Announcing the 2013 Eater Awards for Houston

It is time now—drumroll, trumpets, gongs.—to announce the winners of the 2013 Eater Awards. In over a dozen categories in 27 cities, the winners comprise a diverse group of the finest and most interesting chefs, operators, and characters in the continent that have defined this year in dining. We applaud them. You are hereby instructed to applaud them. So, without further ado—actually, a few quick pre-ambling thoughts....

To recap, Eater's local editors in 27 cities nominated candidates for five major local categories: Restaurant of the Year, Chef of the Year, Bartender of the Year, So Hot Right Now Restaurant, and Stone Cold Stunner. Eater readers then voted to narrow the field to a final three in each category. From that final three, the Eater editorial team chose the winner. Our Eater National brain trust then got together to decide the national winners for those categories. In addition to these main stage winners, said Eater editorial team has named worthy winners in more specialized categories, for myriad notable achievements.

Nominees and winners alike will be feted at a party tonight in Manhattan. Those winners that couldn't make it should watch their mail for packages containing cans of Italian peeled tomatoes. And now, without further ado, the winners in Houston.

Click through for the full rundown of winners across the country on Eater National.

Eater Awards 2013

Restaurant of the Year
Nominees: The Pass & Provisions, Da Marco, Kata Robata, Oxheart, Himalaya
Finalists: The Pass & Provisions, Kata Robata, Oxheart
Winner: The Pass & Provisions

Chef of the Year:
Nominees: Brandi Key (Coppa Osteria), Philippe Gaston (Cove), Chris Kinjo (MF Sushi), Grant Gordon (Tony's, Vallone's), Anita Jaisinghani (Indika, Pondicheri)
Finalists: Brandi Key (Coppa Osteria), Philippe Gaston (Cove), Anita Jaisinghani (Indika, Pondicheri)
Winner: Philippe Gaston (Cove)

So Hot Right Now
Nominees: Coppa Osteria, Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette, Osteria Mazzantini, La Balance, Maine-ly Sandwiches
Finalists: Coppa Osteria, Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette, La Balance
Winner: La Balance

Bartender of the Year
Nominees: Chris Frankel (RDG + Bar Annie), Sheridan Fay (El Gran Malo), Jeremy Olivier (Down House), Alexander Gregg (Goro & Gun)
Cheryl Gibbs (Capt. Foxheart's Bad News Bar & Spirit Lodge)
Finalists: Chris Frankel (RDG + Bar Annie) + Alexander Gregg (Goro & Gun), Cheryl Gibbs (Capt. Foxheart's Bad News Bar & Spirit Lodge), Sheridan Fay (El Gran Malo),
Winner: Cheryl Gibbs (Capt. Foxheart's Bad News Bar & Spirit Lodge)

Stone Cold Stunner
Nominees: Coppa Osteria, The Pass & Provisions, Artisans, Nara, Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette
Finalists: Nara, Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette, The Pass & Provisions
Winner: Nara

Emerging Chef of the Year
Winner: Matt Marcus (Eatsie Boys)

Pastry Chef of the Year
Winner: Rebecca Masson (Fluff Bake Bar)

· All Coverage of the Eater Awards [~E~]