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Photo courtesy of Central Market

To celebrate Black History Month, Central Market is hosting a series of virtual cooking school classes featuring the stories and recipes of notable Black chefs and makers. The specialty grocer will also highlight the products and services of several Black-owned brands throughout the month.

Here's who you'll be learning from, and what signature dishes they'll be preparing for you live:

Chef Pierre Thiam is a celebrated chef, restaurateur, author, entrepreneur, and environmental activist known for his innovative cooking style rooted in the rich culinary traditions of West Africa.

His critically acclaimed New York restaurant Teranga introduces healthy fast-casual fare sourced directly from farmers in West Africa. He'll be making salmon and cassava croquettes with a tamarind glaze, grilled chicken yassa with onion and lime confit over fonio, and chocolate fonio pudding with honey roasted mango.

Marcus Samuelsson is the acclaimed chef behind many restaurants worldwide, including Red Rooster Harlem, Marcus Montreal, Marcus B&P, Red Rooster Overtown, and Marcus Fish + Chop House in the Bahamas.

Samuelsson was the youngest person to ever receive a three-star review from The New York Times and has won multiple James Beard Foundation Awards. He's also the head judge of the new show Top Chef Family Style. You'll learn to make blackened catfish with aioli and lime, coconut fried chicken, and roasted carrots with orange and fresh cheese.

Classically trained in French, Mediterranean, West Indian, and East African cuisine, chef Chris Williams has made a name for himself serving up refined Southern food with international infusions at Lucille's, his nationally acclaimed restaurant.

Cook along with the chef to make smoky citrus salmon on the half shell, coconut rice, and collard green salad.

Winemakers André Mack, Mahalia Kotjane, and Donae Burston join Central Market's wine expert for a guided tasting of four delicious wines, featuring grapes from Willamette Valley, Provence, and the High Plains of Texas.

You'll come to understand what a difference terroir can make and learn tips on pairing these wines with a variety of foods.

Central Market was founded on the unwavering belief that each and every person counts. Through its Be The Change initiative, they pledge to do their part to advance equity and inclusion across Texas.

Be The Change builds upon Central Market's established diversity and inclusion framework, driving the company to be a better employer, retailer, and community partner.

Learn from some of the best this month.

Black History Month
Photo courtesy of Central Market
Learn from some of the best this month.
Photo courtesy of Pioneer

The ultimate comfy giveaway + 3 holiday recipes to make your holiday bright

Turning Meals Into Memories

Have you been eyeing the popular Our Place Always Pan or super-soft Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Throw for this year's holiday list? Any chance you could use a tasty new recipe for get-togethers with family and friends? Pioneer has you covered on all fronts.

The contest
For 170 years, Pioneer has spread comfort during the holiday season. From sharing a basket of warm biscuits for breakfast to passing the gravy around the dinner table to the people you love, Pioneer specializes in turning meals into memories. This year, to celebrate the big milestone, Pioneer is introducing the Ultimate Holiday Comfort Kit Giveaway.

Valued at around $300, the kit includes the aforementioned Barefoot Dreams throw and Always Pan plus a Pioneer Prize Pack that includes Pioneer products and branded swag.

Here's how to enter: From now until December 16, follow both @culturemapftw and @pioneer_1851, like this post on CultureMap Fort Worth's Instagram, and tag a friend in the post's comments. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3.

The recipes
Since Pioneer is the nationwide leader in gravy, what better dish to bring to the table than one that utilizes Pioneer’s Country Gravy Mix and Country Sausage Gravy Mix?

Here are three mouth-watering recipes from the iconic Texas brand:

Turkey Casserole
Topped with Pioneer biscuits and made even more savory with bacon, it's the perfect way to use up leftover turkey.

Broccoli Cheese Soup
A wonderfully simple staple for chilly days and festive nights.

Skillet Breakfast Casserole
No-fuss but full of flavor, this easy breakfast can feed a crowd without taking too much time in the kitchen.

Click here to find Pioneer products near you, and be sure to sign up for Pioneer's weekly newsletter for the latest news, recipes, and seasonal tips.

Photo courtesy of Pioneer

3 must-try brunch recipes to wow Mom this Mother's Day

Bunch of Brunch

It can be hard to find the perfect gift for the Mom in your life, so this year why not keep it simple and stick with a classic? Homemade brunch. Serve it in bed, al fresco, or with her finest china — any way you spin it, she's sure to love it.

