A Star-Studded Texas Food and Wine Festival Will Debut in Houston This Fall

Chefs for Farmers, a Texas food and wine festival that bridges the talents of local chefs and farmers, will make its way to Houston for the first time this fall, featuring a host of some of Houston’s best culinarians.

The festival, which is partnering with the Houston Food Bank nonprofit, will take over Autry Park at Shepherd and Allen Parkway from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 2, pairing chefs like Top Chef: Houston finalist Evelyn Garcia, Aaron Bludorn of Bludorn, and Niki Vongthong, chef of Hidden Omakase, with farmers to further demonstrate what happens when there’s a focus on seasonal and sustainable food.

Founded in Dallas in 2010, the Chefs for Farmers festival started as a small farm-to-table dinner series before evolving into a large food and wine showcase that raises awareness and support for family farms in Texas.

This year the 21-and-up event will feature tastings, live entertainment, and food pairings, including cocktails, craft beer, and wine.

Tickets go on sale through the festival website starting on Monday, July 11. Early bird VIP tickets ($135 through Friday, July 15) give guests access to the festival an hour early — starting at 1 p.m. Early bird tickets for general admission, which gives entrance at 2 p.m., are available for $99 through Friday, July 15. Tickets will then be available on a limited basis for $150 for VIPs and $115 for general admission.

Some of the Houston chefs featured on this year’s roster include:

• Aaron Bludorn, executive chef and co-owner of Bludorn
• Adolfo Monjaras, executive chef of Mandola’s Catering
• Alex Au-Yeung, James Beard Award-nominated chef-owner of Phat Eatery
• Austin Waiter, executive chef-partner of the Marigold Club
• Brandi Key, culinary director and chef of Daily Gather
• Chris Shepherd, James Beard Award-winning chef of Georgia James
• Drake Leonards, executive chef-partner of Eunice
• Hugo Ortega, James Beard Award-winning chef and owner of Backstreet Café and Hugo’s
• Top Chef: Houston finalist Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu, the chefs behind KIN HTX
• Jio Dingayan, chef de cuisine of Money Cat
• Justin Yoakum, chef of Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette
• Kirthan and Kripa Shenoy, the chef duo behind Auden
• Leonard Botello, pitmaster and owner of Truth BBQ
• Maria Gonzalez, executive chef of Lees Den
• Marcos Leal, chef de cuisine of Loro Houston
• Michael Hoffman, executive chef of Brasserie 19
• Michael Sambrooks, chef of Andiron
• Niki Vongthong, chef of Hidden Omakase
• Otto Sanchez, chef-owner of Mangol French Bakery
• Paul Qui, chef and partner of Golfstrømmen
• Ryan Pera, chef and co-owner of Coltivare
• Steve Marques, chef of Craft Creamery
• Travis McShane, chef-owner of Ostia
• Tommy Laczynski, executive chef of Ouzo Bay
• Quy Hoang, James Beard Award-nominated pitmaster of Blood Bros BBQ