Lineup

Tickets & Schedule

About

Planning

Sponsors

Auction

Lineup

October 13 - 14

Houston, TX

The big bash returns in 2023. Join us on Friday, October 13 and Saturday, October 14 as we host some of the F+B industry’s most talented chefs and personalities and throw a party to support F+B in crisis nationwide. You’ll eat your share in big and bold bites; have your choice of superb wine, beer, and spirits; and enjoy outstanding live music to enhance the chow-down experience. Proceeds will benefit Southern Smoke Foundation, which has distributed more than $10.9 million to F+B workers nationwide. Help our cause and rock out with us this October!

Get Tickets

CHEFS

Blake
Aguillard & Trey Smith

New Orleans, LA

Saint-Germain

Ope
Amosu

Houston, TX

ChòpnBlọk

Reem
Assil

Oakland, CA

Reem’s California

Stephen
Barber

Napa, CA

Farmstead

Angel
Barreto

Washington, D.C.

Anju

Chris
Bianco

Phoenix, AZ

Pizzeria Bianco

Aaron
Bludorn

Houston, TX

Bludorn

Junior
Borges

Dallas, TX

Meridian

Alejandro
Borunda & Daniel Fox

El Paso, TX

Taconeta

Leonard
Botello IV

Houston, TX

Truth BBQ

Tavel
Bristol-Joseph

Austin, TX

Canje

Trill
Burgers

Houston, TX

Trill Burgers

Ana
Castro

New Orleans, LA

Lengua Madre

Emmanuel
Chavez

Houston, TX

Tatemó

Ashley
Christensen

Raleigh, NC

AC Restaurants

Nina
Compton

New Orleans, LA

Compère Lapin

David
Cordúa

Houston, TX

The Lymbar

Trong
& Cory Nguyen

Houston, TX

Crawfish & Noodles

Chris
Cosentino

Houston, TX

Rosalie Italian Soul

Abbas
Dhanani

Houston, TX

Burger Bodega

Zachary
Engel

Chicago, IL

Galit Restaurant

Patrick
Feges & Erin Smith

Houston, TX

Feges BBQ

Kevin
Fink

Austin, TX

Ezov

Tim
Flores & Genie Kwon

Chicago, IL

Kasama

Aaron
Franklin

Austin, TX

Franklin Barbecue

Terrence
Gallivan

Houston, tx

Elro Pizza + Crudo

Evelyn
Garcia

Houston, TX

Jūn

Greg
Gatlin

Houston, TX

Gatlin’s BBQ

Levi
Goode

Houston, TX

Credence

Sarah
Grueneberg

Chicago, il

Monteverde

Mason
Hereford

New Orleans, la

Turkey and the Wolf

Manabu
“Hori” Horiuchi

Houston, TX

Katami

Matt
Horn

Oakland, CA

Horn Barbecue

Benchawan
Jabthong Painter

Houston, TX

Street to Kitchen

Brian
Jupiter

Chicago, IL

Frontier, Ina Mae Tavern

Cheetie
Kumar

Raleigh, NC

Ajja

Graham
Laborde & Benjy Mason

Houston, TX

Winnie’s

Ryan
Lachaine

Houston, TX

Riel

Carlo
Lamagna

Portland, OR

Magna Kusina

Evan
LeRoy

Austin, TX

LeRoy and Lewis

Tracy
Malechek-Ezekiel

Austin, TX

Birdie’s

Rebecca
Masson

Houston, TX

Fluff Bake Bar

Kate
McLean

Houston, TX

Tony's

Rafael
Nasr

Houston, TX

Craft Pita

Fermín
Núñez

Austin, TX

Suerte, Este

Ryan
Pera

Houston, TX

Coltivare

Ryan
Prewitt

New Orleans, LA

Pêche

Jess
Pryles

Austin, TX

Hardcore Carnivore

Felipe
Riccio

Houston, TX

Goodnight Hospitality

Jordan
Rubin

Portland, me

Mr. Tuna

Jason
Ryczek

Houston, TX

Little’s Oyster Bar

Caroline
Schiff

Brooklyn, NY

Pastry Schiff

Philip
Speer

Austin, TX

Comedor

Jason
Stanhope

Charleston, sc

The Quinte + Lowland

Martin
Stayer

Houston, TX

Nobie's

Stephen
Stryjewski

New Orleans, la

Link Restaurant Group

Andy
Ticer & Michael Hudman

Memphis, TN

Hog & Hominy

Sophina
Uong

New Orleans, LA

Mister Mao

Paola
Velez

Washington DC

Bakers Against Racism

Michelle
Wallace

Houston, TX

B’tween Sandwich Co.