If your mom loves to cook, Pioneer has a chance for her to win big. From now until May 5, you can enter to win a Le Creuset 6.5-liter Dutch oven packed full of Pioneer favorites, valued at $300. To enter, complete these three steps: Like this post on CultureMap Fort Worth's Instagram, follow @pioneer_1851, and tag a friend in the post's comments.

But back to brunch: If figuring out what to make and which recipe to use feels a little intimidating, take heart. Pioneer helps make at-home cooking a cinch, and because the Texas brand has been around since 1851 (it's celebrating it's 170th anniversary this year) you can feel confident in the tried-and-true ingredients.

Pioneer carries a wide range of products you want in the kitchen, including pancake and waffle mixes, seasoning blends, flour and cornmeal, gravy mixes, and gluten-free options. It's all available at H-E-B, Walmart, and select stores nationwide. Check here to see if your favorite grocer carries Pioneer.

Start planning for May 9, and take a look at these three favorite recipes, straight from the Pioneer kitchen. Make one, or make them all to wow her with a serious spread this Mother's Day.

---

Sausage Biscuits and Southern Gravy
Servings: 6-8
Time: 16 minutes

Ingredients
3 cups Pioneer Buttermilk Biscuit and Baking Mix
1 cup Milk
1/2 pound breakfast sausage
1 package Pioneer Country Gravy Mix

Instructions
-Preheat oven to 450°F.
-Prepare biscuits according to Pioneer Buttermilk Biscuit and Baking Mix packaging.
-In a skillet over medium-high heat, crumble sausage and cook until golden brown. Set aside.
-Prepare Pioneer Country Gravy Mix to package instructions.
-Using a slotted spoon, add crumbled sausage to the prepared gravy.
-Split open fresh-baked biscuits and spoon warm gravy on top.

Use two pouches of Pioneer Country Gravy mix if cooking one pound of breakfast sausage.

It can be hard to find the perfect gift for the Mom in your life, so this year why not keep it simple and stick with a classic? Homemade brunch. Serve it in bed, al fresco, or with her finest china — any way you spin it, she's sure to love it. If your mom loves to cook, Pioneer [http://pioneerbrand.com] has a chance for her to win big. From now until May 5, you can enter to win a Le Creuset 6.5-liter Dutch oven packed full of Pioneer favorites, valued at $300. To enter, complete these three steps: Like this post [https://www.instagram.com/p/COLZdgslVjg/] on CultureMap Fort Worth's Instagram, follow @pioneer_1851 [https://www.instagram.com/pioneer_1851/], and tag a friend in the post's comments. But back to brunch: If figuring out what to make and which recipe to use feels a little intimidating, take heart. Pioneer helps make at-home cooking a cinch, and because the Texas brand has been around since 1851 (it's celebrating it's 170th anniversary this year) you can feel confident in the tried-and-true ingredients. Pioneer carries a wide range of products you want in the kitchen, including pancake and waffle mixes, seasoning blends, flour and cornmeal, gravy mixes, and gluten-free options. It's all available at H-E-B, Walmart, and select stores nationwide. Check here [https://pioneerbrand.com/where-to-buy/] to see if your favorite grocer carries Pioneer. Take a look at these three favorite recipes, straight from the Pioneer kitchen. Make one, or make them all to wow her with a serious spread this Mother's Day. --- Sausage Biscuits and Southern Gravy [https://pioneerbrand.com/2019/08/26/southern-biscuits-sausage-gravy/] Servings: 6-8 Time: 16 minutes Ingredients 3 cups Pioneer Buttermilk Biscuit and Baking Mix [https://pioneerbrand.com/portfolio-posts/pioneer-buttermilk-biscuit-baking-mix-40-oz/] 1 cup Milk 1/2 pound breakfast sausage 1 package Pioneer Country Gravy Mix [https://pioneerbrand.com/portfolio-posts/country-sausage-gravy-mix-2-75-oz/] Instructions -Preheat oven to 450°F. -Prepare biscuits according to Pioneer Buttermilk Biscuit and Baking Mix packaging. -In a skillet over medium-high heat, crumble sausage and cook until golden brown. Set aside. -Prepare Pioneer Country Gravy Mix to package instructions. -Using a slotted spoon, add crumbled sausage to the prepared gravy. -Split open fresh-baked biscuits and spoon warm gravy on top. Use two pouches of Pioneer Country Gravy mix if cooking one pound of breakfast sausage.
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Peek inside the Dallas-Fort Worth Tastemaker Awards exclusive Tasting Totes

