The grand finale to the 2024CultureMap Tastemaker Awardswas a night of feasting and fêting Dallas' brightest culinary superstars of the year.
The Tastemaker Awards are CultureMap's annual celebration of the top restaurants, chefs, bars, and bartenders. Held at the Fashion Industry Gallery in downtown Dallas on Thursday, May 16, the event brought 750 hungry foodies to a hedonistic feast where dozens of nominated chefs and restaurants dished out delectable tastes.
A portion of the proceeds benefited Harvest Project Food Rescue, which fights food insecurity in Dallas.
Lines formed quickly for small plates and samples from nominated chefs and eateries:
- Texas Jalapeño Pimiento Cheese from McRae's American Bistro
- Mexican Shrimp Cocktail, Poblano Soup, and Bread Pudding from Anaya’s Seafood
- Quail Con Mole from Black Agave
- Pork Dumpling from Uchiba
- Gulf Lump Crab Cake with Lemon Chive Remoulade from Carver Park
- Duck Tacos from Maison Chinoise
- Cavatelli al Ragù di Terra and Carpacciao di Manzo from Terra/Eataly
- Cauliflower Steak Bites from Meddlesome Moth
- Mahé Duck Coco Fry Canapé from Sanjh
- Steak Tartare and Basque Cheesecake from Crown Block
- Watermelon Salad from The Finch
- Whipped Eggplant from Lyla
- Caesar Alla ZZ from Carbone
- Beef Tartare from Mirador
- Herbed Chicken Salad in a Crispy Waffle Cone from Jonathon's
- Petit Pain Perdu from The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas
- Assorted French Macarons from Haute Sweets Pâtisserie
- Spicy Tuna Tartare Cone from Komodo Dallas
Jonathon's cleverly served chicken salad in waffle cones.Photo by Ashley Gongora
VIP ticket-holders could arrive an hour early to valet park easily, get a first taste of the food, and mingle at a dedicated bar just for them.
The bars poured signature cocktails featuring the spirits of sponsors Still Austin Whiskey Co. and Tito's Handmade Vodka: Made in Texas Mule, Gold Rush, Tito's Dirty Shirley, Tito's Mango-Rita, and, and Strawberry Fields Mocktail.
Non-alcoholic Espresso Martinis and Spicy Margaritas featuring alcohol-free spirits brand Ritual Zero Proof were served at the bars, and guests could stop by Ritual's table to try more A-F varieties.
Wine lovers could sample seven different Spanish Albariño wines from Rías Baixas, which sponsored the Wine Program of the Year award, and then enjoy full pours from the main bars.
Wine lovers could sample Spanish Albarinos from sponsor Rias Baixas.Photo by Ashley Gongora
Beer drinkers made themselves at home in the Beer Garden presented by Deep Ellum Brewing Company, where they were cracking open favorites like Dallas Blonde, Deep Ellum IPA, Neato Bandito, and Dream Crusher.
8th Wonder Cannabis poured out something new to many attendees - low-dose THC-infused seltzers in flavors like lime, cherry limeade, watermelon, berry, ranch water, and paloma.
Guests rehydrated with plenty of Topo Chico Sparkling Mineral Water, and Whataburger sampled their new iced coffee and handed out cookies for guests to enjoy on their ride home. Additional sponsors included Audio Visual Consultations and Tock.
But this party wasn't just a feeding frenzy; we had some awards to present. For weeks leading up to the event, we published a special editorial series that highlighted nominees in 10 categories. Emcee Mark Schectman announced the nominees and winners; each time a new category was announced, cheers went up in the crowd. (Oak Cliff establishments were represented especially well, as the emcee pointed out several times.)
Fernanda Rossano (aka "Cubby") of Kaiyo accepts the Bartender of the Year award.Photo by Ashley Gongora
The winners were chosen by a panel of local food and beverage experts, except for the category of Best New Restaurant, which was voted on by readers in a bracket-style competition online.
The winners were:
Winners accepted gorgeous glass trophies (and reusable tumblers courtesy of Whataburger) onstage and posed for pictures.
Between feasting and celebrating, attendees stopped to snap Insta-worthy photos at a photo booth and bought raffle tickets benefiting Harvest Project Food Rescue. They got to learn more about the organization's good work from Danae Gutierrez onstage.
Hungry to be a part of it all next year? You can read about all the winners here, and we'll see you in 2025. Cheers!