Lineup & Schedule

About

Tickets

Planning

Supporters

Lineup

Lineup & Schedule

About

Tickets

Planning

Supporters

Lineup

October 5

Houston, TX

Thank you to everyone who cooked, poured, and attended in 2024. You helped us raised $1.5 million to support food and beverage workers nationwide. We couldn’t do what we do without you.

Lineup

Schedule

Chefs

Ope
Amosu

Houston, TX

ChòpnBlọk

Lee
Anne Wong

Honolulu, HI

Koko Head Cafe

Angel
Barreto

Washington, D.C.

Anju

Aaron
Bludorn

Houston, TX

Bludorn, Navy Blue, Bar Bludorn, & Perseid

Leonard
Botello IV

Houston, TX

Truth BBQ

Jeff
Chanchaleune

Oklahoma City, OK

Ma Der Lao Kitchen & Bar Sen

Emmanuel
Chavez

Houston, TX

Tatemó

Ashley
Christensen

Raleigh, NC

Poole's Diner

Trong
& Cory Nguyen

Houston, TX

Crawfish & Noodles

Isabel
Coss

Washington, DC

Pascual, Lutece, Maison

Kari
Crowe Seher

Fort Worth, TX

MELT Ice Creams

Cassidee
Dabney

Walland, TN

The Barn at Blackberry Farm®

Abbas
Dhanani

Houston, TX

Burger Bodega

Renee
Erickson

Seattle, WA

The Walrus and the Carpenter

Chelsea
Fadda

Austin, TX

Pecan Square Cafe

Tim
Flores & Genie Kwon

Chicago, IL

Kasama

Sam
Fore

Lexington, KY

The SnackEasy/Tuk Tuk Snack Shop

Aaron
Franklin

Austin, TX

Franklin Barbecue

Terrence
Gallivan

Houston, TX

Greg
Gatlin

Houston, TX

Gatlin’s BBQ, Gatlin’s Fins & Feathers

Sarah
Grueneberg & Bailey Sullivan

Chicago, IL

Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio

Meherwan
Irani

Asheville, NC

Chai Pani

Benchawan
Jabthong Painter

Houston, TX

Street to Kitchen

Joe
Kindred

Davidson, NC

Kindred

Cheetie
Kumar

Raleigh, NC

Ajja & Big Cat

Ryan
Lachaine

Houston, TX

Henry
Lu & Evelyn Garcia

Houston, TX

Jūn

Tracy
Malechek-Ezekiel

Austin, TX

Birdie’s

Benjy
Mason

Houston, TX

Johnny's Gold Brick

Rebecca
Masson

Houston, TX

Fluff Bake Bar

Lucas
McKinney

Houston, TX

Josephine’s

Don
Nguyen

Houston, TX

Khói Barbecue

Ryan
Pera

Houston, TX

Eight Row Flint

Mike
Pham

Houston, TX

Trill Burger

Felipe
Riccio and Austin Waiter

Houston, TX

Rosie Cannonball

Edgar
Rico

Austin, TX

Nixta Taqueria

Jordan
Rubin

Freeport, ME

Mr. Tuna

Jason
Ryczek

Houston, TX

Little’s Oyster Bar

Caroline
Schiff

New York, NY

Monday Diner

Rodney
Scott

Charleston, SC

Rodney Scott’s BBQ

Seth
Siegel-Gardner

Houston, TX

Milton's

Austin
Simmons

The Woodlands, TX

TRIS

Erin
Smith & Patrick Feges

Houston, TX

Feges BBQ

Jason
Stanhope

Charleston, SC

Sullivan's Fish Camp

Martin
Stayer

Houston, TX

Nobie’s, The Toasted Coconut, Quiote, Nonno’s Family Pizza Tavern

Michelle
Wallace

Houston, TX

B’tween Sandwich Co.

