TASTE BLACK RESTAURANT WEEK
OXTAIL RAGOUT WITH COCONUT RICE GRITS AT KULTURE
Houston Black Restaurant Week kicks off Sunday and runs through April 28. The fourth annual foodie attraction — which was founded in Houston but has since expanded to other cities — is meant to stimulate growth of African-American-owned culinary businesses and highlight inequalities minorities face in the food and beverage industry. It also aims to create experiences that expose a larger audience to flavors inspired by African-American, African and Caribbean food and wine.
To that end, more than 30 restaurants will offer special, prix-fixe menus during the twoweek run. Participating restaurants include Restaurant Indigo, Ray’s BBQ Shack, Lucille’s, Turkey Leg Hut, Taste of Nigeria, Phil & Derek’s, Kulture and Esther’s Cajun Cafe, among others. There are other ticketed events involved, too. For more information on Houston Black Restaurant Week and to purchase tickets, visit houbrw.com.
This year there will be a competitive element: Participants who complete a row on their Black Restaurant Week Bingo card will be eligible to win prizes, including gift cards and tickets to Houston Reggae Fest.
Here are a few event highlights:
Tuesday; 6-8 p.m.
The Aroma Culinary Panel Discussion will feature tips on raising capital, as well as strategies for successful business operations and distributing culinary products to stores. Panelists include Sonny Jiles of The Defender Network, Rodney Norton of Frenchy’s Chicken, Wayne Luckett of Branwar Wines, Tamala Austin of Jive Juice and Tyla-Simone Crayton of Sienna Sauce. Tickets, $10 per person.
Thursday; 7-10 p.m.
The Art of Flavor: Pop-Up Dinner will offer a cocktail hour, live music and a four-course meal prepared by Kenneth Temple with South African wine pairings at Booked Design Space, 1210 Hawthorne. Tickets, $100.
Wednesday; 6-10 p.m.
Culinary showcase NOSH will be a party at George R. Brown Convention Center, with live music, unlimited food samples from black-owned Houston restaurants and caterers, live cooking demonstrations, a bartender competition and a People’s Choice Award contest. Tickets, $45-$350. Or sponsor an eight-person table for $1,000.00.
Saturday; 2-8 p.m.
Soundbites Food Truck Fest, Houston’s third-annual blackowned food-truck festival, will feature various food trucks and stands and a vendor marketplace. Houston’s most popular DJs will be around the Peggy Park campus, as well. Tickets, $7-$10; kids younger than 10 are free.