Chris
Williams

Houston, TX

Lucille’s

Erick
Williams

Chicago, il

Virtue Restaurant & Bar

Robin
Wong, Terry Wong, Quy Hoang and Arash Kharat

Houston, TX

Blood Bros. BBQ

Claudette
Zepeda

San Diego, CA

VAGA Restaurant

The Throwdown

$ 175

General Admission

$ 500

Lexus VIP

Saturday, October 14, 2023
| 3:00–8:00PM

Discovery Green |
1500 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010

This is our big day. Dozens of the best chefs in America will gather at Discovery Green in Downtown Houston to serve up everything from smoked meats to scrumptious pastries. But, you know … there’s so much more: We’ll have the best wine, beer, and spirits, live music from top touring acts, and Lexus VIP ticket-holders will receive special perks including a comfortable space to enjoy the fun.

Just a few of the big names joining us: Chris Bianco (Phoenix, AZ; James Beard Best Chef: Southwest, 2003; James Beard Outstanding Restaurateur, 2022), Nina Compton (New Orleans, LA; James Beard Best Chef: South, 2018), Aaron Franklin (Austin, TX; James Beard Best Chef: Southwest, 2015), Evelyn Garcia (Houston, TX), Mason Hereford (New Orleans, LA), Cheetie Kumar (Raleigh, NC), and Claudette Zepeda (San Diego, CA).

General admission tickets: Your ticket includes all of the food, drinks, and live music you can handle starting at 4:00 p.m.

Lexus VIP tickets: Lexus VIP tickets include all of the food, drinks, and live music you can handle starting at 3:00 p.m. (early admission ending 4:00 p.m.). VIP tickets also include access to the exclusive Southern Smoke Festival 2023 Lexus VIP area and gifts from the Southern Smoke Foundation gift wheel!

Proceeds will benefit Southern Smoke Foundation’s mission to support food and beverage workers nationwide.

Purchase Tickets SEE LINEUP

Respect the Rosé

$ 500

Per Seat

$ 5000

Per Table of Ten (10)

$ 7500

VIP Table of Ten (10) with Special Wines

Friday, October 13, 2023
| 7:00–10:00PM

Four Seasons Hotel Houston | 1300 Lamar St, Houston, TX 77010

Seven of our talented chef friends from across the country will unite and collaborate on a multi-course extravaganza at the Four Seasons Hotel Houston, made even better by a collection of first-class rosés and other wines from some of our favorite producers. Guests are highly encouraged to dress up in their swankiest 007/Monte Carlo attire, making for a simply fabulous Friday night in H-Town.

The chefs: Sarah Grueneberg (Chicago, IL; James Beard Best Chef: Great Lakes, 2017), Michael Hudman and Andy Ticer (Memphis, TN), Rebecca Masson (Houston, TX), Ryan Prewitt (New Orleans, LA; James Beard Best Chef South, 2014), Jason Stanhope (Charleston, SC; James Beard Best chef: Southeast, 2015), and Stephen Stryjewski (New Orleans, LA; James Beard Best Chef: South, 2011).

Proceeds from Respect the Rosé go to ‘Behind You’, Southern Smoke Foundation’s mental health program that includes no-cost counseling to food and beverage workers in several states.

SOLD OUT! SEE LINEUP

Story

Eat well. Do good.

One night in 2015, Chris’s friend and former sommelier Antonio Gianola asked if Chris could host a fundraiser for the MS Society. After learning Antonio had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis earlier that week, Chris decided to throw a party with some of his chef and pit master friends and ultimately raised $181,000 for the MS Society.

The event grew each year, with more chefs from around the country traveling to Houston to raise money for a great cause. When Hurricane Harvey devastated Houston and the food and beverage industry, we quickly changed our mission for both the Southern Smoke Festival and the Foundation to provide financial assistance to anyone in the food and beverage in crisis nationwide. We continue to serve up flavors from some of the country’s best chefs at our annual festival, all to benefit our fellow industry workers across the U.S.

Food & Wine magazine calls our three-day weekend “unmissable.” The Houston Chronicle calls it “an over-the-top barbecue-beer-and-wine festival.”

We call it our favorite way to get together. Every time you buy a festival ticket, piece of merch, or bid on an auction item, the profits directly support our Emergency Relief Fund and general operations, which gets industry individuals financial help just as soon as they need it. Grants have been used to pay for essentials like groceries, clothing, and medications, and have covered the cost of car repossessions, rent, natural disaster damages, lost wages, and more.

To date, we’ve distributed more than $10 million directly to people in need, and with your support—by wining and dining your way through the weekend—we’re able to help even more of those in need.

