A sold-out crowd filled Silver Street Studios on March 27 for the 2024 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards. Held annually since 2014, the ceremony recognizes the best of the best in Houston’s culinary scene.

The awards ceremony is the culmination of a months-long process of selecting nominees and featuring them in a special editorial series. It draws a who’s-who of chefs, bartenders, restaurateurs, and other notables who gather to celebrate Houston’s dynamic culinary scene.

The night means so much to the food community that Aaron Bludorn snuck away from a preview night at newly opened Bar Bludorn to attend the awards ceremony. Local media personality Katherine Whaley served as the night’s emcee.

This year’s Tastemaker Awards benefited the Southern Smoke Foundation, which was founded in 2015 to offer emergency relief funding and access to mental health services to members of the food and beverage industry. Through the popular Southern Smoke Festival and other events, the organization has provided more than $11.5 million in grants to food and beverage workers in need.

Special thanks to this year’s sponsors for making the night such as success. They include Stella Artois, Rías Baixas Albariño, Topo Chico Sparkling Mineral Water, 8th Wonder Cannabis, Tito's Vodka, Still Austin Whiskey Co., and CASE Chocolates.

A plethora of nominees served delectable dishes at the event. They included:

• Achappam, a rose cookie with roasted pepper, guava, avocado by Musaafer
• Chocolate cake by Auden
• Fried chicken biscuit by Saint Arnold Brewing Company
• Burmese coconut cream soup by Burmalicious by Suu
• Pomegranate short rib by Rumi’s Kitchen
• Scallion and herb crochette by Mimo
• Crispy oysters with vinaigrette by Balboa Surf Club
• Ceviche Nikkei tuna by Pacha Nikkei
• Frozen lemon meringue pie by Fluff Bake Bar
• Mini totopos by Cochinita & co.
• Tuna tartare by Goodnight Hospitality, previewing its upcoming restaurant The Marigold Club
• Khao Yum Naam Tod (crispy, spicy rice ball with fermented pork) by Street to Kitchen
• Oyster mushroom pita sandwiches by Hamsa
• Fried nori chips with tuna by Hando
• Key lime doughnuts from Josephine’s Gulf Coast Tradition
• Chilled crab salad from Little’s Oyster Bar
• Turbot con caviar from MAD
• Seafood escabeche from Ostia
• Duck liver mousse with strawberry jam on a funnel cake from Nobie’s
• Potato puree with poached shrimp and avocado from Navy Blue

  

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Lindsay Beale, Robin Berwick, Vivian Leba, and Cindy Wang.

After a brief introduction, Whaley gave out the night’s awards, including the prizes for Bar of the Year, Rising Star Chef of the Year, Wine Program of the Year, and Best Patio, this year’s wildcard category. Winners were chosen by a judges panel of restaurant industry experts — except Best New Restaurant, which was voted on by CultureMap readers.

Winners accepted gorgeous glass trophies onstage and posed for pictures. Get the full list of winners here.

Since its launch in 2014, our Tastemaker Awards have been the city’s defining food event where A-list dining names mix with passionate dining fans. The electric crowd and elated participants made 2024 the best year yet.

Our hearty congratulations to the winners and our thanks to the sponsors, participants, and attendees. Scroll through the above photos to relive the night, and we’ll see you next year.