Eat + Explore

Sip, sample, and savor your way through 40+ restaurants at new Sugar Land food fest

Imagine a food and beverage event that transports you to the hidden neighborhoods and winding streetscapes that only locals know about, where intoxicating aromas abound and once-in-a-lifetime experiences await.

At the inaugural Bazaar Food and Wine, happening at Sugar Land Town Square from 5-8 pm on Saturday, May 18, 2024, you can sample the cuisines, sights, and sounds of Latin America, India and Pakistan, Asia, North Africa and the Middle East, Europe, and — of course — Texas.

The first event of its kind in the greater Houston area, Bazaar is an ode to the city’s melting pot of flavors. It will shine a light on Houston’s multitude of cultures and wholly unique culinary traditions through food, drink, dance, music, fashion, and decor, all in one special night.

"I am very excited to be a part of Houston's newest food festival, from the looks of the lineup it seems like it's going to be a great event filled with so much talent," says Victoria Elizondo, owner and chef at Cochinita & Co. "Houston is such a cultural city filled with food from all parts of the world, and it seems like Bazaar will be a representation of it. Plus any excuse to hang out with my industry people is always welcomed."

But this is no ordinary foodie fest. Each "neighborhood" will host its own special entertainment, including performances by Dance Houston, music by Houston-native country artist Sheila Marshall, Ballet Folklorico performances, bachata dancers, classical Indian dance performances, African drummers, and Lee's Golden Dragon performing a lion and dragon dance to cap off the night.

"I’m looking forward to showcasing the diverse food that makes Houston’s food scene so great with Viet-Cajun cuisine," says Cory Nguyen, chef at Crawfish & Noodles.

“Bazaar Food and Wine will truly be a celebration of how fantastically diverse our city is," says Jess DeSham Timmons, founder and chef at Camellia Monday Hospitality. "I’m looking forward to showcasing our local farmers and makers with an offering that is quintessentially Texan. It doesn’t get more so than live fire and big beef! As chefs, it’s important that we are good stewards of the community we are surrounded by. I’m partnering with Red Field Ranch in Washington, Texas, to source the beef, and Pitts and Spitts in Houston and J&R Manufacturing in Mesquite are kindly providing some serious firepower. Being able to support the businesses that are part of what makes our industry great is one of the reasons I’m so in love with what I do.”

In partnership with the James Beard Foundation, Bazaar will feature an all-star lineup of Houston’s most prominent chefs, listed below by "neighborhood":

Latin

Victoria Elizondo, Cochinita & Co
Luis Robledo, Mayahuel & Tout Chocolat
Victoria Marini, The Original Marini's Empanada House
Martin Weaver, Mi Tierra
Cristina Benitez, Cafe Piquet
David Guerrero, Andes Café
Belen Baily, Sweets by Belen

Indian and Pakistani

Mayank Istwal, Musaafer
Dipak Aryal, Mahesh's Kitchen
Sunil Srivastava, Verandah
Kaiser Lashkari, Himalaya
Sharan Gahunia, Raja Sweets

Asian

Benchawan Painter, Street to Kitchen
Paul Qui, East Side King
Tom Cunanan, Hermies and Soy Pinoy
Cori Xiong, Mala Sichuan Bistro
Cory Nguyen, Crawfish & Noodles
Jennifer Hoffman, Big Macarons

African and Middle Eastern

Yotam Dolev, Hamsa
Haig Tcholakian, Phoenicia Specialty Foods
Khalieb Rufael & Yems Thomas, Spice Boyz Supper Club
Adeel Khan, Haraz Coffee House
Dawn Burrell

European

Pedro Garcia, El Meson
Shawn Gawle, Camaraderie
Mikael Palmer, Savior
Otto Sanchez, Magnol Bakery
Bruno Amato, BB Italia
Andrea de Gortari, The Bake Happening

