one night only

Here's what 12 Houston chefs will serve at James Beard fall food event

Courtesy of Chopd & Stewd

The James Beard Foundation has partnered with one of Houston’s rising star chefs for a special one-night only event. ChòpnBlọk chef-owner Ope Amosu is leading the way at the foundation’s Taste Twenty event, which will take place at The Post Oak Hotel on Wednesday, October 8.

The walkaround tasting event will feature stations from 11 Houston chefs, almost all of whom have been either semifinalists or finalists for a James Beard Award. Other stations will feature drinks from the evening’s sponsors.

Here’s the night’s full menu:

Ope Amosu, ChòpnBlọk — African Palm Butter Chicken and Prawns with Liberian Greens and Plantain-Potato Mash.
Emmanuel Chavez, Tatemó — Tuna Tiradito with Leche de Tigre and Masa Cracker.
Victoria Elizondo, Cochinita & Co. — Flan de Maracuyá y Coco: Coconut-Vanilla Bean Flan with Passion Fruit Coulis, Caramelized Pineapple, and Salted Coconut.
Tristen Epps-Long, Buboy — Baobab Ice Cream with Peach-Fig Jam, Fig Leaf Oil, and Toasted Almond Salt.
Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu, Jūn — Pork Meatball with Peanut Curry, Pickles, and Cilantro.
Suu Khin, Burmalicious — Laphet Htamin: Fermented Tea Leaf Rice Salad with Caramelized Pork Belly and Peanut-Sesame Crunch.
Vanarin Kuch, Koffeteria — Pad Thai–Oatmeal Fluffernutter.
Flo Polanco, Flor y Miel — Pargo en Salsa de Coco: Seared Red Snapper with Cilantro, Peppers, Garlic, and Golden Tostón in Coconut Milk Sauce.
Felipe Riccio, March — Lamb Kibbeh Nayeh with Tabbouleh.
David Skinner, Ishtia — Itek Tuchina Three Sisters: Salmon with Squash, Corn, and Beans.
Michelle Wallace, B’tween Sandwich Co. — Smoked Pastrami Beef Rib on Rye Biscuit.

“I’m grateful and humbled to serve as the host for the James Beard Foundation’s Taste America Houston event and cook alongside a top-tier chef lineup that exemplifies why our city is truly a one-of-one," Amosu said in a statement. "Southwest Houston raised me since I was 3 years old, and I’m ready to play my part and show out for ‘us!’ I’m proud to showcase the dynamic flavors, my West African heritage, and the community influences that fuel ChòpnBlọk while shining a spotlight on the city that shaped me. This year’s lineup is a true taste of Houston — bold, diverse, vibrant, authentic and genuinely comforting. It’s absolutely unlike anywhere else. Come and find out!”

Amosu is part of the foundation’s current TasteTwenty class. Held annually, the program identifies chefs to watch who have shown culinary talent and leadership.

Tickets are priced at $175 for general admission and $225 for premier access that includes entering one hour earlier. Proceeds from the event benefit the foundation’s mission to champion a more sustainable, equitable, and thriving future for independent restaurants and the broader food system. Get more details at jamesbeard.org.

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lumpia lost

Guy Fieri-loved Filipino restaurant closes in the Heights after 6 years

Courtesy of Be More Pacific

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A pioneering Houston Filipino restaurant has served its last meal. Be More Pacific is closed as of Tuesday, March 31, the restaurant announced on Instagram.

The note traces the restaurant’s evolution from an Austin food truck to an Austin restaurant and eventually to a Houston location.

“To our guests, friends, and community — thank you. Thank you for the support, the Kamayan feasts, the celebrations, the halo-halo summers, the karaoke parties, and for letting us share a piece of our culture with you,” the note reads in part. “You helped make Filipino food part of the conversation, and we’re incredibly proud of that.”

The Houston location opened in 2020. It distinguished itself with its stylish layout that includes an indoor-outdoor bar, a spacious patio, and karaoke rooms. At the time, founders Giovan Cuchapin and Mark Pascual teamed up with Houston hospitality veteran Roveen Abante (Conservatory Gallery, among others) to bring the Houston location to life. Abante referred all questions about the closure to Cuchapin, who has yet to respond to CultureMap’s request for comment.

When it opened, the restaurant quickly earned a following for its flavorful Filipino fare, including signature items such as lumpia, garlic fried rice, and chicken adobo. Groups could order a kamaya feast built around proteins such as roast pork or whole snapper.

Guy Fieri featured Be More Pacific on a 2021 episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. In this clip, he samples the restaurant’s kare kare, a curry made with brisket.

Be More Pacific was among the first ambitious Asian restaurants to open in the Heights. While it may have closed, its legacy lives on with concepts such as JŪN and Agnes and Sherman, both of which earned finalist nominations in the 2026 James Beard Awards.

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