Here are the 5 best food and drink events in San Antonio this week

The Cookhouse presents the final Bon Mange of the year on Thursday, October 25. The Cookhouse/Facebook

It’s all treats and no tricks this week as San Antonio gears up for Halloween weekend. Sink your teeth into a gala dinner featuring the nation’s top chefs or bring your squad to the McNay for a fiendishly fun tasting. Either way, this week is sure to be magical.

Wednesday, October 24

Corks + Forks at Toro Kitchen + Bar Stone Oak
Toro charges into fall with a flavorful dinner showcasing traditional Mexican cuisine. Dine on five courses from chef Juan Carlos paired with cocktails from Jose Cuervo. A brand ambassador will also be on hand for a tequila tutoring session. The dinner begins at 7 pm, and tickets are $88.

Thursday, October 25

Mezcal Tasting at McNay Art Museum
Discover the art of mezcal at this class and tasting session held on the museum’s picturesque Blackburn Patio. The ticket price, $25 for museum members and $35 for nonmembers, includes a spirits flight served in traditional copitas, bites from Chisme, and admission to the "Pop América, 1965–1975" exhibition featuring nearly 100 Latin American artworks. The fun begins at 7 pm.

The Final Bon Mange at The Cookhouse
Pieter Sypesteyn sends off one of San Antonio’s best dining series in style with the last Bon Mange of 2018. Starting at 6:30 pm, The Cookhouse chef will guide guests through five courses, each thoughtfully paired with wine. Limited tickets are $145.

Culinary Mosaic Showcase Dinner at Witte Museum
The San Antonio Restaurant Association is hosting some of Alamo City’s most acclaimed chefs at this exclusive event celebrating the Tricentennial. Starting at 6 pm, La Gloria’s Johnny Hernandez, Pharm Table’s Elizabeth Johnson, and Cured’s Steve McHugh will present a menu full of San Antonio flavor while leading a lively discussion on the recent UNESCO City of Gastronomy designation. A portion of the $225 individual admission will benefit culinary institutions and programs, ensuring the city's food legacy continues.

Sunday, October 28

James Beard Foundation Celebrity Chef Tour at Hotel Emma
Get a taste of some of the most acclaimed restaurants in the nation at this extraordinary interactive culinary experience benefitting the James Beard Foundation. The evening starts off at 6:30 pm with a cocktail reception hosted by the hotel’s chef John Brand, followed by a lavish meal featuring courses from each the celebrity chefs. Tickets are $115 and going quickly.

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Leche de Tigre chef Emil Oliva received his first Beard finalist nomination.Leche de Tigre/ Facebook
A frequent semifinalist, Mixtli received its first James Beard finalist nod.Mixtli/Instagram

After a strong showing in the semifinalist round, two San Antonio restaurants were among the finalists for this year’s James Beard Awards. The city’s chefs and restaurants scored one nomination in the nationwide categories, as well as one of the five nominations for Best Chef: Texas.

Here are all of the Texas nominees in the national categories:

Emerging Chef: RJ Yoakum, Georgie (Dallas)
Best New Restaurant: Ema (Houston)
Best New Restaurant: Mabo (Dallas)
Best New Bar: Bar Colette (Dallas)
Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service: Arjav Ezekiel, Birdie’s (Austin)
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program: March (Houston)
Outstanding Bakery: Starship Bagel (Dallas)
Outstanding Hospitality: Mixtli (San Antonio)

The nominees for Best Chef: Texas include one nominee from San Antonio. Here are all of the nominees in the category:

Thomas Bille, Belly of the Beast (Spring)
Emmanuel Chavez, Tatemó (Houston)
Emil Oliva, Leche de Tigre (San Antonio)
Regino Rojas, Purépecha (Dallas)
Michael Anthony Serva, Bordo (Marfa)

The finalists are drawn from the semifinalists who were announced in January. Houston led the way with 13 total semifinalist nominations. Dallas and San Antonio restaurants earned eight semifinalist nominations each, followed by six for Austin-area establishments.

Considered the Oscars of the food world, the James Beard Foundation announced the finalists for its Restaurant and Chef Awards on Wednesday, April 2. The awards recognize excellence by chefs and other culinary professionals in a wide range of categories ranging from Outstanding Chef to Best New Restaurant. For 2025, the James Beard Foundation added three new categories to recognize the beverage side of hospitality: Best New Bar. Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, and Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service.

Winners must also have “demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive,” according to the organization’s website. The awards also include media categories that will be announced on May 7.

Notably, both of San Antonio's nominees also earned spots in the Michelin Guide. Leche de Tigre was listed as a recommended restaurant, while Mixtli was the only San Antonio restaurant to receive a coveted Michelin star. Both honorees are first-time finalists.

“These remarkable leaders exemplify our 'Good Food for Good' mission through their commitment to excellence, to the evolution of the independent restaurant industry, and our broader food culture,” James Beard Foundation CEO Clare Reichenbach said in a statement. “We look forward to celebrating everyone at the 35th anniversary of the James Beard Awards in June.”

The Foundation will reveal its Restaurant and Chef Award winners at an awards ceremony on Monday, June 16, 2024, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

awards chefs james beard awards san antonio restaurants

Eat, drink, and be scary

Here are the 5 best food and drink events in San Antonio this week

Eat, drink, and be scary

Here are the 5 best food and drink events in San Antonio this week

oscars of the food world

2 San Antonio restaurants nab James Beard Award finalist nods

oscars of the food world

2 San Antonio restaurants nab James Beard Award finalist nods