In the Bag

This year, the biggest party of the Dallas and Fort Worth food and beverage scenes came right to your living room. CultureMap's Tastemaker Awards — Virtual Edition brought all the delicious and innovative ideas from our cities' best chefs and bartenders straight to you, courtesy of Tasting Totes that were brimming with goodies.

If you purchased a ticket to the online awards show, hosted by hip-hop legend Bun B, then you also got to indulge in generous samples from nominees. Missed out this year? When you see what you could have enjoyed, you'll be first in line to purchase in 2021, whether the party is virtual or in-person.

VIP ticket-holders had their Tasting Totes delivered right to their door via swanky ride service Alto, while general admission attendees swung by the West Village to pick up their swag bags.

Once home, a feast awaited, complete with a bottle of Grandes Vinos Monasteria Reserva or Old Vine Garnacha (read more about their history here), a six-pack of Topo Chico, and cans of Dallas Blonde and Blind Lemon hard seltzer from Deep Ellum Brewing Co(plus a can of Easy Peasy IPA for VIP attendees).

The next best thing to having 2019 Bartender of the Year winner Chris Unruh make you a drink in person is to have him show you how to do it yourself, step by step onscreen. Equipped with two great Texas spirits, Dripping Springs Vodkaand Desert Door Texas Sotol, along with Topo Chico, lime juice, and a to-die-for lavender lemonade mix, guests learned how to mix two signature cocktails to get the party started.

Guests could also shake things up with the first edition of the Tastemakers Cocktail Book, filled with exclusive recipes by Bartender of the Year nominees from across the state.

As for delicious bites from the nominees, VIP guests could dig into a noodle salad from Asian Mint, cacio e pepe pasta from The Charles, smoked salmon from Hugo's Invitados, a shrimp cocktail and concha pastry from Casa Jacaranda, and vegan barbacoa bowls from Toluca.

A salted hazelnut spice mix from chef Toby Archibald and chili condiments and house furikake from Salaryman will surely come in handy during future cooking adventures.

For dessert, you could take your pick from Texas Dugout Pie from Gold Ribbon Confections, bonbons from Kate Weiser Chocolate, spiced dark chocolate from Gemelle, sweets from Better Than Sex, and "baby trops" from La Tarte Tropézienne.

GA diners certainly weren't left out in the cold. Chips and queso from Meso Maya and chili Parmesan potato chips from Love Shack kicked things off, with Archibald's spice mix and a whole bottle of Norma's Cafe ketchup earning spots of honor in pantries all around DFW.

The Charles' pasta made another appearance, this time accompanied by Toluca's vegan elotes, Casa Jacaranda's shrimp empanada, and an assortment of savory nibbles from Little Lilly Sushi. Dessert here included a double-stuffed Oreo bread pudding from Better Than Sex, mini banana pudding from Lucky's Hot Chicken, and Micah cookies from Gold Ribbon Confections.

You can relive the virtual awards ceremony all over again here, as well as toast to all the 2020 Texas Tastemaker winners here. See you next year!

Tasting Totes brought the Tastemaker Awards to you.

Tastemaker Awards Dallas 2020
Courtesy photo
Tasting Totes brought the Tastemaker Awards to you.
Courtesy photo

Gift a delicious experience with classes from this gourmet Waterside shop

Festive Foodies

Looking for a one-of-a-kind gift this holiday season? Give an experience with cooking classes from Sur La Table at Waterside in Fort Worth.

The foodie in your life can learn new skills and techniques from a professional chef, creating exquisite dishes that range from beef Wellington and Bûche de Noël to homemade pasta and macarons.

In this video, Sur La Table's resident chef Danielle Roberts demonstrates how to make Oaxacan chicken tamales (from December's holiday tamales class). Get familiar with the recipe below, then head here to purchase classes or sign up for yourself.

