Way to go, Whataburger

Texas favorite Whataburger honors teachers with free breakfast

Whataburger honey butter chicken biscuit

Nothing says 'thank you' like a free Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit.

Photo courtesy of Whataburger

Texas burger chain Whataburger is honoring the heroes of education with free food and some possible funds. During National Teacher Appreciation Week, the brand is rewarding the hard work of all school employees across its 15-state footprint with free breakfast and the chance to earn a grand for their school.

According to a release, teachers can show their school ID on May 6-10 from 5-9 am and score the following:

A free Taquito, Breakfast on a Bun, or Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit
A WhataTeacher lanyard

In addition, 63 teachers will be selected to receive a $1,000 grant for their school, for a total of $63,000 in grant funds.

“Teachers are true heroes,” Whataburger executive Donna Tuttle said in a statement. “Many of us still remember our favorite teacher and the impact they made on our lives. Whataburger’s free breakfast offer and WhataTeacher grants are just small ways we try to say thank you for their powerful work.”

The grants are part of Whataburger’s Feeding Student Success program, which focuses on charitable giving at the intersection of food insecurity and education.

The program’s initiatives also include seven Whataburger Resource Rooms on college campuses, the Whataburger Feeding Student Success Scholarship, and partnering with local schools on education and hunger awareness programs.

“Offering free breakfast during National Teacher Appreciation Week is just one small way we’re trying to make every school employee’s day a little brighter,” Whataburger CMO Scott Hudler said. “Our hope is that the 63 grants being awarded will provide teachers with additional resources they need and show a bit of gratitude for their hard work and dedication all year.”

Any school employee who shows their ID badge during Teacher Appreciation Week can redeem this deal whether they dine-in or drive-thru.The promotion will be available system-wide.

education news-you-can-eat

Wine-obsessed Houston restaurateur honors Napa with new Montrose eatery

Succulent Fine Dining exterior rendering

Courtesy of Succulent Fine Dining

Succulent Fine Dining will occupy the former Pastore space.

Houston’s most champagne-obsessed restaurateur is bringing another wine-focused concept to Montrose. A’Bouzy owner Shawn Virene is opening Succulent Fine Dining this spring.

Located in the former Pastore space in the Regent Square mixed-use development, Succulent takes its inspiration from California’s Napa Valley. The restaurant will source much of its produce from the West Coast as well as local farms, paired with a wine list focused on Californian vintages.

To execute the restaurant’s ingredient-driven, seasonally-inspired dishes, Virene has recruited California native David Buckley to serve as executive chef. The chef’s resume includes hotels and restaurants in California and Hawaii, as well as The Woodlands Resort and The Westin at The Woodlands.

Plans call for a comprehensive set of renovations to the short-lived Italian restaurant. In particular, Virene plans to make the second-floor patio a destination, with private greenhouses, pergolas, and shade trees that are designed to provide all-weather utility. Other changes include the installation of a chef’s table with a view of the kitchen and a private dining room.

Just like a’Bouzy, Succulent will be open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. Its to-go options will include picnic baskets that may be consumed at Regent Square’s green space.

“My dream is to create a space where fine dining feels approachable and engaging, bringing the essence of vineyard dining to Houston,” Virene said in a statement. “The menu will highlight the best local and West Coast ingredients while embracing the tranquility of nature. This vision is deeply personal to me — gardening and fishing are hobbies that inspire me and allow me to escape from the day-to-day. That’s how I recharge, and Succulent will allow me to share that with my guests.”

Virene opened a’Bouzy in 2017 after a successful stint as Brasserie 19’s general manager. The restaurant is known for its extensive champagne list, which features more than 250 selections, as well as its expansive outdoor patio and see-and-be-seen crowd.

news-you-can-eat openings succulent fine dining