Food TV

San Antonio chef fires up guest spot on upcoming Cooking Channel show

Pieter Sypestyn will be spotlighted on a June 5 episode of Man Fire Food.

Photo courtesy of the Cooking Channel

Judging by the many splashy features on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and the slightly less flattering recent appearance on Bar Rescue, food television producers can’t seem to get enough of the Alamo City. Now, it is making a pit stop once again as San Antonio chef Pieter Sypestyn makes a debut appearance on the Cooking Channel’s hit series Man Fire Food.

Hosted by Canadian chef Roger Mooking, the show takes viewers on a culinary trip around America, highlighting regional barbecue cooking. Unlike other similar show, however, it doesn’t always highlight the most obvious styles — focusing just as much on innovation as it does tradition.

Although brisket may be the undisputed ruler of Texas barbecue pits, the episode airing at 8 pm on June 5 goes whole hog with a half-hour focusing on the creative ways Lone Star chefs cook pork.

According to a Cooking Channel rep, Sypestyn will make a wild pig stuffed with chaurice, a hot and spicy sausage popular in Creole and Cajun cooking. The meat will then be added to a piquant tomato-based stew — in other words, just the sort of stuff one might find at the average San Antonio backyard barbecue.

Adding to the foodie fun, the episode also makes a drive north to Austin to feature Banger’s Sausage House and Beer Garden, one of the most popular restaurants on that city’s burgeoning Rainey Street strip. There, Mooking will taste pitmaster Ted Prater's simply seasoned, slow-smoked whole hog made into Carolina-style barbecue sandwiches.

Sypestyn is only just the latest San Antonio chef to be featured on the fiery series. Previous seasons have highlighted Steve McHugh of Cured, Johnny Hernandez of El Machito, and the Culinary Institute of America’s former student-run restaurant Nao.

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Home for the Holidays

San Antonio street lights up with at least 9 holiday events and activities

Photo courtesy of Visit San Antonio

Holidays on Houston Street was announced in an extravagant press conference.

A San Antonio holiday happening that debuted on Houston Street in 2023 is back for another year of festivities, but this year it's going much bigger. Holidays on Houston Street will transform its surroundings for holiday shopping from November 29 to January 2, both decorating the corridor for holiday cheer and organizing deals with local businesses.

This activation will take place across five blocks on the namesake street, from Broadway to Legacy Park. Of course, everything will be draped in twinkling lights — a release counts nearly 400,000 on 80 trees — and other decor like wreaths and ornaments. Shops, hotels, restaurants, and bars will take care of their own decorations, adding to the immersion.

There will also be a more concentrated event within the larger project from December 13-15, heightening the effects with even more decor and some holiday activities. This is where the market comes in; organized by the City of San Antonio's Shop Local campaign, it'll highlight 30 local businesses that will surely have some unique gift ideas ready to go. Plus, carolers and other entertainment including a drone show will provide that extra-festive ambiance.

During the market, visitors can stop by the Houston Street Experiential Lounge for food and beverages, plus "experience-based gifts from various San Antonio attractions," according to a press release.

With those main plans in place, there will be a multitude of other events and entertainment, including:

November 22 to January 5: The Rotary Ice Rink, presented by Valero, returns to Travis Park.
November 29: The activation kicks off with a Christmas tree lighting.
November 30 to January 2: Old Town Trolley Tours will operate a decked-out trolley for a 45-minute sing-along tour downtown. Since the song list contains classic carols, you probably already know some of the words.
December 3: Restaurants and bars between Navarro Street and North St. Mary’s Street will contribute to a block-long communal potluck table.
December 7: The San Antonio Coffee Festival is organizing a new shop-and-stroll event where visitors can bring a mug to sample coffee, tea, cider, and hot chocolate, plus more themed treats.
December 12: The Paseo Market at Legacy Park offers more gifts from local vendors, plus live music and complimentary drinks while supplies last.
December 14: Visitors of all ages at The Alamo can try making frontier-style crafts like yarn dolls, Victorian greeting cards, and pomanderballs (oranges with cloves stuck in the peel). Living history reenactors will present Christmas storytelling, caroling, candy making, blacksmithing, leatherworking and more.
December 17: A costumed fun run and a more challenging 5K will get heart rates up, ending in an after party with live music, food, ice skating, games, and giveaways.

These fun events are meant to draw tourists to San Antonio, as well as to support local businesses through the gifting season.

“Holidays on Houston Street represents the future of Downtown San Antonio,” said Trish DeBerry, President and CEO of Centro San Antonio, as quoted in the release. “These initiatives are much more than just ‘events downtown’ — they serve as a catalyst for economic progress, revitalizing local businesses throughout the area. As we work toward a cleaner, safer downtown and look ahead to new projects, it’s essential to continue bringing activations that energize the downtown community and foster growth that extends beyond the core.”

More information about Holidays on Houston Street is available at visitsanantonio.com.

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