Texan

Jess DeSham Timmons, Camellia Monday Hospitality
Kirthan and Kripa Shenoy, Auden
Kennis Williams, Williams Smokehouse
Joseph Quellar, JQ Tex Mex
Joe Cervante, Pier 6
Kathleen Morgan, Honeychild’s Sweet Cream
Alisher Yallaev, Prime131

"This event is providing an opportunity for people to experience the unique cultural diversity that our city offers all in one place,” says Cristina Benitez, owner of multi-generational restaurant Cafe Piquet Cuban Cuisine. "From incredible cuisines to unique music and entertainment from various regions, this is going to be an immersive celebration that a person simply couldn’t get without planning single excursions to each of these restaurants. The Bazaar is the place to be on May 18.”

General admission tickets are $150 and include unlimited food and drink from nearly 40 restaurants plus live entertainment performances.

VIP tickets are a mere $50 more ($200 each) and include early admission at 4 pm to get a head start on that unlimited food and drink. VIPs also get access to exclusive Bazaar Food and Wine merch. Head here to purchase tickets.

Bazaar Food and Wine is presented by presenting sponsor Momentum BMW and produced by Rebees Management Company. A portion of the event's proceeds will benefit the James Beard Foundation.

Photo courtesy of Sugar Land Town Square

There will be multiple James Beard Award-winning chefs like Paul Qui at the event.

festivals chefs promoted

paying it forward

Heights restaurant adds daytime coffee service with guest chef pop-ups

Courtesy of Jūn

Henry Lu and Evelyn Garcia are welcoming guest chefs to Jūn.

One of the most prominent restaurants in the Heights is adding daytime service — and using its success to promote the careers of up-and-coming chefs. Beginning this Monday, April 14, Jūn will be home to Third Place, a daytime coffee shop and cafe.

In addition to serving coffees and pastries made by the Jūn kitchen, Third Place will also have a rotating chef residency program where different cooks will serve a couple of items for lunch. First up is Jūn sous chef Julio Mendez, a Hugo Ortega alum who will be serving shakshuka with Mexican chorizo, farm egg, and baguette along with hash browns with sous vide egg, foam cheese, and ham.

After Mendez, Suu Khin, the Masterchef finalist and 2025 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards Best Pop-up winner, will take a turn in the kitchen. She’ll be followed by a number of the restaurant’s friends and colleagues, including Top Chef contestant Tristen Epps, Craft Pita owner Raffi Nasr, Nina Fonte of Aleng Nina's, and Tastemaker Awards nominee Gabe Medina, whose Subo pop-up is earning buzz for its creative Filipino fare.

For Jūn owners Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu, sharing Third Place with their colleagues is an extension of the kindness showed them during Jūn’s evolution from farmers market-based pop-up into a restaurant that’s a two-time James Beard Award semifinalist, including a nomination in 2025 for Best Chef: Texas.

“Time after time, people opened their doors and provided space to us, including our friends at Tenfold, Axelrad, Feel Good Group, Urban Harvest, Rice Village Farmer Market, Heights Mercantile Farmers Market, and countless others,” Lu said in response to CultureMap’s request for comment. “This is our small way of paying it forward — providing support, enriching our neighbors, and growing our community. The Chef Residency program embodies this, providing a space for entrepreneurs to grow and build their own communities.”

For its part, the Jūn kitchen will serve four pastries inspired by its signature blend of Mexican, Salavadoran, and Chinese flavors.They are:

Passion Fruit Tart with Torched Meringue
Chinese Sausage & Cheese Kolache
Cafe de Olla Cream Donut
Cream Cheese, Thai Basil and Heirloom Tomato Empanada

They’ll be paired with a full range of coffee and espresso beverages, teas, and a matcha latte. Specialty items will include an iced strawberry matcha, Salvadoran cold brew with peanut foam, matcha lemonade, and hojicha Arnold Palmer. Free wifi means remote workers will be able to complete their daily tasks while snacking.

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Third Place; 420 E. 20th St. Monday-Saturday, 8 am-3 pm.

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