medical cannabis in Texas
Gerald D Hines Barbara Hines Kensington Palace chandelier
Find treasures from Hines, Smith, and more icons at new estate sale
Blood bros. Luloo's all day Terry Wong Alyssa Dole Robin Wong Arash Kharat Quy Hoang
Blood Bros. recruit top talent for new all-day Garden Oaks restaurant
Texas Original medical cannabis
Here's how to get a prescription for medical cannabis in Texas
  • Latest News
  • Most Popular
  • Find treasures from Hines, Smith, and more icons at new estate sale
  • 5 Houston spas for that delish Hailey Bieber 'glazed donut' manicure
  • Blood Bros. recruit top talent for new all-day Garden Oaks restaurant
  • Here's how to get a prescription for medical cannabis in Texas
    - promoted -
  • Lili Reinhart leads dual lives in light and breezy Look Both Ways
See All Latest News >
  • Montrose Mexican staple plans new breakfast joint with caviar + coffee
  • Houston's Ho Family back for Season 2, inks exclusive real estate deal
  • Power couple behind Nobie's revive seafood-focused Montrose speakeasy
  • Ken Hoffman on why an Astros star's most heroic work is off the field
  • Comfort food restaurant FM Kitchen quietly closes Montrose location
Vote Now
Whats Eric Eating
8/12
Meet Eculent's mad scientist chef, plus more hot Houston food news
7/28
Riel talk about Montrose's award-winning restaurant, more food news
7/21
The dish on new Thai tapas, plus best Houston Restaurant Weeks hacks
Hoffman's Houston
8/15
Ken Hoffman on why an Astros star's most heroic work is off the field
8/9
Hoffman on the Houston stars dominating the Radio Hall of Fame awards
8/1
Hoffman's stone-cold prediction on the demise of a U.S. ice cream fave
Where to Eat Houston
6/23
Where to eat in Houston right now: 9 stupendous new restaurants
4/20
Where to eat in Houston: 9 new restaurants for steak, ramen, and more
3/21
Where to eat in Houston: 10 new restaurants from Wild fare to steaks
Home | About Us | News Tips & Suggestions | Submit An Event | Submit A Charity | Advertise | Media Sponsorship | Jobs | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy
© 2022 CultureMap LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Be A CultureMap Insider
Get Our Emails
Sign Up

We will not share or sell your email address

Newsletters for exploring your city

Thank you for signing up Please verify your e-mail by following the link we just sent you.
Look for an e-mail from CultureMap <info@culturemap.com>