Tastemaker Awards

Fort Worth culinary superstars and food fans toast the 2022 Tastemaker Awards

For the very first time, Fort Worth food fans and cocktail connoisseurs got to raise a glass to the city's top restaurants, bars, and culinary masters at the inaugural CultureMap Fort Worth Tastemaker Awards.

Held Tuesday, May 10 at the 4 Eleven venue, the evening not only honored the very best of Fort Worth's culinary scene, but it dished up a hedonistic feast for a capacity crowd of 400.

Nominated chefs and restaurants served spectacular bites, and hard-working bartenders whipped up cocktails at lightning speed. A portion of the proceeds benefited Funky Town Fridge, which fights food insecurity in Fort Worth.

Lines formed quickly for small plates and samples from some of Fort Worth's most popular and influential eateries, spread out across two stories in the historic building. Hungry guests were spotted going back for seconds for dishes including:

Asian Zing Nachos served on house-fried wonton chips from Chef of the Year nominee Katrina Carpenter of Carpenter's Cafe.
Shortrib with Peanut Butter and Jelly Sauces from Chef of the Year nominee Nico Sanchez of Del Toro BBQ.
Jerk-Seasoned Yellowfin Tuna Tostadas from Best New Restaurant nominee The Fitzgerald.
Enchiladas with Pappas Bravas and Elite Dulcet from Chef of the Year nominee Mary Perez of Enchiladas Ole.
Candied Bacon-topped Cinnamon Rolls from Best Breakfast nominee Ol' South Pancake House.
House-made Mushroom and Chickpea Sliders from Best New Restaurant nominee Zonk Burgers.
Parmesan Bagel with Honey, Whipped Cherry Farmers Cheese, and a dragonfly-shaped Black Garlic Tuille from Chef of the Year nominee Jenny Castor of Luckybee Kitchen.
Potato Leek Pizza from Best New Restaurant nominee Pizza Verde.
Mini King Cakes and French Quarter Beignets from Best New Restaurant nominee Dusty Biscuit Beignets.
Deviled Eggs with Koji Beet, Coconut Curry Yolk from Chef of the Year nominee Jenna Kinard of Jellico's.
Roasted Garlic Hummus with Watermelon Radish from Best New Restaurant nominee Courtside Kitchen.

And, Bar of the Year nominee WineHaus helped wash down the tasty bites with Haus-made Strawberry Frosés.

VIP ticket-holders could arrive early to valet park easily and mingle at a dedicated bar just for them. Beer drinkers made themselves at home in the Beer Garden presented by Deep Ellum Brewing Company and Ellum Ranch Patio Water.

The main bar poured signature cocktails featuring the spirits of sponsors Maestro Dobel Tequila and The Bardstown Bourbon Company: The Bardstown Bourbon Strawberry Smash, Bardstown Fusion Mule, and Dobel Ranch Water. Guests paced themselves with plenty of Topo Chico.

But this party wasn't just a feeding frenzy; we had some awards to present. Celebrity emcee, comedian CJ Starr, announced winners in four categories from restaurants and bars across Fort Worth; acclaimed chef and last year's Tastemaker Hero Award winner Jon Bonnell pitched in to present the prestigious award for Chef of the Year.

The nominees and winners were selected by judges consisting of past winners, food and beverage industry experts, and CultureMap editors (Jason Suder, Celestina Blok, Malcolm Mayhew, Laurie Barker James, Eric Griffey, Amanda Going, Teresa Gubbins, and Stephanie Allmon Merry) — all except one category, Best New Restaurant, selected by readers in a bracket-style competition on our website.

The winners were:

Best New Restaurant: Dusty Biscuit Beignets
Chef of the Year: Jenny Castor, Luckybee Kitchen
Restaurant of the Year: Belenty's Love Vegan Mexican Restaurant
Bar of the Year: The Lobby Bar at Hotel Dryce
Best Breakfast: Ol' South Pancake House

Winners accepted gorgeous glass trophies onstage and posed for pictures; some groups even streamed the presentation live on social media for their fans to watch at home.

Between feasting and celebrating, guests stopped to snap Insta-worthy photos at the photo booths and bought raffle tickets benefiting Funky Town Fridge. Founder Kendra Richardson gave heartfelt remarks about the mission of the organization.

Spotted in the crowd, having great foodie fun, were Dallas dining VIPS, award nominees, and guests including: Kelci Cox, Erin Louis, Josie Villa-Singleton, Crystal Vastine, Michelle Payne, Rodney Lambert, Nancy Lamb, Danette Wicker, Keely Burke, Greg Pawlowski, Christopher Falcon, Sandra Falcon, Margie Shynk, Sarah White, Joseph Whitaker, Brandon Watson, Krystal Watson, Sarah Whitaker, Lauren Phillips, Andrea Ordonez, Lindsey Wilson, Jeff Hummel, Chloe Barney, Taylor Pena, Taylor McNair, Sara Maschmeyer, Amanda Yunger, Shannon Osbakken, Sarah Allen, Robert Yunger, Willie Lindsay, Robert Judy, Katherine Stephens, Jada Nicome, Michael Rihani, Jordan Rihani, Fabian Alvarado, Quincy WallacekTam Taylor, Tricia Dalton, Melissa Howard, and Alex Martin.

