culinary mastery

Oscars of the food world recognize San Antonio chefs and restaurants with 8 semifinalist nominations

Mixtli gives a stirkingly contemporary twist to ancient Mexican cooking.

Photo courtesy of Mixtli

The James Beard Awards have returned. After a two-year hiatus, the James Beard Foundation revealed its semifinalists for its 2022 Restaurant and Chef Awards.

Considered the Oscars of the food world, the awards recognize outstanding chefs and other culinary professionals in a wide range of categories ranging from Outstanding Chef to Best New Restaurant and a range of media categories. This year will be the first time the foundation has given an award for Best Chef: Texas, which it created after the 2019 awards to recognize the state’s diverse collection of talent.

San Antonio restaurants and bars are well-represented among both the national and regional awards. Overall, the city earned four national nominations and four nominations for Best Chef: Texas.

They are:

Outstanding Restaurant: Mixtli
Outstanding Pastry Chef: Sofia Tejeda, Mixtli
Outstanding Baker: David Cáceres, La Panadería
Outstanding Wine Program: High Street Wine Co.

Best Chef: Texas nominees:

Steve McHugh, Cured
Esaul Ramos Jr., 2M Smokehouse
John Russ, Clementine
Ernest Servantes and David Kirkland, Burnt Bean Co., Seguin

Elsewhere in Texas, Houston earned five national nominations and seven nominations for Best Chef: Texas. Dallas-Fort Worth garnered five national and five Best Chef: Texas nominations. Austin trailed with two national nods, both for Emerging Chef, and two Best Chef: Texas nominees.

Barbecue pitmasters faired well in the Texas category. In addition to Esaul Ramos Jr. (2M Smokehouse in San Antonio), Ernest Servantes and David Kirkland (Burnt Bean Co. in Seguin), Quy Hoang (Blood Bros. BBQ in Houston), and Damien Brockway (Distant Relatives in Austin) all lead barbecue joints that were named to Texas Monthly’s recent 50 best list.

Including pitmasters reflects the foundation’s goal to broaden the types of chefs and restaurants that it considers for its awards. After the foundation canceled its 2020 awards, the New York Timesreported that none of 2020’s Black nominees won their categories. The organization also faced criticism that it nominated people accused of unethical behavior.

After an audit, the foundation overhauled the awards process. Nominees must now provide an alignment statement that demonstrates their support for at least one of the foundation’s stated values of equity, transparency, respect, integrity, community, and passion. In addition, the foundation changed eligibility requirements for voting. Whether these changes are enough to satisfy critics remains to be seen.

The James Beard Foundation will announce the finalists for its restaurant and chef awards as well as the honorees for the Leadership, Lifetime Achievement Award, and Humanitarian of the Year Awards on March 16. Media award finalists will be revealed on April 27. Winners will be awarded in Chicago on June 13.

Mixtli.

Photo courtesy of Mixtli

Mixtli.

chefs bests awards

Happy holidays, coffee fans

San Antonio Coffee Festival warms up holiday season downtown

San Antonio Coffee Festivalhttps://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/418538503_698771012366670_1230759819756365847_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=Uoc77673aIEQ7kNvgEb4TZX&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&_nc_gid=Am_nBDMhlle5uFGfYZ8w4HU&oh=00_AYA1j-biDLg7GJEpCUarKSgsj__NXTJFwkeeobli2btPEg&oe=673AEFA8

A holiday-themed edition of the annual San Antonio Coffee Festival will be held the night of Dec. 7 in the Houston Street entertainment district.

There's lots of holiday revelry going on in San Antonio this December, but one event in particular will capture the attention of coffee-lovers. A holiday version of the San Antonio Coffee Festival will take place December 7 on Houston Street, amid the holiday lights and other seasonal festivities happening downtown.

Guests can walk along Houston Street, between the Alameda Theater and the Frost Bank Tower, and sample a curated collection of seasonal drinks from vendors such as Hernán, Dos Perros Coffee, and Pulp Coffee Roasters.

Aside from varieties of coffee, festival participants will offer beverages such as Mexican hot chocolate, holiday-inspired cocktails, and teas. Attendees can also enjoy treats from local ventures such as La Panadería, The Beignet Stand, Renee’s Fine Chocolates, and Amor Bandido.

Additionally, visitors at the festival can check out live music at the Etta Mobile Music Venue, and browse gifts made by local artisans at a market hosted by SA Local Market. Event tickets include a commemorative holiday mug and beverage sample tickets.

John Jacks, director of the city’s Center City Development and Operations department, said the San Antonio Coffee Festival is a welcome addition to the city’s planned Holidays on Houston Street slate of themed activities.

The coffee festival has previously been held at other downtown destinations such as Hemisfair, Travis Park, and La Villita.

“The event welcomes San Antonians to enjoy their favorite holiday beverages on one of our most historic and charming streets. I want to thank our partners at the San Antonio Coffee Festival for their continued partnership in hosting this event,” Jacks said in a news release.

Trish DeBerry, president and CEO of Centro San Antonio, an advocacy organization for downtown commerce and engagement, said adding the San Antonio Coffee Festival to a series of other area holiday programs allows event organizers to expand their offerings, such as seasonal coffee drinks, tea, cider, hot chocolate, and holiday treats.

DeBerry also said the coffee festival is one more way for local residents to get to know downtown businesses, especially those owned by fellow San Antonians. She wants to reclaim the area as "San Antonio's main street."

“Hot Holidays on Houston Street, presented by the San Antonio Coffee Festival, plays a key role in these efforts, activating and highlighting diverse spaces in downtown San Antonio,” she added.

Lisa Torres, manager and roaster of Dos Perros Coffee, said she views drinking coffee as an experience that a variety of people can enjoy.

“It’s really the one time you can sit down, enjoy your coffee and relax. It’s a moment of self-absorption,” Torres said.

The setup for Dos Perros at the coffee festival will consist of two people serving attendees, and two brewers constantly producing coffee. Dos Perros’ booth will have a side section where visitors can chat with Torres about coffee.

“I want people to talk with us about roasting beans, flavor profiles, things like that,” she said. “It’s all about coffee culture.”

Can’t make it to Houston Street on December 7? Don’t despair, the San Antonio Coffee Festival will return to downtown on February 8, 2025.

holidays san antonio coffee festival