will he win?

Houston chef celebrates Food Network debut with epic watch party

Chef Rafael Nasr took on Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli

Photo by Rebekah Flores

A Houston chef is celebrating his reality TV debut with an epic watch party, and you're invited. Raffi Nasr, the chef and co-owner of Craft Pita, will welcome friends and supporters to join him as he takes on an Iron Chef.

Nasr will appear on the Sunday, August 11 episode of Food Network competition show Alex vs. America. In the episode, Nasr is one of three chefs taking on Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli in a battle of Mediterranean flavors. (Update: This event has been rescheduled for August 18.)

Similar in style to Beat Bobby Flay, Alex vs. America is a two-round cooking competition show in which Guarnaschelli competes against three chefs. Critically, none of the chefs, including Guarnaschelli, know the theme or key ingredients of each round until they’re decided upon just before it begins.

A two-judge panel tastes the dishes blind and picks a winner — which, more often than not, is Guarnaschelli. If the judges like a competitor’s dish more than Guarnaschelli’s, they win $10,000. If both chefs beat Guarnaschelli, the second-place chef wins $5,000. Former Top Chef contestant Eric Adjepong hosts.

Nasr brings some considerable cred to the competition. Craft Pita, the casual Mediterranean restaurant he opened in 2019, won Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year in the 2023 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards.

“It is an absolute honor to represent Houston, Texas, and Lebanese cuisine on a national stage," Nasr said in a statement. “When I found out they wanted me to compete in a Mediterranean episode, the competitor in me got fired up.”

Nasr is hosting a watch party at Craft Pita’s West U. location. Held on Sunday, August 11 at 7:30 pm, the party will feature the two dishes Nasr made on the show — Grilled Shrimp Kabob with Fattoush Salad and Lebanese Bolognese. Tickets, $50, are available via the Craft Pita website.

Those who can’t attend the party can watch the episode at 8 pm on the Food Network. It will also be available on the MAX streaming platform. The dishes will be available for a limited time at Craft Pita West U.

“I don’t see Levantine chefs represented in food media too often, so this was another reason I was excited to participate,” he added. “My generation also grew up watching Food Network, so being able to compete against an Iron Chef was a big deal to me personally. I cannot wait for everyone to see the episode.”

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crudo and cocktails

Casual sushi hand roll restaurant sets Heights opening date

Photo by Becca Wright

Koyo will celebrate its grand opening on July 16.

A Houston hand roll restaurant will soon open in the Heights. Koyo Hand Roll Bar will celebrate its grand opening on Thursday, July 16.

Located next to the recently opened Paris Baguette at 1835 N. Shepherd Dr., Koyo is built around a 26-seat counter that allows diners to receive their hand rolls as soon as they’ve been assembled, ensuring its nori wrapper is still crispy when consumed.

Similar to other hand roll restaurants, Koyo offers a range of fillings, including vegetables, fish, and shellfish. Specific rolls include asparagus, shiitake, tuna, salmon, yellowtail, and lobster. They’re available either a la carte or in sets of three, four, or five rolls that feature the restaurant’s most popular proteins.

Appetizer options consist of edamame and four crudos — salmon, scallop, tuna, or yellowtail. Beverage options include beer, sake, cocktails, Japanese whisky, and non-alcoholic options.

Koyo opened its first location last summer near the Johnson Space Center (18207B Egret Bay Blvd.). The restaurant will celebrate its grand opening with giveaways, including tote bags for the first 100 customers and three $100 gift cards. It’s also giving away a free three roll set for a year and more gift certificates on Instagram.

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“We’re excited to bring KOYO Hand Roll Bar to one of Houston’s most dynamic dining neighborhoods,” operating partner Adela Merdini said in a statement. “Our new location carries forward everything guests love about Koyo, from the freshest ingredients and thoughtfully crafted hand rolls to the warm, genuine hospitality that defines every visit.”

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