Robin
Wong, Terry Wong, and Quy Hoang

Houston, TX

Blood Bros. BBQ

Ana
and Lydia Castro

New Orleans, LA

Acamaya

2024 Class of Food & Wine Best New Chefs

Nicole
Cabrera Mills

New Orleans, la

Peche Seafood Grill

Wedchayan
"Deau" Arpapornnopparat

Los Angeles, Ca

Holy Basil

Silver
Iocovozzi

Asheville, NC

Neng Jr.'s

Lawrence
"LT" Smith

Phoenix, Az

Chilte

Camari
Mick

New York, NY

The Musket Room, Raf's

Karyn
Tomlinson

Saint Paul, mn

Myriel

Yeti Culinary Stage Demo Chefs

Tavel
Bristol-Joseph

Austin, TX

Canje

Ana
Castro

New Orleans, LA

Acamaya

Mason
Hereford

New Orleans, LA

Turkey and the Wolf

Pat
Martin

Nashville, TN

Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint

Fermín
Núñez

Austin, TX

Suerte

Christina
Tosi

New York, NY

Milk Bar

Lexus VIP Chefs

Billy
Durney

Brooklyn, NY

Hometown BBQ

Kate
McLean

Houston, TX

Tony’s

Paola
Velez

Washington, DC

Bodega Bakes, Dōekï Dōekï

Bartenders

Alba
Huerta

Houston, TX

Julep

Travis
Tober

Texas

Nickel City

Sean
Umstead

Durham, NC

Kingfisher

Justin
Ware

Houston, TX

Johnny’s Gold Brick

Wine Bars

13
Celsius

Houston, TX

Bacchanal

New Orleans, LA

Central
Market

Texas

Lees
Den

Houston, TX

Lolo

Austin, TX

Montrose
Cheese & Wine

Houston, TX

Oakwood
Pizza Box

Raleigh, NC

Stella's
Wine Bar

The
Library

Houston, TX

The
Roots Fund

The Throwdown

Saturday, October 05, 2024

4:00–8:00PM

Discovery Green | 1500 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010

Purchase Tickets

General admission tickets: Your ticket includes all of the food, drinks, and live music you can handle starting at 4:00 p.m. GA ticket holders can experience the new Yeti Culinary Stage, get cookbooks signed by their favorite chefs, and meet the 2024 Food & Wine Best New Chefs.

Lexus VIP tickets: Lexus VIP tickets include all of the food, drinks, and live music you can handle starting at 3:00 p.m. (early admission). VIP tickets also include access to the exclusive air-conditioned Lexus VIP area inside The Grove and gifts from the Southern Smoke Foundation gift wheel. VIP chefs Billy Durney, Kate McLean, and Paola Velez will be serving bites inside The Grove, and Alba Huerta will be behind the bar.

Chef sponsorships: Become a chef sponsor and experience SSF24 like an industry pro–early admission before VIP, exclusive events, and more!

Lineup

Schedule

Chefs

Ope
Amosu

Houston, TX

ChòpnBlọk

Lee
Anne Wong

Honolulu, HI

Koko Head Cafe

Angel
Barreto

Washington, D.C.

