Celeb Chef Chris Shepherd Brings a Luxury Resort’s Magic to Houston: Restaurants Up the Ante with Foodie Dream Events

From premier cooking classes to one-of-a-kind pop-up dinners, Houston’s culinary scene is comprised of much more than the typical restaurant reservation. Each month brings a bevy of events highlighting some of the city’s best chefs and cuisines through fresh and innovative channels.

So mark your calendars — you’ll want to snag tickets to these five edible soirees.

A Taste of Blackberry Farm 
If anyone can bring Blackberry Farm to Houston, it’s superstar chef Chris Shepherd. The Tennessee-based luxury hotel and resort, which sits on 4,200 acres in the Great Smoky Mountains, has earned a solid reputation for impeccable dining and service. As Shepherd says, “[It’s] the most mystical, magical place on the planet.”

Lucky for Houstonians, Shepherd’s lured a little of that magic to Texas, presenting a duo of dinners with the award-winning Blackberry team. Blackberry’s executive chef Cassidee Dabney, sommelier Andy Chabot, and brewery managing partner Roy Milner head to Underbelly for a family-style dinner on Sunday, April 9. The collaborative meal will salute locally-sourced and seasonal produce and includes four courses and wine pairings (Lookout for bottles from Chabot’s James Beard Award-winning wine list) for $150 (gratuity included).

Monday, April 10 introduces The Barn at One Fifth, which highlights Blackberry Farm’s James Beard Award-winning restaurant The Barn — the venue’s most refined on-site dining experience. Dabney and Chabot present a multi-course, lunch tasting menu with wine pairings for $225 (tax and gratuity not included). Snag your ticket quickly. There are only 25 seats available for this posh lunch. For tickets, click here.

Fool’s Gold 
Aces of Taste puts a posh twist on the April Fool’s holiday with a Fool’s Gold pop-up dinner on Saturday, April 1 at 7 pm. Chef Javani King (formerly Davis St.) presents a four-course menu featuring highlights such as miso-glazed Chilean sea bass, smoked chipotle hen, charred prime Angus ribeye paired with purple sweet potatoes, and a decadent dessert coined popcorn + candy.

Of course, the dinner will channel the spirit of April Fool’s, offering a few surprises along the way. Sweets courtesy Wink By Erika, Jack Daniel’s cocktails, and a live DJ will accompany the meal. Secure your tickets here until April 1 at noon, and use the code PCGOLD20 for 20 percent off. 

The Ultimate Dinner Party
You can always count on B&B Butchers & Restaurant for over-the-top luxury. Grab your most posh group of friends to experience B&B’s newly released 12-course meat tasting, which highlights everything from premium cuts of A5 certified Kobe beef and Japanese Wagyu.

The exclusive tasting in wine pairing, which takes place in B&B’s in-house butcher shop, clocks in at $225 (or $295 with wine pairings) and requires a minimum of eight people — with a maximum of 16 people. Contact kristin@bbbutchers.com or 713.862.1814 to book your reservation — slots are available Monday through Friday after 6 pm.

Dine Like the Royal Tenenbaums
State of Grace’s private dining room will transform into a scene from The Royal Tenenbaums on Wednesday, March 22 at 7 pm as chef Bobby Matos and beverage director Laura Creasy channel the iconic film for a five-course wine dinner ($125).

Start the evening with a wine reception inspired by Royal Tenenbaums character Eli Cash — which will feature San Salvatore “Pian di Stio” Fiano wine paired with oysters on the half shell caramelized fish sauce, thai chile, and cilantro — before indulging in a five-course feast accompanied by Banville Wine.

Head to State of Grace’s Instagram account, @stateofgracetx, for a sneak peek of the night’s menu. Purchase tickets here.

A Feast Fit for Round Top 
The Spring Antique Fair gets a foodie twist as restaurateur Lee Ellis and chef/partner Jim Mills bring their Texas-centric eatery State Fare Bar & Kitchen to Round Top for a one-of-a-kind, scenic dining experience on Tuesday, March 28 from 7 to 10 pm.

The al fresco feast ($85) pops up at Mark Massey’s 57-acre event venue The Compound, and features pre-dinner appetizers, signature cocktails, wine pairings, and a multi-course menu. Snag your tickets here. 

A Brunch 50 Years in the Making
Brennan’s celebrates 50 years with a special brunch cooking class demonstration ($50) on Saturday, March 25 at 10:30 am. Executive chef Danny Trace presents a four-course menu of Brennan’s traditional Snapping Turtle Soup, Egg Sardou, Speckled Trout Almondine, and Crepes Fitzgerald. (Who can resist a crepe filled with white and dark chocolate-dipped Texas strawberries and Creole cream cheese?) 

Brennan’s will also screen the Ella Brennan documentary following the morning’s cooking demonstration. Secure your spot here.