Texas’ Best Restaurants and Bars Applauded at 2024 Tastemaker Awards

San Antonio:

May 17, 2024 | 2:51 pm: Champagne corks popped, cheers erupted and congratulations resounded throughout Texas as the winners of the 2024 Tastemaker Awards were unveiled. The Tastemaker Awards, an annual celebration of the state’s finest restaurants and bars, brought together the culinary community from all over Texas to honour excellence in their field. From sold-out events in Houston to grand celebrations in San Antonio, Austin, Fort Worth, and Dallas, each fiesta was filled with food, drink, and plenty of excitement.

Our celebratory journey began on March 27 at Houston’s Silver Street Studios, then moved south to San Antonio’s Briscoe Museum on April 4. Central Texas hosted at Austin’s Distribution Hall on April 11, before heading north to Fort Worth for its biggest celebration yet on May 2. The roadshow concluded in Dallas at the Fashion Industry Gallery on May 16.

The Tastemaker Awards

The Tastemaker Awards celebrates Texas’s most innovative culinary pioneers, honouring them through gastronomic events where nominated chefs and restaurants showcase their talents to guests. Of course, no culinary celebration would be complete without a variety of delicious hors d’oeuvres, creative cocktails, and refreshing drinks for guests to enjoy.

While most winners are decided upon by a panel of judges consisting of previous Tastemaker winners and CultureMap staff, the Best New Restaurant award is determined by the public through an online bracket-style tournament. Notably, a new category was introduced this year: the Best Patio competition.

The Winners

San Antonio:

• Restaurant of the Year: Leche de Tigre
• Chef of the Year: Nicola Blaque, The Jerk Shack
• Best New Restaurant: Thai Bird
• Bar of the Year: Bar Loretta
• Brewery of the Year: Weathered Souls Brewing Co.
• Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: Clementine
• Pastry Chef of the Year: Jenn Riesman, Rooster Crow Bakery
• Best Patio: The Good Kind Southtown

And the list goes on for Houston, Austin, Fort Worth, and Dallas. At each stop, the best talents in the culinary and hospitality industry were honoured, signifying that even in a year beset by challenges, the enduring spirit of gastronomic creativity and innovation unceasingly thrives across Texas.

The Significance

The Tastemaker Awards are more than just an event; they are a testament of the unique culinary prowess exhibited throughout Texas. They are an annual reminder of the state’s culinary strength and the incredible resilience of its restaurateurs, chefs, and culinary professionals. By honouring these individuals, each event reignites passion and sparks inspiration, driving the industry towards continued growth and greater heights.

The Aftermath

With the conclusion of the 2024 Tastemaker Awards, we can look back on the camaraderie and festivity shared by all. As we venture further into the year, anticipation is already brewing for the culinary spectacle that will unfold in 2025. Until then, let us savour the flavours and achievements that this year’s Tastemaker Awards has brought to the table. Here’s to another successful event and the exceptional talent it celebrated.