Taste America: Houston
Presented by American Express and Resy
Thu, November 12, 2026
Premier 6:00 PM
General 7:00 PM
Thompson Houston
1717 Allen Parkway
Houston, TX 77019
Premier
$225
General
$175
A national tasting event celebrating the chefs and restaurants making a difference in both the culinary industry and communities across the country.
The James Beard Foundation’s Taste America® presented by American Express and Resy brings together chefs, special guests, and diners from across the country to celebrate the local independent restaurants at the heart of our communities. A cohort of chefs, representing 20 markets across the country and known as the TasteTwenty, will host dinners and walk-around tastings spotlighting the breadth and unity of culinary creativity nationwide.
The walk-around tasting at Thompson Houston will be an exciting gathering of chefs from the Houston culinary community, with food stations hosted by TasteTwenty chefs and James Beard Award winners Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu of James Beard Award semifinalist® JŪN and Third Place, and many other local notable chefs. Each station will reflect the chef’s signature style and highlight the uniqueness of their restaurant and community. The tasting will also have beverage stations and other activations from our national and local sponsors.
FOOD STATIONS BY:
TasteTwenty Host Chefs
James Beard Award Winners
Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu
James Beard Award Semifinalist®
JŪN
and Third Place
Houston, TX
James Beard Award Semifinalist®
Aaron Bludorn
James Beard Award Semifinalist®
Bludorn
Houston, TX
James Beard Award Semifinalist®
Tristen Epps-Long
Buboy
Houston, TX
Christian Hernandez
Barbacana
Houston, TX
James Beard Award Semifinalist®
Suu Khin
Burmalicious
Houston, TX
James Beard Award Winner®
Hugo Ortega
and Paula Gutierrez
Zaranda
Houston, TX
James Beard Award Winner®
Benchawan Jabthong Painter
Street to Kitchen
Houston, TX
James Beard Award Semifinalist®
Felipe Riccio
James Beard Award Nominee®
MARCH
and Goodnight Hospitality
Houston, TX
James Beard Award Semifinalist®
Stephanie Velasquez
and Nicolas Vera
James Beard Award Nominee®
CasaEma
Houston, TX
TasteTwenty Alum
Michelle Wallace
b’tween sandwich co.
Houston, TX
Beverage Stations From:
Mijenta Tequila
Additional Bites From:
Plugrà
Who's Cooking
TasteTwenty Host Chefs: James Beard Award Winners Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu (Photo: JAI Media)
James Beard Award Semifinalist® Tristen Epps-Long (Photo: Arturo Olmos)
Suu Khin (Photo: Michael Ma)
James Beard Award Winner® Hugo Ortega (Photo: Nick de la Torre)
Paula Gutierrez (Photo: Nick de la Torre)
James Beard Award Winner® Benchawan Jabthong Painter (Photo: Michael Ma)
James Beard Award Semifinalist® Felipe Riccio (Photo: Zach Horst)
James Beard Award Semifinalist® Stephanie Velasquez
Nicolas Vera (Photo: Will Blunt)
Menu
Coming soon!
Additional Information
Reservation Policy: All reservations are non-refundable and must be made in advance. Should the event be cancelled due to any unforeseen circumstances, the James Beard Foundation will offer options including ticket exchanges, use of tickets for future events, and donating tickets. For more information, contact jbftaste@bowenandco.com.
Local Event Production: Giant Noise / Planned With
Terms
Food and beverage offerings are subject to change. Guests must be 21 years+ with a valid ID to attend the event.
Presenting Sponsor
Premier Sponsor
Supporting Sponsor
Patron Sponsors
Additional Support Sponsors
