2026 Texas Restaurant Awards winners announced during 89th annual Texas Restaurant Show

2026 Texas Restaurant Awards winners announced during 89th annual Texas Restaurant Show

More than 7,000 hospitality professionals attended the two-day event, an increase of nearly 17% over 2025, reinforcing the Show's position as one of the nation's fastest-growing hospitality events.

SAN ANTONIO, TX (April 23, 2026) - The Texas Restaurant Association hosted its 89th annual Texas Restaurant Show, presented by Eat Local. Eat Often., at the Henry B. González Convention Center on July 12 and 13. The Show welcomed more than 7,000 restaurant, bar and hospitality professionals from more than 400 cities, representing an increase of nearly 17% over the 6,000 attendees recorded in 2025.

As the second-largest restaurant show in the country and the largest hospitality event of its kind in the Southwest, the 2026 Texas Restaurant Show featured more than 600 exhibitor booths, five stages of education and demonstrations, more than 40 speakers and several new live experiences. Exhibitors from across the United States, Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica, Italy and Japan showcased new food and beverage products, technology, equipment and services.

Educational sessions explored artificial intelligence, mergers and acquisitions, workforce development, brand innovation, cultural storytelling, guest experience and digital strategy. The Show's audience also demonstrated significant purchasing power, with more than 82% of surveyed attendees reporting that they make or influence purchasing decisions for their businesses.

"The Texas Restaurant Show continues to grow because Texas is where the future of food and hospitality is taking shape," Tony Abruscato, chief marketing officer at the Texas Restaurant Association, said. "This year's Show brought together thousands of operators, suppliers, chefs, investors and innovators who are helping restaurants navigate a rapidly changing business environment. From emerging technology and global products to live competitions and practical industry education, the Show gives our members and partners a place to build relationships, discover what's next and strengthen one of the most important industries in Texas."

A major addition in 2026 was the debut of the Bar & Nightclub Showcase following the integration of the Texas Bar & Nightclub Convention into the Texas Restaurant Show. The new destination brought restaurant, beverage and nightlife professionals together under one roof, creating additional opportunities for education, networking and business development.

The Showcase featured the Spec's Mixology Lounge, the Spec's Mixology Competition, Behind the Bar educational sessions and exhibitors highlighting beverage innovation, bar equipment, nightlife technology and alcohol-service solutions. More than half of surveyed Show attendees represented businesses with liquor licenses, underscoring the value of the expanded programming and the strength of Texas' on-premise beverage market.

The Show also debuted the Lone Star Tapas Showdown, the first U.S. competition sanctioned by the World Tapas Competition in Valladolid, Spain. Eight chefs from across Texas competed live before a panel of judges, showcasing their creativity, technique and culinary storytelling. Chef David Guerrero of Andes Café in Houston was named the inaugural champion and earned the opportunity to represent Texas at the Tapas North America Championship, the next step toward competing at the World Tapas Championship in Valladolid.

On Sunday evening, the industry gathered at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts for the annual Texas Restaurant Awards, celebrating the restaurants, chefs, educators, advocates, partners and community leaders who exemplify the best of Texas hospitality.

Among the evening's honorees were Rebecca Shi, founding executive director of the American Business Immigration Coalition, and Michael Deheeger, campaign director for ABIC Action, who received the Restaurant Industry Champion Award. Shi and Deheeger were recognized for their leadership in forming Seat the Table, a nationwide alliance of more than 20 agricultural and hospitality organizations advocating for legal work permits for long-term, law-abiding immigrant workers throughout the food supply chain.

Earlier this year, the coalition launched its Keep Food on the Table campaign to mobilize Americans who care about the future of their food and advocate for workforce solutions that help farms, restaurants and the broader food supply chain continue to operate and grow.

"The Texas Restaurant Awards are a powerful reminder that our industry is defined by people who lead with vision, service and heart," Emily Williams Knight, Ed.D., president and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association, said. "This year's honorees represent the very best of Texas hospitality, from restaurateurs and chefs to educators, advocates, partners and community leaders. We are especially proud to recognize leaders who are working to solve some of the most urgent challenges facing our food supply chain."

The 2026 Texas Restaurant Award Winners

Hall of Honor Inductees
Bestowed on industry leaders selected by their peers who have provided at least 15 years of service to the Texas Restaurant Association and exemplify superior business ethics.
Tap Bentz, Another Broken Egg, College Station
Jerry Walker, Conference Hospitality Group, Dallas
Robert and Laurie Lozano, Food & People, McAllen

Outstanding Restaurateur of the Year
Tracy Vaught and Hugo Ortega, H-Town Restaurant Group, Houston

Community Impact Award
Youth With Faces, Dallas

Excellence in Journalism Award
Sarah Blaskovich, The Dallas Morning News

Rising Star Award
Lisa Lee, Agnes and Sherman, Houston

Deep in the Heart Award
Raz Halili, Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House, San Leon

Chef Tim Kelly Award for Educator Excellence
Chef Sherrissa Veal, Dawson High School, Pearland Independent School District

Outstanding Partner of the Year
Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, Dallas

Restaurant Industry Champion Award
Rebecca Shi and Michael Deheeger, American Business Immigration Coalition

Carmelo Mauro Spirit of Generosity Award
Lupita Corbeil and Dawn LaFreeda, Den-Tex Central, San Antonio

Skeeter Miller Excellence in Advocacy Award
Greg den Herder, Amber Green Corporation, Houston

2026 Lone Star Tapas Showdown Winners

First Place
Chef David Guerrero
Andes Café, Houston

Second Place
Chef Kadir Aktas
Herb & Ember, Lavon

Third Place
Chef Sofia Sada
The Culinary Institute of America, San Antonio

In addition to recognizing industry changemakers, the Texas Restaurant Awards raised funds to support the Texas Restaurant Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to developing and strengthening the future of the restaurant workforce.

The Texas Restaurant Association represents the state's $142 billion foodservice industry, encompassing more than 58,000 restaurant locations and a workforce of more than 1.5 million people. To learn more, visit txrestaurant.org.



ABOUT THE TEXAS RESTAURANT SHOW
The Texas Restaurant Show, presented by Eat Local. Eat Often., is the Texas Restaurant Association's annual restaurant, bar and foodservice expo. The largest event of its kind in the Southwest, the Show features cutting-edge exhibits, educational programming, live competitions and interactive experiences designed to help hospitality businesses grow and thrive. Backed by 89 years of industry leadership, the Show is a must-attend event for restaurant and bar operators, chefs, executives, suppliers and foodservice professionals. For more information, visit www.txrestaurantshow.com.

ABOUT THE TEXAS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION
Formed in 1937, the Texas Restaurant Association serves as the leading advocate and resource for the foodservice industry in Texas. Representing the state's $142 billion restaurant industry and more than 58,000 locations, TRA works to protect, advance and educate an industry that employs more than 1.5 million Texans. Alongside the Texas Restaurant Foundation, TRA continues to drive growth, innovation and opportunity throughout the hospitality sector. For more information, visit www.txrestaurant.org.

ABOUT THE TEXAS RESTAURANT FOUNDATION
Established in 1994 by the Texas Restaurant Association, the Texas Restaurant Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to building and sustaining a strong professional foodservice workforce in Texas. Leveraging the latest skills, tools and certifications, TRF creates pathways of opportunity for one of the state's largest and most diverse industries.
The organization's flagship program is Texas ProStart, an industry-based, two-year high school culinary arts and restaurant management program. TRF also supports restaurants and their employees in times of crisis. In 2020, the Foundation established the TX Restaurant Relief Fund, raising and distributing more than $3.5 million to support more than 800 independent restaurants and their employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.