Oaxacan chicken tamales
Yields three dozen tamales

Ingredients
4 oz. dried Guajillo chile peppers
1 cup water
1 (14 oz.) can fire-roasted tomatoes
1 tsp. cumin seeds, toasted
1 tsp. coriander seeds, toasted
1 tbsp. dried oregano
4 large garlic cloves
1 rotisserie chicken, shredded
2 bay leaves
Sea salt
Black pepper
Fresh lime juice
36 soaked corn husks
5 lbs. masa preparada
Salsa

Directions
Set skillet over medium heat. Add chiles and toast until skins begin to blister. Transfer chiles to cutting board and remove stems and seeds.

Transfer chiles to blender and add water, tomatoes, spices, and garlic. Process until mixture is smooth.

Return sauce to skillet set over medium-high heat and add chicken and bay leaves. Bring sauce to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer to a sauce-like consistency, about 20 minutes. Discard bay leaves, taste, and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and lime juice.

To assemble, lay corn husk flat and spread 1/3 cup masa preparada in center of husk. Flatten to 1/3-inch thickness using back of spoon or tortilla press. Top with 2-3 tablespoons of filling. Fold husk sides toward the middle, then fold pointed tip of the husk down over the filled section. Repeat.

Add steamer basket or rack to an Instant Pot. Pour in water to reach just below basket or rack and arrange tamales facing up. Secure lid and select "pressure" setting on high, setting the timer for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, manually release the pressure and unlock lid.

Remove tamales from husks, spoon salsa over the top, and serve.

Courtesy photo

Shake up your cocktail game with this fall recipe from Waterside's Piattello Italian Kitchen

Recipe Success

Located at Waterside in Fort Worth, Piattello Italian Kitchen — one of CultureMap Fort Worth and Texas Monthly's picks for best new restaurant — has an inventive list of handcrafted cocktails, including the fall-inspired Mele Mele.

Check out the video to see how to whip up the Mele Mele, with its seasonal flavors of apple and pear. Recreate it at home or visit Piattello Italian Kitchen to enjoy the cocktail with a fresh pasta or pizza as the autumn leaves fall.

Plus, there's always something new to try at Waterside. The mixed-use complex has it all: a great location just off the Trinity Trails, fun family events, and a wide variety of shopping and dining options. From new outdoor gear at REI and fresh ingredients at Whole Foods Market to seasonal dishes and cocktails at Waterside's many restaurants, like Piattello Italian Kitchen, now is a great time to stop by.

Hungry for more? Stay tuned for foodie videos hosted by Alex Snodgrass of The Defined Dish to see what other must-try menu items you should taste the next time you visit Waterside.

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'Yellowstone' stars to greet fans at Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

Yellowstone news

Yellowstone fans, get your comfy shoes ready - there'll be a long line for this one. Cole Hauser a.k.a. "Rip Wheeler" on Yellowstone, and Taylor Sheridan, the show's co-creator, executive producer, and director of the series, will meet fans and sign autographs at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

The event will take place from 4:30-6:30 pm only on Friday, February 3. Location is the 6666 Ranch booth near the south end of Aisle 700 in the Amon G. Carter, Jr. Exhibits Hall.

According to a February 2 announcement from FWSSR, "fans will have the opportunity to snag an autograph as well as purchase some distinctive Yellowstone and 6666 Ranch merchandise while also enjoying all the features the Stock Show offers."

The event is free to attend (with paid Stock Show admission) and open to the public.

It's the second year in a row for Hauser to appear at FWSSR; in 2022, he and fellow cast mates drew huge crowds.

Sheridan, a Paschal High School graduate, is no stranger to Fort Worth; he lives in a ranch near Weatherford and filmed 1883, the prequel to Yellowstone, in and around Fort Worth. Currently, another spinoff, 1883: The Bass Reeves Story, is filming in North Texas.

The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo is winding up its 2023 run on Saturday, February 4.

Best restaurants for lunch top this week's 5 hottest Fort Worth headlines

This week's hot headlines

Editor's note: A lot happened this week, so here's your chance to get caught up. Read on for the week's most popular headlines. Looking for the best things to do this weekend? Find that list here.

1. Where to eat in Fort Worth right now: 6 best restaurants to grab lunch. The March edition of Where to Eat, our monthly feature recommending best Fort Worth restaurants to try, centers on a meal that needs some attention: lunch. Here are six Fort Worth restaurants where you can grab a bite for lunch.