Hungry to be a part of it all next year? You can read about all the winners here, and we'll see you in 2023. Cheers!

Danette Wicker

Photo by Ashley Gongora

Danette Wicker

tastemakers

Hot-to-trot party

Former Fort Worth mayor helps corral big bucks at New Hope Equine gala

Photo by Savanna Romano

Betsy Price, Scott Murray

As the sun set over expansive pastures north of Fort Worth, hundreds of city slickers headed up to the country, to Lucky Spur Ranch Retreat in Justin for the 2024 Hope Gala.

Benefiting New Hope Equine Assisted Therapy, the October 25 fundraising party went all in on the horse theme, offering guests "A Night at the Races."

About 220 attendees arrived donning Derby hats and fascinators, bowties, fedoras, and cowboy boots - it was on a ranch after all, and not Churchill Downs. They mingled and posed with New Hope horses, browsed an impressive array of silent auction items, tossed horseshoes at whiskey bottles, and wet their whistles at an open bar alfresco.

When the dinner bell rang, folks moseyed inside and filled up on a buffet of Southwestern favorites, including beef skirt steak, grilled chicken, street corn, and Yukon Gold mashed potatoes. Nothing Bundt Cakes provided enough cake bites to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Master of ceremonies, former NBC5 sports anchor Scott Murray, welcomed guests and acknowledged New Hope leadership, including gala event chair Jason Hodson.

New Hope Equine Hope Gala 2024 Claire Messerle, Betsy Price, Katie MesserlePhoto by Savanna Romano

Moments later came a rousing "Howdy, y'all!" - the familiar greeting from former Fort Worth mayor Betsy Price, who served as the event's honorary chair. She underscored the importance of the organization's mission.

"New Hope isn't just a service, but it opens doors for those who think they don't have the strength, they don't have the courage or the connections to regain their sense of independence," she told the crowd.

Photo by Savanna Romano

Hope Gala honorary chair Betsy Price with emcee Scott Murray.

Since 2012, New Hope has been healing through therapeutic horsemanship for people of all ages with physical, intellectual, or developmental special needs. In 2022, they debuted the Natural Horsemanship program for veterans and first responders grappling with post-traumatic stress.

Funds raised at the gala support the “New Hope” that riders need for a better quality of life.

But the horses benefit, too. The majority of New Hope horses enjoy a second life with the organization; some were even on local kill lists.

"This is Texas, folks! We ride horses in Texas," Price concluded. "And every dollar that you give tonight or that you invest somewhere along the way will be doubled or tripled in the returns to these folks who need the therapy and the ones who work in the barns and help us."

New Hope Equine Hope Gala 2024 Guests bid in the live auction.Photo by Savanna Romano

Auctioneer Mike Trent got bidding going fast and furiously in a live auction for one-of-a-kind trips and experiences, including a vacation to Hilton Head (sold for $2,600), a dinner with several Dallas Cowboys legends (sold for $7,000), and a luxury suite concert experience at Dickies Arena (sold for more than $10,000).

In total, the gala raised $95,000 for New Hope programs.

"The annual cost to care for one horse runs about $6,000, so your generosity will help us care for our horses that provide vital therapy to our over 40 participants," organizers said afterwards.

New Hope Equine Hope Gala 2024 Champagne Yacht Club Band kept the dance floor lively.Photo by Savanna Romano

As some guests wandered outside to enjoy the fresh nighttime air, others got moving and grooving on the dance floor to the sounds of the Champagne Yacht Club Band.

Spotted in the crowd, enjoying the night were New Hope patrons, staff, board members, volunteers, and supporters, including Hamilton Sneed, Jennifer Kiedrowski, Nicole Matwijiw, Jennifer Morris, Pat Fultz, Red Fultz, Devan Peplow, Kathleen Beisly, Emily Rogers-Hicks, Susan Altshuler, Lauren Cobb, Ashley Cox, Mikenley Johnson, Blake Johnson, Kathleen Alexander, Melissa Howard, Claire Messerle, Katie Messerle, Sharla Kershen, Dave Kershen, Jason Hodson, Aaron Sturman, Jennifer Kiedrowski, Neal Bondy, Paul Barstad, Melanie Barstad, Mark Powers, DeAnna Powers, Kim Martin, Darlene Jacobs, Jim Jacobs, Debbie Thayer, and hundreds more.