Of course most restaurant and bar staff want some recognition from the public, but evenings like yesterday's really highlight how special it is to get industry people together to cheer each other on.
CultureMap's 2024 Tastemaker Awards rounded up chefs, mixologists, and other representatives from the city's best restaurants and bars to celebrate each other's achievements and choose the top in each class. Best of all, these nominees were chosen by a team of industry experts — mostly last year's winners — ensuring that these accolades really represent the interior industry. One special category, Best New Restaurant, was voted by fans.
Photo by Guillermo Rosas
Attendees celebrate Canje's win with Rising Star Chef nominee Harvard Aninye (left center, in gold sleeves).
Since February, CultureMap has been getting readers acquainted with the nominees in an editorial series that will live on for slow nights when Austinites can't decide where to eat. Armed with that knowledge, industry folks and the public alike gathered at Distribution Hall to hear the winners announced.
Pitmaster Kareem El-Ghayesh (second from left) celebrates KG BBQ's nomination for Restaurant of the Year.Photo by Guillermo Rosas
Guests got to taste innovative bites from 15 nominees, plus mixed drinks from a sponsor-supported open bar. 8th Wonder Cannabis brought THC seltzer; Flor de Caña Rum and Tito’s Handmade Vodka supplied their spirits; and Ritual Zero Proof and Topo Chico provided non-alcoholic options. Reservations app Tock was also a sponsor.
Raw fish and sushi were popular last night. Watertrade (Bar of the Year nominee) brought "tiny onigiri" with uni (sea urchin) miso butter, lotus root furikake, and chili ponzu. Honey Moon Spirit Lounge (Best Patio nominee) brought a vibrant aguachile, and Bill's Oyster (Best New Restaurant nominee) brought a tart scallop ceviche. Eberly (Restaurant of the Year nominee) and Gràcia Mediterranean (Best New Restaurant nominee) both brought crudos — each with a unique twist.
Fish was a very popular menu item. Gràcia Mediterranean prepared a unique crudo with basil oil and pine nuts.Photo by Guillermo Rosas
Ramen Tatsu-ya (Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year nominee) switched things up with a "deviled agitama sando," essentially combining the idea of a soy-marinated egg and a Southern deviled one. NG Cafe also brought sandwiches — open-faced bánh mì with deliciously tender pork belly — and plenty of extra bread to hand out. Margarita Kallas-Lee of Wolf & Wheat stunned guests with the most unexpected bite of all: smoked banana ice cream sandwiches on brown butter brioche cookies with a caviar bump.
The Quach family rallied behind matriarch Nguyet Quach (center) in representing Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year nominee NG Cafe.Photo by Guillermo Rosas
When it was time to announce the winners, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema founder Tim League took the stage as the night's emcee. Asking the excited crowd to hold their applause, he never stood a chance; but reversing his decision, he pushed on through roaring adulation from the many supporters around the room.
Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel of Birdie's was named Chef of the Year, while Sarah McIntosh of Épicerie cooked up the Pastry Chef of the Year award. Holiday and Jester King Brewery won Bar of the Year and Best Brewery, respectively.
Then, three diverse restaurants scored in the restaurant categories. Birdie's was celebrated as 2024's Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year. The Poeta team looked on with suspense and phone cameras at the ready as they found out they won Best New Restaurant. Cosmic Saltillo, located just a two-minute walk away, snagged the wildcard category for Best Patio.
Lastly, Canje scored biggest award of the evening: Restaurant of the Year. Rising Star Chef nominee Harvard Aninye, who read about our admiration of his outfit last year (hey, thanks for reading!), matched his efforts this year and helped accept the award in a cool new ensemble. Read more about the winners here.
CultureMap offers abundant congratulations to the winners and our thanks to the sponsors, participants, and attendees for coming. We can't wait to celebrate with y'all again next year.
