Karbachtoberfest
FARM-TO-TABLE fare! Caviar! Craft brew, barbecue and big beef! It’s all on the table this fall in the Houston area, especially if you’re hungry to get out and discover new stomping grounds. Many festival tickets sell out fast, so sign up now (or sweat it out).
Karbachtoberfest
Karbachtoberfest
This beer-fueled fall event started in 2011, and this year marks the 10th Karbachtoberfest at the brewery. On tap every Friday and Saturday through Oct. 9: Expect DJ sets, live music from oompah bands, the notorious Stein-Hoisting competition, wiener dog races, and live musical performances. The star of the show is the beloved Karbachtoberfest seasonal brew, a Bavarian-style Märzen mashed with Vienna and Munich malts, cold fermented and aged for six weeks. Naturally, the beer pairs well with pretzels and sausage, but it tastes mighty fine on its own. Event entry is free for humans and wiener dogs. Register HERE.
Chefs for Farmers Houston
Chefs for Farmers
The inaugural Chefs for Farmers Houston, Oct. 2, is a signature tasting experience celebrating Houston’s homegrown culinary talent. Hosted at the highly anticipated Autry Park, it offers the opportunity for guests to savor bites from 20-plus top regional chefs, who will partner with a variety of regional farms to curate one-of-a-kind dishes. Wash down delectable eats with libations from various wineries, distilleries and breweries. Each ticket is all-inclusive — bites, drinks and live entertainment! For its inaugural year, Chefs for Farmers Houston has partnered with the Houston Food Bank and Urban Harvest. Participating chefs include Aaron Bludorn, Brandi Key, Alex Au-Yeung, Drake Leonards, Hugo Ortega, Ryan Pera, Travis McShane, Austin Waiter, and many more.
La Nuit du Caviar
La Nuit du Caviar
DR Delicacy, the luxury food retailer behind the annual Truffle Masters chef competition, will debut La Nuit du Caviar on Oct. 3 at the Astorian near Sawyer Yards. Expect a decadent affair with caviar dishes crafted by more than a dozen local chefs, including Luis Roger (MAD and BNC), Nikki Vongthong (Hidden Omakase) and many more. A portion of proceeds will benefit the Houston Symphony League. Tickets start at $450.
Two Saints and a Taco Tasting
Two Saints and a Taco
Named for two of Houston’s saints — Saint Arnold and Saint Thomas Aquinas — this spicy event on Oct. 14 showcases more than a dozen local eateries competing for the title of “Best Taco” from both attendees and judges. Organized by the University of St. Thomas alumni, proceeds benefit a student scholarship fund. The event will be on the grounds of the University of St. Thomas; tickets include tacos and drinks.
Southern Smoke Festival
Southern Smoke Foundation co-founder Chris Shepherd has recruited more than 60 chefs, including many of his fellow James Beard Award winners, Top Chef fan favorites and local talent, to serve at food-tastic fetes taking place Oct. 21-23. Since its last event in 2019, Southern Smoke Festival has morphed into a three-day party: The H-Town Welcome Wagon wheels in on Oct. 22; Southern Smoke on Ice seafood and shellfish spectacular arrives Oct. 23; and the bustling live-fire-cooking East Downtown Throwdown closes the fest Oct. 24.
Butcher's Ball
Bobby Matos at Butcher's Ball
The fifth annual Butcher’s Ball is rolling out the red carpet at the Rockin’ Star Ranch in Brenham, Nov. 12-13. Chefs across Texas will gather to celebrate independent farmers and ranchers committed to sustainable practices. The weekend kicks off Saturday with the Butcher’s Baller farm-to-table dinner featuring 10 chefs. Sunday’s Butcher Ball brings on more than a dozen chefs competing for the coveted Golden Cleaver award, while another group shows off live-fire dishes at the Ring of Fire.
Houston BBQ Throwdown
Houston BBQ Throwdown
Nov. 20 will be smoking hot in H-Town! That’s when the Houston BBQ Throwdown pits 14 restaurants against each other to create a dish that best demonstrates the future of Houston ‘cue. Held at Saint Arnold Brewing Co. and organized by the team behind the iconic Houston Barbecue Festival, participants include Dozier’s BBQ, Roegels, The Pit Room, Brett’s BBQ Shop, and more.
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Bambuco, the lobby bar
Local fruit, juices and more at Casa Mayor breakfast 
Maroma Spa by Guerlain 
Maroma Spa by Guerlain 
Maroma from above