2. The top 10 neighborhood restaurants in Fort Worth offer a feeling of home. Up first in our special editorial series leading up the Tastemaker Awards, the category of Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year. These places are close and convenient to established residential neighborhoods and offer a feeling of home that keeps regulars coming back over and over again. Here are the 10 nominees for Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year.

3. Where to drink in Fort Worth right now: 7 best new bars for March. A fresh batch of new bars has popped up in recent weeks, and this round is prime for spring sipping. All offer either expansive patios or picturesque interiors, and there’s plenty of space at each to spread out; so going with a group is welcomed. Live music is also a common theme with this collection of new spots.

4. 10 new ideas for a FOMO-free spring break staycation in Dallas-Fort Worth. It’s spring break time across North Texas. For families who did NOT jet off to ski the slopes or head to the beach, there’s still plenty of fun to be had in Dallas-Fort Worth. We once called this "staying home." Now it's a "staycation!" Here are 10 new ideas for fun things to do, even into the weekend.

5. 5 Texas cities make a splash as best places for family-friendly vacations. Fort Worth families looking to create lasting memories - or just really need a last-minute getaway for spring break - don’t need to look outside their state. In a new report from lawn care company Lawn Love, five Texas cities ranked high as Best Cities for Kid-Friendly Vacations.

Fort Worth's buzzy new Koe Wetzel's Riot Room pops open beer-can chicken

Koe has arrived: Koe Wetzel's Riot Room, a new Fort Worth bar and restaurant in which famed country singer-songwriter Koe Wetzel is partnered, has softly opened in the 7th Street district at 1100 Foch St., with live music and a food menu of Southern and Texas classics.

Wetzel is the Texas-born "outlaw" singer-songwriter who's been blazing a trail with albums such as his most recent release, Hell Paso, which debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard 200.

The new venue is an exciting collaboration put together by hospitality veteran Emil Bragdon, whose Funky Lime Hospitality Concepts portfolio includes Reservoir, The Whiskey Garden, Junk Punch, and Your Mom's House.

Their vision for the Riot Room was a venue steeped in country music culture, a high-energy country bar and restaurant with drinks and live music — and the reason we are here today, a menu of comfort food executed by chef Chad Burnett, and with creative input from Wetzel.

Burnett is a partner and VP of Culinary for Funky Lime Hospitality Concepts who oversees menu development and kitchen design. He worked with Wetzel to give the menu a country focus.

"The food is country-style cooking with a Southern backbone and Texas flair," Burnett says. "So we have cornbread, chicken-fried steak, and brisket that we smoke overnight."

Their signature dish: beer can chicken. Burnett says they put "a lot of love into it."

"We brine it overnight, then smoke them for six hours every day before service," he says. "Our smoker’s only so big, and it's first-come first-serve. You can’t call ahead and reserve."

The cornbread is a "sticky jalapeno & cheddar cornbread" and is one a handful of appetizers along with fried pickles and cheddar-stuffed jalapenos with house-made garlic ranch. Blackened chicken quesadilla and fried catfish fingers with chunky Cajun remoulade can be shared as appetizers or serve as an entree.

For their chicken-fried steak, they get the steak from 44 Farms and offer a Nashville-hot-chicken style of preparation, where it gets dipped in jalapeño oil, then doused with dried jalapeno seasoning.

Their other signature is the Trailer Park Sandwich, featuring two breakfast sausage patties smothered in cheddar cheese and served on a soft, buttery biscuit with strawberry jam.

Last but not least, the burgers.

"Our burgers are some of the best you'll find," Burnett says. "We use a smaller quarter-pound patty, so you can order it with one or two. It's on a brioche bun, nicely toasted, with garlic butter, and the burgers are cooked on a flat top, with raw onion."

Prices are low with the most expensive item topping out at $14.95 for the CFS. "We like to have scratch food prepared with a chef's touch, but offer it at a value," he says.

Wetzel also helped craft the name, which is how they arrived at "riot room."

"The definition a riot in this context is someone who's fun to be around — not with people rioting," says Emil Bragdon. "It's a place you have fun. Inside the venue, we'll have that definition of 'riot': a bunch of people who want to have a good time."