The CultureMap Tastemaker Awards are our annual celebration of San Antonio's top restaurant and bar talent, as selected by their peers. Our mission is to shine a spotlight on the people making the local restaurant scene special and honor their innovation, energy, and creativity.Join us April 4 at the Briscoe Museum for our signature tasting event and awards ceremony, hosted by Sarah Forgany of KENS 5. We’ll celebrate all of the nominees and unveil the winners, and you’ll sample bites and sip specialty drinks along the way.Get to know all of the nominees in a special editorial series leading up to the event, then join us April 4 as we toast the Tastemakers.CultureMap Tastemaker Awards
April 4, 2024
GA 7 pm | VIP 6 pm
Briscoe Museum
NOMINEES
RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Bar Loretta
Cullum's Attaboy
Curry Boys BBQ
Leche de Tigre
Mixtli
Naco Mexican Eatery
NONNA Osteria
Reese Bros Barbecue
Shiro
The MagpieCHEF OF THE YEAR
Andrew Ho, Andrew Samia, and Sean Wen, Curry Boys BBQ
Berty Richter, Ladino
Ceasar Zepeda, Sangria on the Burg, Saucy Birds
Christopher Cullum, Cullum’s Attaboy
Diego Galicia & Rico Torres, Mixtli
Emil Oliva, Leche de Tigre
Francisco Estrada and Lizzeth Martinez, Naco
Jennifer Hwa Dobbertin, Best Quality Daughter
Nicola Blaque, The Jerk Shack
Sue Kim, MagpieBAR OF THE YEAR
Bar Loretta
George's Keep
Hands Down
Holy Diver
The Lonesome Rose
Sojourn Trading Co.
Three Star Bar
Tony's SiestaBEST NEW RESTAURANT
Beacon Hill Market & Deli
Blush
Brenner's on the River Walk
Bombay Bicycle Club at Hemisfair
Box Street Social
El Buen Paladar
El Cevichero Restaurant y Cantina
Freight Fried Chicken
Greenhouse
Hook Land & Sea
Howdy Child
Leche de Tigre
Mr.Ramen
Nineteen Hyaku
Thai Bird
Tokyo CowboyBEST PATIO
Bombay Bicycle Club Downtown
El Camino SA
Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen
La Fogata
La Fonda on Main
La Tuna Icehouse
Little Em’s Oyster Bar
Meadow Neighborhood Eatery + Bar
The Cove
The Good Kind SouthtownPASTRY CHEF OF THE YEAR
Alba Ayala
Alessia Benavides, Chocolatl
Anne Ng and Jeremy Mandrell, Bakery Lorraine
Elise Russ, Clementine
Grecia Ramos, Baked
Jenn Riesman, Rooster Crow Bakery
José and David Cáceres, La Panadería
Tina Kent, Bread BoxNEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Bar Loretta
Barbaro
Clementine
Comfort Café
Con Huevos Tacos
Cullum’s Attaboy
Full Goods Diner
Reese Bros BBQ
Thai Dee
The Box Street SocialBREWERY OF THE YEAR
Alamo Beer Company
Breakaway Brewing Company
Cactus Land Brewing Company
Freetail Brewing Co.
Idle Beer Hall & Brewery
Real Ale Brewing Co.
Vista Brewing
Weathered Souls Brewing Co.
PARTICIPANTS
Alamo Beer Company
2024 Brewery of the Year Nominee
Baked
2024 Pastry Chef of the Year Nominee
Bakery Lorraine
2024 Pastry Chef of the Year Nominee
Bar Loretta
2024 Bar of the Year Nominee, 2024 Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year Nominee, 2024 Restaurant of the Year Nominee
Best Quality Daughter
2024 Chef of the Year Nominee
Breakaway Brewing Company
2024 Brewery of the Year Nominee
CHOCOLATL
2024 Pastry Chef of the Year Nominee
Elsewhere Garden Bar
2024 Best Patio Nominee
Full Goods Diner
2024 Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year Nominee
Howdy Child
2024 Best New Restaurant Nominee
Naco Mexican Eatery
2024 Chef of the Year Nominee, 2024 Restaurant of the Year Nominee
Nineteen Hyaku
2024 Best New Restaurant Nominee
Real Ale Brewing Co
2024 Brewery of the Year Nominee
Sojourn Trading Co.
2024 Bar of the Year Nominee
Thai Bird
2024 Best New Restaurant Nominee
JUDGES
Brianna Caleri
Editor, CultureMap Austin/San Antonio
Brandon Watson
Communications Director — Texas Food & Wine Alliance | Contributor, CultureMap
Edmond Ortiz
Contributing Writer, CultureMap San Antonio
Robbie Nowlin
Chef, Allora, Arrosta
2023 Chef of the Year Winner
Aaron Peña
Owner/Operator, Amor Eterno,
Gimme Gimme, A Perfect Day
2023 Bar of the Year Winner
Nick Reese
Reese Bros BBQ
2023 Best New Restaurant Winner
Brian Reese
Sous Chef, The Magpie
2023 Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year Winner
Sofia Tejeda
UNESCO Chef Ambassador
2023 Pastry Chef of the Year Winner
JUDGES
To Be Announced
More Details Soon
To Be Announced
More Details Soon
To Be Announced
More Details Soon
To Be Announced
More Details Soon
PARTNERS
7 Brew Drive-Thru Coffee
7 Brew is a rapidly growing coffee brand that is revolutionizing how customers experience drive-thru coffee service and think about their morning energy boost. 7 Brew serves espresso-based coffee, chillers, teas, infused energy drinks, sodas, and more, all with an extra boost of kindness from their team. The dream of 7 Brew came alive with the first “stand” in Rogers, Arkansas, and its seven original coffees. Now, 7 Brew boasts more than 200 stands across the country. For more information, visit www.7brew.com and follow 7 Brew on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X.
Tito's Handmade Vodka
Founded by sixth-generation Texan Tito Beveridge, Tito’s Handmade Vodka is known for its high-quality product, charitable contributions, and goal to make people happy while making the world a better place. From the start, Tito got a kick out of infusing vodka for friends and quickly became known as “the vodka guy.” Inspired to do what he loved, he pursued a career in the spirits industry, risking it all until he sold his first case in 1997.
Topo Chico Mineral Water
Topo Chico Sparkling Mineral Water has been bottled at its source in Monterrey, Mexico, since 1895. Refreshing and versatile, it satisfies your thirst or serves as a perfect mixer.
For more information on sponsorship opportunities, email sales@culturemap.com
BENEFICIARY
Food & Wine Alliance
The Texas Food and Wine Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering awareness and innovation in the Texas culinary community through grants and educational programming.
