About

Tickets

Planning

Supporters

Lineup

Lineup & Schedule

About

Tickets

Planning

Supporters

Lineup

October 3

Houston, TX

At Southern Smoke Festival on October 3, 2026, you’ll get bites from some of the best chefs in the country, excellent drinks poured by top bartenders, live music, culinary demos, and all the big-hearted energy that makes this weekend so special. Get ready for a celebration of food, community, and the people who make this industry shine.

Lineup

Schedule

The Throwdown

Saturday, October 03, 2026

4:00–8:00PM

Discovery Green | 1500 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010

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 YETI Culinary Stage, get cookbooks signed by their favorite chefs, and meet the 2026 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, surprises from the Southern Smoke Foundation gift wheel, premium wines and bites, and dedicated VIP bars.

Talent Supporters: Show your support by sponsoring a SSF26 chef or beverage talent and experience SSF26 like an industry pro–early admission before VIP, exclusive events, and more! Sponsors from SSF25 have the first right of refusal, followed by early birds in order of purchase.

Lineup

Schedule

The Throwdown

Saturday, October 03, 2026

4:00–8:00PM

Discovery Green | 1500 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010

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.” Yahoo Travel named it one of the 8 best food festivals in the U.S.

We call it our favorite way to get together. Every time you buy a festival ticket or piece of merch, 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 $15.3 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?

Not yet! Tickets will be available for purchase in May.

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 2026 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.

What is Southern Smoke Festival's Code of Conduct Policy?

The Southern Smoke Festival is more than just a culinary event—it’s a vibrant community that brings together chefs, volunteers, sponsors, vendors, attendees, and staff. Our mission is to celebrate food, culture, and community while supporting those in the food and beverage industry. We are committed to fostering an environment that is safe, inclusive, and respectful for all participants.

Purpose
This Code of Conduct outlines our expectations for behavior during the Southern Smoke Festival and provides guidance on how to report incidents of misconduct. Our goals are to:

Educate our community about acceptable and unacceptable behaviors.
Establish clear reporting mechanisms for misconduct.
Describe our response process, including potential consequences.
Provide resources and support for those affected by misconduct.

Scope
This policy applies to all individuals participating in the Southern Smoke Festival, including but not limited to:

Employees
Volunteers
Contractors
Vendors
Sponsors
Committee members
Event attendees
Other affiliates

It covers behavior at all festival-related events, whether in person or online, including:

Official festival venues
Sponsored events and after-parties
Online platforms and social media channels associated with the festival

Core Values and Expectations
We expect all participants to:

Respect personal boundaries: Obtain consent before physical contact and honor others’ comfort levels.
Be mindful of power dynamics: Recognize and avoid exploiting positions of authority.
Uphold professionalism: Engage in respectful communication and behavior that reflects positively on the festival community.
Promote inclusivity: Celebrate diversity and ensure that all individuals feel welcome and valued.

Prohibited Conduct
The following behaviors are unacceptable and may result in removal from the festival and other consequences:

Discrimination: Unjust treatment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, national origin, or any other protected class.
Harassment: Unwelcome conduct (verbal, written, physical, psychological, or visual) that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.
Intimidation: Actions intended to control or cause harm to others or their property.
Online harassment: Harmful or offensive conduct via digital platforms.
Retaliation: Adverse actions against individuals for reporting misconduct or participating in investigations.
Sexual exploitation: Taking sexual advantage of another person without consent, including non-consensual recording or sharing of sexual activity.
Unwelcome physical contact: Touching someone without their permission.

Alcohol and Substance Use
While the Southern Smoke Festival may involve the responsible consumption of alcohol, we expect all participants to:

Consume responsibly: Avoid excessive drinking that impairs judgment or behavior.
Refrain from illegal substances: The use of illegal drugs is strictly prohibited.
Maintain professionalism: Alcohol or substance use does not excuse misconduct.

Reporting Misconduct
If you experience or witness misconduct, please report it promptly. You can:

Contact festival leadership: Speak with a designated staff member or volunteer.
Submit a report: Email info@southernsmoke.org.

We are committed to handling all reports with confidentiality and respect. If you witness or experience misconduct at the Southern Smoke Festival, you should report it to the appropriate authorities, including local law enforcement and onsite security.

Support and Resources
We are dedicated to supporting those affected by misconduct. Resources include:

Local support services:

City of Houston 3-1-1: For general concerns and non-emergency issues at public events, contact the City of Houston’s 3-1-1 Service Center at 3-1-1 or 713.837.031 or visit https://www.houstontx.gov/311/.
Houston Area Women’s Center: Provides vital safety information and resources both to victims/survivors of sexual and domestic violence and to their family. Visit https://hawc.org/ for more information.

National resources:

National Sexual Assault Hotline: (800) 656-HOPE (4673)
VictimConnect Resource Center: (855) 484-2846

Conclusion
The Southern Smoke Festival is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable experience for all. By adhering to this Code of Conduct, we can ensure a positive environment that reflects our shared values and mission.

Media Inquiries Volunteer Inquiries

General Admission

Lexus VIP

Talent Supporter

General Admission

$ 195

October 3, 2026
| 4:00PM

Discovery Green

General Admission tickets are specially discounted during pre-sale, so getting in early means getting the best deal of the year. 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 YETI Culinary Stage, get cookbooks signed by their favorite chefs and meet the 2026 Food & Wine Best New Chefs.

Purchase Tickets

Lexus VIP

$ 550

October 3, 2026
| 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, surprises from the Southern Smoke Foundation gift wheel, premium wines and bites, and dedicated VIP bars.

Purchase Tickets

Talent Supporter

$ 5000

October 3, 2026
| 2:30PM

Discovery Green and The Grove

Show your support by sponsoring a SSF26 chef or beverage pro! Our 2026 Chef Lineup may not be announced, but with our history of top-tier talent, you’ll be glad you got in early. After the lineup has been announced, chef selection will occur in purchase order, with last year’s sponsors getting first right of refusal. Your talent sponsorship will help us cover their travel, lodging, food, and equipment costs so we can put more money toward our mission. As a talent sponsor, you will receive the following benefits:
– Two early entry (2:30 PM) VVIP tickets to hear Chris Shepherd’s pre-shift speech to the talent.
– The ability to skip the line at your tent.
– Your name will be featured as a chef presenter on the tent signage and our website.
– An invitation for two to the SSF Talent Welcome Party on Thursday, October 1, 2026.

Purchase Tickets

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 Partner of Southern Smoke Festival 2025. 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 $345/night.

BOOK A ROOM

Introduction

Presenting Supporter

Official VIP and Vehicle Supporter

Official Hotel Partner

Official Culinary Stage Supporter

Official Beer Supporter

Official Non-Alcoholic Beer Supporter

Official Canned Cocktail Supporter

Official Supporter of the Food & Wine Best New Chefs

Official Media Supporter

Official Water Supporter

Official Apron Supporter

2025 Festival Partners

In-Kind Supporters

Together, we feed the good.

Southern Smoke Festival presented by Sysco 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 2025 presented by Sysco the best it’s ever been, then we’d love to hear from you.

Interested in sponsorship?

Please reach out to caroline@southernsmoke.org.