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Two of America's hottest chefs pick Houston over New York: Behind the scenes atPass & Provisions

It's possible that when we look back at the transformation of Houston's food scene into a world-class culinary mecca, the tipping point will be the arrival of the Just August Project.

In a city bursting with local talent — chefs with degrees from the Culinary Institute of America and Le Cordon Bleu and stints working under famous names like Thomas Keller and Jean-Georges Vongerichten — Seth Siegel-Gardner and Terrence Gallivan have resumes that stand out.

The pair met on their first day in the kitchen of Gordon Ramsay's eponymous restaurant at The London in New York and both consider internationally renowned chef Marcus Samuelsson a mentor. (Siegel-Gardner worked for him at Aquavit and helped open C-House in Chicago; Gallivan was at New York's August.)

Forget the hot summers: Hometown roots, a community of like-minded chefs and non-astronomical operating costs convinced the duo to make Houston their launching pad.

With Just August Project, a 30-day pop-up restaurant inside BYOB spot Just Dinner, Houston native Siegel-Gardner and reluctant visitor Gallivan (plus Justin Yu, who has gone on to open his own hotspot in Oxheart) found a rabidly receptive foodie community — one that sold out every table for the entire month — and friendship and guidance from culinary players like Chris Shepherd.

Forget the hot summers: The pull of hometown roots, a community of like-minded chefs and non-astronomical operating costs convinced the duo to make Houston — not New York — their launching pad.

Just over two years later, they've opened The Pass & Provisions in the former Gravitas space to huge excitement. Technically, they've only opened half of it: Provisions, the casual side, serves gourmet pizzas, pastas, entrees, bread pairings and more. The Pass, opening in a couple of months, will offer a prix fixe menu of the sort of intellectual offerings that Siegel-Gardner and Gallivan have become known for with their Pilot Light dinners and a stunning preview with Samuelsson himself.

Check out the video above for the story of Gallivan and Siegel-Gardner's unique partnership, their journey to opening The Pass & Provisions and a behind-the-scenes look at a few signature dishes.

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cheers to that

Texas bourbon named one of 2024's top 10 whiskies

Still Austin Whiskey Co. Red Corn Bourbon Whiskey

Still Austin Whiskey Co./Facebook

Now if only we could snag a bottle...as a Christmas gift, of course.

Three cheers for Still Austin Whiskey Co.! The distillery's Bottled in Bond Red Corn Bourbon Whiskey was recognized as one of Whisky Advocate'sTop 20 Most Exciting Whiskies of 2024.

Every year, Whisky Advocate's expert panelists rank hundreds of whiskies based on their quality, availability, value for the price, and "X-factor," meaning an excitement-inducing component like a unique flavor or an innovative idea. An international panel also reviews contenders through several blind taste tests without knowing each whisky's producer, origin, age, or price.

The magazine ranked Still Austin's five-year Red Corn Bourbon No. 7 on the list with a prestigious score of 94 points. The Red Corn whiskey, which was released in June 2024, has mash bill consisting of 36 percent Jimmy Red corn, 34 percent white corn, 25 percent rye, and 5 percent barley.

According to panelist Shane English, tasting notes start big and bold with cracked pepper, dusty leather, and cocktail cherries, before moving on to a palate of chile pepper, caramel, and buttery cornbread.

"Each sip is electric — the pepper gives this whiskey a zing balanced by poundcake and glazed doughnuts," English said. "Charred oak fades to chocolate, coffee, and pecan pie on the finish."

Still Austin had the only Texas product on the list, which was fitting given the brand's recent boasting that it could match any Kentucky Bourbon. As a game day stunt when the Texas Longhorns played the Kentucky Wildcats in November, Still Austin refilled empty Kentucky Bourbon bottles with its own Cask Strength Bourbon for just $1.

When the brand isn't playfully antagonizing Kentucky fans, its Red Corn Bourbon sells for a retail price of $85 per 750-milliliter bottle, falling nearly in the middle of the price category out of all 20 bourbons on the list, with eight others priced for less.

For additional context, none of the top five bourbons fall under a $100 price tag. In fact, the most expensive bottle on the 2024 list is the Angel's Envy 2023 Cask Strength Port Wine Barrel Finished Bourbon, which ranked No. 12 and retails for $230 per bottle.

"Our top 20 whiskies represent a curated collection that deserves your attention. Each whisky on the list stands out for its superb taste, representing the pinnacle of a year filled with remarkable tastings," said executive editor David Fleming in a release. "This list features whiskies offering exceptional value, leaders in their respective styles, and superbly made expressions that are well worth seeking out."

Whiskey Advocate's 2024 Whiskey of the Year is Laphroaig Elements 2.0 Cask Strength Scotch Single Malt, which earned 95 points and retails for $165 a bottle.

whiskey bourbon distilleries awards lists

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