Cheers to a damn good time.

Past Festivals

October 21 - 23, 2022

Houston, TX

FAQ

What is Southern Smoke Foundation?

Southern Smoke Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded by Chef Chris Shepherd in 2015 for people in the food and beverage industry. Through our Emergency Relief Fund, we provide funds directly to people in need that are battling health crises, winter storm damage, natural disasters, and other unforeseen events. Through our mental health program Behind You, we provide no-cost counseling to F+B workers in multiple states. We are the safety net for the American food and beverage industry. Our mission is to take care of our own each and every day.

Where’s my money going?

Southern Smoke Festival is Southern Smoke Foundation’s largest fundraiser. Money raised for our main event The Throwdown will go toward Southern Smoke Foundation’s Emergency Relief Fund, which directly impacts food and beverage workers in crisis nationwide. Money raised for Respect the Rosé will go toward Behind You, Southern Smoke Foundation’s program providing no-cost mental health counseling to F+B workers in multiple states. Approximately 15 percent of all funds raised will go to Southern Smoke Foundation’s general operations to ensure the organization can run at its highest capabilities. View Southern Smoke Foundation’s impact to-date here.

Are festival tickets available?

Purchase them here!

Will each day showcase the same chefs?

No, to see the lineup of chefs each day click here.

Are sponsorship opportunities still available?

Absolutely! We have some awesome partners at our side, and we love getting to know more rock stars who want to support our mission for the 2023 festival and beyond. Want to chat? Please contact Caroline Nabors at caroline@southernsmoke.org to inquire about sponsorships.

Are in-kind auction opportunities still available?

Yes! Our festival auction offers an exceptional assortment of notably sought-after items such as a collection of the finest wines, rare and valuable spirits, extraordinary one-of-a-kind culinary and wine events, unforgettable travel experiences from around the globe, and unique experiences that are highly coveted by our enthusiastic bidders. Want to donate? Please visit this form.

Can I come and go from the event?

There is no re-entry for any of our Southern Smoke Festival events.

What happens if it rains?

All events are rain or shine. The event will not be rescheduled, and we will not issue refunds.

Is the festival kid-friendly?

We will be checking IDs at the door at all events, and you must show your ID to enter and drink alcohol. Anyone over the age of 3 must purchase a ticket. Strollers are not permitted. There are no discounts for a child’s ticket.

Is the festival pet-friendly?

No, we will not be permitting animals at any of the Southern Smoke Festival events. *With the exception of medically advised service animals.

Will the festival have vegetarian options?

Each participating chef will be featuring a dish of their choice. We cannot guarantee that there will be vegetarian options available.

Can you bring outside food and drink into the event?

No food or drink is permitted into any of our Southern Smoke Festival events.

Media Inquiries Volunteer Form

Lodging

LODGING

Four Seasons Hotel Houston

1300 Lamar St, Houston, TX 77010

We’re so honored to have the Four Seasons Hotel Houston as the Official Hotel Sponsor of Southern Smoke Festival 2023! The Four Seasons Hotel Houston is located in the heart of the city. With its boldly stylish rooms and lavish amenities, the Four Seasons Hotel Houston redefines the idea of modern indulgence in a luxe hotel experience.

BOOK A ROOM

Introduction

Co-Presenting Sponsors

Official VIP and Automobile Sponsor

Official Hotel Partner

Official Presenter of the Texas Food and Wine Garden

Official VIP Wine Sponsor

Official Whiskey Sponsor

Official Canned Cocktail Sponsor

Official Beer Sponsor

Official Merch Sponsor

Official Water Sponsor

Official Apron Sponsor

2023 Festival Partners

In-kind Sponsors

Together, we keep the fire burning.

Southern Smoke Festival is a one-of-a-kind event that brings together foodies and culinary titans while supporting members of the food and beverage industry nationwide in crisis. There are few things we love more than throwing a huge party, but we definitely can’t do it without our sponsors.

We are grateful for the people, organizations, and businesses that put their weight behind Southern Smoke Festival. You all rock. If you’re interested in helping us make Southern Smoke Festival 2023 the best it’s ever been, then we’d love to hear from you.

Our annual auction offers an exceptional assortment of notably sought-after items such as a collection of the finest wines, rare and valuable spirits, extraordinary one-of-a-kind culinary and wine events, unforgettable travel experiences from around the globe, and unique experiences that are highly coveted by our enthusiastic bidders. Uncork your spirit of giving and consider making a donation.

Interested in sponsorship?

Interested in sponsorship?

Check back soon for new additions and links to auction lots from these amazing donors!