Ah, the grazing fields and watering holes of Tastemakers. Twelve chef-driven food stations, a Whole Foods cheese extravaganza, six bars, sleek Jaguars on display and generous pours from Herradura tequila and Emilio Moro wines — Wednesday night's food and drink fest rocked Silver Street Studios with a sellout crowd of more than 600.
The CultureMap event saluted H-Town's winning mixologists and chefs, presenting awards in nine categories including Best New Restaurant to Prohibition Supperclub & Bar, which was selected in online voting by CultureMap readers.
Foodies reveled in the offerings that included Mascalzone's prime rib porcini wrap and halibut ceviche, the latter so popular that guests had consumed it all well before night's end. Bernie's Burger Bus provided sliders and Dosi dished up Korean smoked brisket street dumplings, while H-E-B's Table 57 rocked the food scene with its amazing ribs. Common Bond and Tout Suite (finalist for best new restaurant) dispensed the sweet treats.
Houston newcomer Zifty.com provided food and drink delivery service from the various stations to those who bought premium tickets for the select seating and service in the VIP lounge. Entertainment across the vast space included artists from the Washington Avenue Arts District, who created original works as the throng partied around them, and the ever-popular Smilebooth. And of course, there were those two Jags from Jaguar Houston Central to put on our wish list.
As much as it is an eat, drink and be merry evening, Tastemakers provide foodies the opportunity to rub elbows with some of the city's top toque talents.
As much as it is an eat, drink and be merry evening, Tastemakers provides foodies the opportunity to rub elbows with some of the city's top toque talents and restaurateurs. Among those making the rounds were Brennan's chef Danny Trace and GM Carl Walker, Weights + Measures' Richard Kaplan, Table 57's Randy Evans, Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette's Travis Lenig, Pax Americana owner Shepard Ross, cookbook author Erin Hicks, La Colombe d'Or's Dan Zimmerman and many more.
Loved the celeb mixologists who rotated through the Bartender of the Year Showcase Bar. Each created an original cocktail employing Herradura as the fiery ingredient. Muchas gracias Richard Middleton, Leslie Ross, Brandon Ricks, Alexander Gregg, Laurie Sheddan Harvey and Bartender of the Year Lainey Collum.
When they weren't sampling the creative cocktails or margaritas, guests could quash their thirst with brewskies from Alaskan Brewing Company and Odell Brewing Company.
As the party close approached, organizers opened the trunk of the Jaguar sedan and filled it with boxes of Tiff's Treats, fresh from the oven, a sweet close to a delicious night.
The party crowd included Lisa Gochman, Candice and Lonnie Schiller, Tessa Trace, Jessica and Bobby Matos, Chris Cusack, Abby and Reed Shilger, Holly McAllister, Oana Borcoman, Tiffany Hallick, Trevor Thompson, Emily Shuffield, Paul Fulcher, Rachel Ebersole, Alex Gregg, Tuyet Pham, Vassaly Sivanthaphanith, Martin Weaver and Nguyet Nguyen.
Heather Mellinger, from left, Melissa Cox and Jennifer Jamali.
