News from My Table
Finalists Are Announced for the 2008 Houston Culinary Awards
Recognizing culinary professionals who exhibit high standards of hospitality and service and are likely to make an impact in years to come, the Houston Culinary Awards were founded by My Table magazine in 1997. This year’s event will mark our 12th anniversary of the awards. A total of 10 awards will be given. The evening will also honor wine guru Bear Dalton and benefit the Houston Food Bank’s Kids Cafe.
The Houston Culinary Awards gala dinner, which is set for Sunday, October 5, at Glass Wall, is completely sold out. However, if you are a nominee and do not have reservations for the dinner, you are invited for dessert, coffee and the awards ceremony. There is no charge for the “dessert-only” portion of the evening, but reservations are required. Please email culinaryawards@my-table.com.
Voting for the 2008 Houston Culinary Awards is now closed (as of August 31). Here are the finalists:
RESTAURATEUR OF THE YEAR
Bryan Caswell & Bill Floyd (Reef)
Lori & Efisio Farris (Arcodoro)
Vincent Mandola (Vincent’s, Nino’s, etc.)
Schiller-Del Grande (Cafe Annie, The Grove, etc.)
Marco Wiles (Da Marco, Dolce Vita)
CHEF OF THE YEAR
Bryan Caswell (Reef)
Olivier Ciesielski (Tony’s)
Charles Clark (Ibiza)
Chris Shepherd (Catalan)
Marco Wiles (Da Marco)
UP-AND-COMING CHEF OF THE YEAR
(age 35 or younger)
Jeff Axline, 31 (Olivette/The Houstonian)
Bradley Manchester, 32 (Monarch/Hotel ZaZa)
Wes Morton, 30 (*17/Alden Hotel)
Ryan Pera, 32 (The Grove)
Jose Luis Vela, 33 (Mockingbird Bistro)
OUTSTANDING WINE SERVICE
17/Alden Hotel
Backstreet Cafe
El Meson
Mockingbird Bistro
Reef
PASTRY CHEF OF THE YEAR
(includes breadmakers)
Laura Hamilton (Rainbow Lodge)
Pedro Chun (Trevísio)
Catherine Rodriguez (Olivette/The Houstonian)
Plinio Sandalio (formerly with Américas/The Woodlands)
Franck Tellier (Andre’s Pastry Shop)
OUTSTANDING BAR SERVICE
Gravitas
Mark’s American Cuisine
Mockingbird Bistro
Ra Sushi
Vic & Anthony’s
SERVICE PERSON OF THE YEAR
(includes dining room managers)
Hector Andrade (Mockingbird Bistro)
Kathryne Castellanos (Brennan’s)
Mary Donna Moceri (Grotto)
Dave Poss (Vic & Anthony’s)
Ludovic Poirier (17/Alden Hotel)
HOUSTON CLASSIC (a new category!)
(a restaurant in business for 10 or more years)
Brennan’s
Cafe Annie
Carrabba’s
Damian’s
Tony’s
BEST INTERIOR DESIGN
Américas (The Woodlands)
Cafe Le Jadeite
The Grove
Oceanaire Seafood Room
Tony’s
BEST NEW RESTAURANT
(must have opened since June 1, 2007)
Américas (The Woodlands)
Brasserie Max & Julie
Gigi’s Asian Bistro & Dumpling Bar
The Grove
Monarch/Hotel ZaZa