Anju

Aaron
Bludorn

Houston, TX

Bludorn, Navy Blue, Bar Bludorn, & Perseid

Leonard
Botello IV

Houston, TX

Truth BBQ

Jeff
Chanchaleune

Oklahoma City, OK

Ma Der Lao Kitchen & Bar Sen

Emmanuel
Chavez

Houston, TX

Tatemó

Ashley
Christensen

Raleigh, NC

Poole's Diner

Trong
& Cory Nguyen

Houston, TX

Crawfish & Noodles

Isabel
Coss

Washington, DC

Pascual, Lutece, Maison

Kari
Crowe Seher

Fort Worth, TX

MELT Ice Creams

Cassidee
Dabney

Walland, TN

The Barn at Blackberry Farm®

Abbas
Dhanani

Houston, TX

Burger Bodega

Renee
Erickson

Seattle, WA

The Walrus and the Carpenter

Chelsea
Fadda

Austin, TX

Pecan Square Cafe

Tim
Flores & Genie Kwon

Chicago, IL

Kasama

Sam
Fore

Lexington, KY

The SnackEasy/Tuk Tuk Snack Shop

Aaron
Franklin

Austin, TX

Franklin Barbecue

Terrence
Gallivan

Houston, TX

Greg
Gatlin

Houston, TX

Gatlin’s BBQ, Gatlin’s Fins & Feathers

Sarah
Grueneberg & Bailey Sullivan

Chicago, IL

Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio

Meherwan
Irani

Asheville, NC

Chai Pani

Benchawan
Jabthong Painter

Houston, TX

Street to Kitchen

Joe
Kindred

Davidson, NC

Kindred

Cheetie
Kumar

Raleigh, NC

Ajja & Big Cat

Ryan
Lachaine

Houston, TX

Henry
Lu & Evelyn Garcia

Houston, TX

Jūn

Tracy
Malechek-Ezekiel

Austin, TX

Birdie’s

Benjy
Mason

Houston, TX

Johnny's Gold Brick

Rebecca
Masson

Houston, TX

Fluff Bake Bar

Lucas
McKinney

Houston, TX

Josephine’s

Don
Nguyen

Houston, TX

Khói Barbecue

Ryan
Pera

Houston, TX

Eight Row Flint

Mike
Pham

Houston, TX

Trill Burger

Felipe
Riccio and Austin Waiter

Houston, TX

Rosie Cannonball

Edgar
Rico

Austin, TX

Nixta Taqueria

Jordan
Rubin

Freeport, ME

Mr. Tuna

Jason
Ryczek

Houston, TX

Little’s Oyster Bar

Caroline
Schiff

New York, NY

Monday Diner

Rodney
Scott

Charleston, SC

Rodney Scott’s BBQ

Seth
Siegel-Gardner

Houston, TX

Milton's

Austin
Simmons

The Woodlands, TX

TRIS

Erin
Smith & Patrick Feges

Houston, TX

Feges BBQ

Jason
Stanhope

Charleston, SC

Sullivan's Fish Camp

Martin
Stayer

Houston, TX

Nobie’s, The Toasted Coconut, Quiote, Nonno’s Family Pizza Tavern

Michelle
Wallace

Houston, TX

B’tween Sandwich Co.

Robin
Wong, Terry Wong, and Quy Hoang

Houston, TX

Blood Bros. BBQ

Ana
and Lydia Castro

New Orleans, LA

Acamaya

2024 Class of Food & Wine Best New Chefs

Nicole
Cabrera Mills

New Orleans, la

Peche Seafood Grill

Wedchayan
"Deau" Arpapornnopparat

Los Angeles, Ca

Holy Basil

Silver
Iocovozzi

Asheville, NC

Neng Jr.'s

Lawrence
"LT" Smith

Phoenix, Az

Chilte

Camari
Mick

New York, NY

The Musket Room, Raf's

Karyn
Tomlinson

Saint Paul, mn

Myriel

Yeti Culinary Stage Demo Chefs

Tavel
Bristol-Joseph

Austin, TX

Canje

Ana
Castro

New Orleans, LA

Acamaya

Mason
Hereford

New Orleans, LA

Turkey and the Wolf

Pat
Martin

Nashville, TN

Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint

Fermín
Núñez

Austin, TX

Suerte

Christina
Tosi

New York, NY

Milk Bar

Lexus VIP Chefs

Billy
Durney

Brooklyn, NY

Hometown BBQ

Kate
McLean

Houston, TX

Tony’s

Paola
Velez

Washington, DC

Bodega Bakes, Dōekï Dōekï

Bartenders

Alba
Huerta

Houston, TX

Julep

Travis
Tober

Texas

Nickel City

Sean
Umstead

Durham, NC

Kingfisher

Justin
Ware

Houston, TX

Johnny’s Gold Brick

Wine Bars

13
Celsius

Houston, TX

Bacchanal

New Orleans, LA

Central
Market

Texas

Lees
Den

Houston, TX

Lolo

Austin, TX

Montrose
Cheese & Wine

Houston, TX

Oakwood
Pizza Box

Raleigh, NC

Stella's
Wine Bar

The
Library

Houston, TX

The
Roots Fund

The Throwdown

Saturday, October 05, 2024

4:00–8:00PM

Discovery Green | 1500 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010

Purchase Tickets

Chef sponsorships: Become a chef sponsor and experience SSF24 like an industry pro–early admission before VIP, exclusive events, and more!

