News from My Table
Finalists Are Announced for the 2009 Houston Culinary Awards
The Houston Culinary Awards were founded by My Table magazine in 1997. This year’s event—set for Sunday, October 4, at Reef Restaurant—will mark our 13th celebration of the awards. A total of 10 awards will be given.
Online voting for the 2009 Houston Culinary Awards begins August 1. In the meantime, here is the slate of finalists for your consideration. It might be fun to go try a few of the finalists that you don’t already know!
(Note: Tickets for the Houston Culinary Awards dinner are $100 each and go on sale July 15. Details to come.)
RESTAURATEUR OF THE YEAR
Benjy Levit (Benjy’s)
Chris Paul (Cafe Rabelais, Brasserie Max & Julie)
James Silk, Meagan Silk & Richard Knight (Feast)
Scott Tycer (Gravitas, Textile)
Marco Wiles (Da Marco, Dolce Vita, Poscol)
CHEF OF THE YEAR
Mark Cox (Mark’s American Cuisine)
Monica Pope (T’afia)
Chris Shepherd (Catalan)
James Silk & Richard Knight (Feast)
Marco Wiles (Da Marco)
UP-AND-COMING CHEF OF THE YEAR
(age 35 or younger)
Dax McAnear, 32 (Textile)
Ryan Pera, 33 (The Grove)
Mike Potowski, 34 (Benjy’s on Washington)
Randy Rucker, 29 (Rainbow Lodge)
Jose Luis Vela, 34 (Mockingbird Bistro)
OUTSTANDING WINE SERVICE
Backstreet Cafe
El Meson
Mockingbird Bistro
The Tasting Room
Truluck’s Steak & Stone Crab
PASTRY CHEF OF THE YEAR
(includes breadmakers)
Scott Kelly (Kiran’s)
Katie Leggett (Andre’s)
Crave Cupcakes
Plinio Sandalio (Textile)
Scott Tycer (Kraftsmen Baking)
OUTSTANDING BAR SERVICE
Anvil
Beaver’s
Mockingbird Bistro
Red Lion
Tony’s
SERVICE PERSON OF THE YEAR
(includes dining room managers)
Hector Andrade (Mockingbird Bistro)
Brandon Busch (La Griglia)
Sean Beck (Backstreet Cafe, Hugo’s)
Matthew Pridgen (Catalan)
Mark (“Bubba”) St. Cyr (Carrabba’s)
HOUSTON CLASSIC
(a restaurant in business for 10 or more years)
Backstreet Cafe
Goode Co. Barbeque
Ninfa’s on Navigation
Ouisie’s Table
Tony’s
BEST INTERIOR DESIGN
Americas (The Woodlands)
Gigi’s
Mark’s American Cuisine
Tony’s
Uptown Sushi
BEST NEW RESTAURANT
(must have opened since June 1, 2008)
Bedford
Benjy’s on Washington
Chez Roux (at La Torretta del Lago, Conroe)
Poscol Vinoteca e Salumeria
Textile
Many thanks to our wonderful 2009 Houston Culinary Awards sponsors: Republic National Distributing Co., Central Market, Sysco, Schepps Dairy, A La Carte Foodservice Consulting Group, Reef restaurant, the Grand Wine & Food Affair, Winn Meat Co. and the Greater Houston Restaurant Association.
