Good Gifts Grown Here

Holiday Gift Guide for Shopping Local: From Texas, with Love

Shop small, shop Southern. Our editors rounded up the best Texas-made gifts for food lovers, coffee nerds, and artsy homebodies.

12/10/2025 By Erica Cheng, Meredith Nudo, and Houstonia Staff

Big Flavor, Bigger Mission

What’s Cooking at This Year’s Southern Smoke Festival

More than 85 chefs and beverage pros are serving up bites, wine, and cocktails at one of Houston’s biggest food festival fundraisers.

09/30/2025 By Sofia Gonzalez

Food for Good

Southern Smoke Festival Returns to Discovery Green with New Features

This year’s fundraiser will wow food lovers with bites from more than 70 participating chefs across the country, cooking demos, and wine pop-ups.

10/02/2024 By Sofia Gonzalez

BIGGER, BETTER, SMOKIER

Houston’s Biggest Food Festival Returns This October

Chris Shepherd’s Southern Smoke Festival features an all-star lineup this year.

08/29/2022 By Daniel Renfrow

FOODQUAKE!

Celebrated Chef Chris Shepherd Is Out at Underbelly Hospitality

The James Beard Award winner has parted ways with the restaurant group he founded

07/20/2022 By Daniel Renfrow

Don't call it a comeback

Food News: Chef Chris Shepherd Is Making His Return to the Kitchen

Chef Shepherd is back to serve a limited number of guests with new dinner series.

10/29/2021 By Sofia Gonzalez Edited by Shelby Stewart

Rebirth

Food News: Annie Cafe, Turner's Back Open After Fire

Plus, more honors for the Southern Smoke Foundation.

06/28/2021 By Timothy Malcolm and Carolina Larracilla

Hungry Anniversary

Food News: Celebrate 10 Years of Pondicheri with Special Menu Items

Plus, Antone's Famous Po'Boys has developed a new sandwich with Dr. Peter J. Hotez.

03/01/2021 By Timothy Malcolm

Food News

Saturday's Food Update: New Southern Smoke Initiative, Where to Get Free Meals

If you need a hot meal, don't hesitate.

02/20/2021 By Timothy Malcolm

Howdy, Partner

Food News: Top Houston Restaurant Teams up with Southern Smoke

Plus, a popular Montrose restaurant is celebrating four years with a special guest.

01/25/2021 By Timothy Malcolm

Year In Review

2020: The Year in Houston Food

How Covid-19 changed everything.

12/28/2020 By Timothy Malcolm

Final Answer

Food News: David Chang Wins the Big One for Southern Smoke

The celebrity chef is giving back in a big way.

11/30/2020 By Timothy Malcolm

What's Your Charity?

Food News: Famous Chef Plays Game Show for Southern Smoke

Plus, a favorite neighborhood restaurant is moving ... just up the street a bit.

11/11/2020 By Timothy Malcolm

Southern Hospitality

How Southern Smoke Became a National Leader During the Coronavirus Crisis

The Houston organization serves up food-industry aid nationwide.

11/06/2020 By Timothy Malcolm

Meat Me Somewhere

Southern Smoke Festival Pivots with a Weekend of Events and Specials

While we can't all get in line for Franklin Barbecue, we can have plenty of beef, lamb, and pork.

09/22/2020 By Timothy Malcolm

SOS

Southern Smoke to Federal Leaders: Help the Restaurant Industry

Those behind the Houston-based organization have co-authored an op-ed calling on a plan.

09/01/2020 By Timothy Malcolm

Crack 'Em Open

Special Delivery: A Seafood Tower?

Landry's is getting into the home delivery game; plus, Southern Smoke launches an effort in Chi-Town.

08/11/2020 By Timothy Malcolm

Talk It Up

Food News: Fundraiser Gives People the Chance to Chat With a Chef

Plus, an NBA hall of famer was spotted getting some grub at Jax Grill.

07/23/2020 By Timothy Malcolm

A Step Forward

One Local Program Is Offering Free Mental Health Care for Food and Drink Workers

The Southern Smoke Foundation is helping to lead this statewide effort.

05/27/2020 By Timothy Malcolm

Perfect party

May's Perfect Party: The Skype Happy Hour Edition

This month we're inviting the leaders who've helped Houston navigate the COVID-19 crisis.

05/01/2020 By Catherine Matusow