food

The Truffle Masters Returns — with a New Competition — Benefitting Southern Smoke

The Truffle Masters Returns — with a New Competition — Benefitting Southern Smoke

THE TRUFFLE MASTERS is returning for its 11th year on March 3rd. Now a Houston tradition of sorts, the competition sees top chefs creating a dish using black truffles all benefitting Southern Smoke.

Thirty chefs are competing including new Michelin star laureates Chef Michaela Arzola of March and Chef Felipe Botero of Le Jardinier. Other restaurants participating include Uchi, Okto, The Kennedy, Hidden Omakase and Leo’s.

In a first for The Truffle Masters, a cocktail competition has been added! VIP guests will be able to to sample creations by Javier Ruano of BCN/MAD, Afzal Kaba of Musaafer, Fredy Nunez and Mo Jalal of Wild and Wooster’s Garden before a panel of judges will award The Truffle Masters' first-ever Cocktail Master. Cheers!

Southern Smoke Foundation is dedicated to providing emergency relief, mental health services and financial assistance to food and beverage industry workers in crisis. Founded by Chris Shepherd, Southern Smoke has distributed over $10 million in direct assistance to hospitality professionals facing medical emergencies, natural disasters and unexpected hardships.

The competition takes place The Revaire and tickets are available here.

film

Chicano Activist and Actor Cheech Marin Finds Himself at Home in Houston

Cheech Marin reflecting outside of The Cheech (photo by David Fouts)

WHEN YOU TALK to Los Angeles-born actor Cheech Marin, regardless of how serious the subject, you can’t help but smile. His pop-culture presence is infused with an astute awareness of politics and history, and a “can do, make do, find a way to move ahead” spirit he connects to the word “Chicano,” a derogatory term that came to signify resilience, creative thinking, and social consciousness. “My dad, who died at age 93, always described himself as a Chicano, because it described him,” says Marin.

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Celebrated Pianist Plays Free Concert at MD Anderson, Follows with Symphony Showcase

Emmanuel Ax (photo by Nigel Parry)

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Art + Entertainment