Story

Eat well. Do good.

One night in 2015, Chris’s friend and former sommelier Antonio Gianola asked if Chris could host a fundraiser for the MS Society. After learning Antonio had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis earlier that week, Chris decided to throw a party with some of his chef and pit master friends and ultimately raised $181,000 for the MS Society.

The event grew each year, with more chefs from around the country traveling to Houston to raise money for a great cause. When Hurricane Harvey devastated Houston and the food and beverage industry, we quickly changed our mission for both the Southern Smoke Festival and the Foundation to provide financial assistance to anyone in the food and beverage in crisis nationwide. We continue to serve up flavors from some of the country’s best chefs at our annual festival, all to benefit our fellow industry workers across the U.S.

Food & Wine magazine calls our three-day weekend “unmissable.” The Houston Chronicle calls it “an over-the-top barbecue-beer-and-wine festival.”

We call it our favorite way to get together. Every time you buy a festival ticket, piece of merch, or bid on an auction item, the profits directly support our Emergency Relief Fund and general operations, which gets industry individuals financial help just as soon as they need it. Grants have been used to pay for essentials like groceries, clothing, and medications, and have covered the cost of car repossessions, rent, natural disaster damages, lost wages, and more.

To date, we’ve distributed more than $12 million directly to people in need, and with your support—by wining and dining your way through the weekend—we’re able to help even more of those in need.

Cheers to a damn good time.

Past Festivals

FAQ

What is Southern Smoke Foundation?

Southern Smoke Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded by Chef Chris Shepherd in 2015 for people in the food and beverage industry. Through our Emergency Relief Fund, we provide funds directly to people in need that are battling health crises, winter storm damage, natural disasters, and other unforeseen events. Through our mental health program, Behind You, we provide no-cost counseling to F+B workers in multiple states. We are the safety net for the American food and beverage industry. Our mission is to take care of our own each and every day.

Where’s my money going?

Southern Smoke Festival is Southern Smoke Foundation’s largest fundraiser. Money raised for our main event The Throwdown will go toward Southern Smoke Foundation’s Emergency Relief Fund, which directly impacts food and beverage workers in crisis nationwide, and Behind You, Southern Smoke Foundation’s program providing no-cost mental health counseling to F+B workers in multiple states. Approximately 15 percent of all funds raised will go to Southern Smoke Foundation’s general operations to ensure the organization can run at its highest capabilities. View Southern Smoke Foundation’s impact to-date here.

Are festival tickets available?

Tickets are on sale now! Click here to purchase.

Are sponsorship opportunities still available?

Absolutely! We have some awesome partners at our side, and we love getting to know more rock stars who want to support our mission for the 2024 festival and beyond. Want to chat? Please contact Caroline Nabors at caroline@southernsmoke.org to inquire about sponsorships.

Can I come and go from the event?

There is no re-entry for any of our Southern Smoke Festival events.

What happens if it rains?

We’ve reserved the George R. Brown Convention Center in case it rains.

Is the festival kid-friendly?

We will be checking IDs at the door at all events, and you must show your ID to enter and drink alcohol. Anyone over the age of 3 must purchase a ticket. Strollers are not permitted. There are no discounts for a child’s ticket.

Is the festival pet-friendly?

No, we will not be permitting animals at any of the Southern Smoke Festival events. *With the exception of medically advised service animals.

Will the festival have vegetarian options?

Each participating chef will be featuring a dish of their choice. We will post each chef’s dish prior to the festival.

Can you bring outside food and drink into the event?

No food or drink is permitted into any of our Southern Smoke Festival events.

Where do I enter?

All VIP ticketholders enter at The Grove, 1611 Lamar.

All general admission ticket holders enter at Discovery Green off Avenida de las Americas.

View the sitemap here.

Media Inquiries Volunteer Form

General Admission

Lexus VIP - SOLD OUT

Local Chef Supporter - SOLD OUT

Visiting Chef Supporter

General Admission

$ 225

October 5, 2024
| 4:00PM

Discovery Green

Your ticket includes all of the food, drinks, and live music you can handle starting at 4:00 p.m. GA ticket holders can experience the new Yeti Culinary Stage, get cookbooks signed by their favorite chefs and meet the 2024 Food & Wine Best New Chefs.

Purchase Tickets

Lexus VIP - SOLD OUT

$ 500

October 5, 2024
| 3:00PM

Discovery Green and The Grove

Lexus VIP tickets include all of the food, drinks, and live music you can handle starting at 3:00 p.m. (early admission). VIP tickets also include access to the exclusive air-conditioned Lexus VIP area inside The Grove and gifts from the Southern Smoke Foundation gift wheel. VIP chefs Billy Durney, Kate McLean, and Paola Velez will be serving bites inside The Grove, and Alba Huerta will be behind the bar.

Local Chef Supporter - SOLD OUT

$ 5000

October 5, 2024
| 2:30PM

Discovery Green and The Grove

Show your support by sponsoring an SSF24 chef! Your sponsorship will cover the cost of food and equipment for one local SSF chef of your choice on a first-come, first-served basis. Plus, you can skip the line for your chef (2 people only), and their signage and menu will list your name as their chef presenter.

You’ll also receive:
– 2 VIP tickets with early entry at 2:30pm (even earlier than VIP entry) for Chris Shepherd’s pre-shift speech with all the chefs.
– an invitation for 2 to attend the Chef Welcome Party on October 3.

The list of available chefs on the ticketing page is updated in real time. Please email caroline@southernsmoke.org to confirm your chef immediately after purchase.

Visiting Chef Supporter

$ 10000

October 5, 2024
| 2:30PM

Discovery Green and The Grove

Show your support by sponsoring an SSF24 chef! Your sponsorship will cover the cost of travel, lodging, and food for one SSF chef of your choice on a first-come, first-served basis. Plus, you can skip the line for your chef (2 people only), and their signage and menu will list your name as their chef presenter.

The list of available chefs on the ticketing page is updated in real time. Please email caroline@southernsmoke.org to confirm your chef immediately after purchase.

Sponsor a Visiting Chef!

Lodging

LODGING

Four Seasons Hotel Houston

1300 Lamar St, Houston, TX 77010

We’re so honored to have the Four Seasons Hotel Houston as the Official Hotel Sponsor of Southern Smoke Festival 2024. The Four Seasons is located in the heart of the city, and with its boldly stylish rooms and lavish amenities, it redefines the idea of modern indulgence in a luxe hotel experience. Room rates for Southern Smoke Festival guests begin at $335/night.

BOOK A ROOM

Introduction

Presenting Supporter

Official VIP and Automobile Supporter

Official Hotel Partner

Official Culinary Stage Supporter

Official Beer Supporter

Official Canned Cocktail Supporter

Official Water Supporter

Official Apron Supporter

2024 Festival Partners

In-Kind Supporters

Together, we feed the good.

Southern Smoke Festival is a one-of-a-kind event that brings together foodies and culinary titans while supporting members of the food and beverage industry nationwide in crisis. There are few things we love more than throwing a huge party, but we definitely can’t do it without our sponsors.

We are grateful for the people, organizations, and businesses that put their weight behind Southern Smoke Festival. You all rock. If you’re interested in helping us make Southern Smoke Festival 2024 the best it’s ever been, then we’d love to hear from you.

Interested in sponsorship?