Cochon5555

 
 
 
 
 

On May 21st five of Houston’s chefs competed in the Grand Cochon555, a national championship competition for pork-based cooking. This highly anticipated event began as a way of educating the public on heritage breed pigs. The event is also dedicated to supporting family farmers and educating chefs and diners about the agricultural importance of Old World livestock. General admission included: Endless rounds of craft cocktails, boutique wines, artisanal charcuterie, and farmhouse cheeses. 

Competing chefs were...

  •  Luis Rogers from BCN Taste & Tradition
  • Felix Florez at Ritual
  • Bobby Matos from State of Grace
  • Manabu Horiuchi at Kata Robata
  • Monica Pope, formerly of Sparrow Cookshop

These chefs competed with six distinctive bites created from a 200 pound heritage breed pig for a panel of judges. HFBC members were out in full force enjoying the food, drinks, atmosphere, and of course foodie fun.

 

 
 
 
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A Taste of the Florida Keys

 

On April 19th HFBC members were invited to a small gathering at The Oceanaire Seafood Room in Houston's Galleria for A Taste of the Florida Keys event. Attendees learned what's new in Keys travel, especially cuisine, arts & culture and adventure excursions. Key highlights of the evening were :

  • Savoring indigenous Keys seafood
  • Signature Florida Keys cocktail  
  • Planning a road trip down the Keys Overseas Highway
  • Learning how to blow a conch shell from a native Key West "conch"
  • Discovering continental America's only coral barrier reef
 
 

HFBC bloggers that attended the event had an awesome time and took some amazing pics of the food.  To see more event coverage from The Hurried Hostess and 2 Girls Who Travel click on their images above. 

 

The Key Lime Martini and Key Lime Pie were a big hit at the event. 

Photos by: 2 Girls Who Travel

The event also included fun giveaways like this mini rum, and this impressive cheese and fruit assortment. If you can't make it to the Florida Keys this event is about as close as you can get. A special thanks to The Florida Keys and Key West for the invite. 

 

Erin Creeks

Co-Marketing Chair

 

A Kurios Dinner at Peli Peli

 
 

Photo by : Black Girls Who Brunch

The circus came to town, the Cirque du Soliel circuit that is, and with it came their latest creation, Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities. The show is based on the adventures of a Seeker that travels to exotic and curios lands, so it only makes sense that Cirque du Soliel would collaborate with the deliciously exotic Peli Peli, for a Kurios themed dinner.  Peli Peli's cuisine, known as South African Fusion, features authentic South African delicacies and traditional American proteins like steak, chicken and seafood. The restaurant also includes marinades, seasonings and spices in their dishes that are used from in Dutch, Portuguese and other Asian influences. I'm sure your curious as to what was on the menu so let's get into it. 

Appetizer 

Bobotie * Wine & Food Award-Winner

Curried Ground Beef, Carrot Bredie, Flaky Pastry Crust, and Mango Chutney

Entree

 Duck Liver Pate Sliders

Beef Tongue

Grilled and Basted Beef Tongue, Sauteed Vegetables, Corn Wheels, Peli Mustard, and Kudo Seasoning

Espetada Traditional Portuguese Dish with Pork Belly and Chicken

Basted Filet, Garlic Herb Butter, Sauteed Baby Spinach, Roasted Red Potatoes, Carrot Bredie

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Fried Kingklip with Creamy Scampi Butter Sauce

Pan-Seared Kingklip over Sauteed Baby Spinach, Shredded Scallops, Butter Cream Sauce and Peli Herb Mix

Dessert

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Pistachio Nougat Ice Cream with Turkish Delight

Photo by: Dash of Jazz

Peli Peli has even more on their menu that includes brunch, lunch, and dinner options. This dinner took place at the Galleria location, but there is also another location in Vintage Park, and the Peli Peli Kitchen in the Memorial area. The Peli Peli Kitchen offers a more fast casual dining experience, but no worries, there is no shortage on flavor and imagination. Kurios- Cabinet of Curiosities runs until May 21st, but it's safe to say that Peli Peli will be around for a very long time.

 

Erin Creeks

HFBC Marketing Co-Chair

 
 

Happy Hour at Sambuca

 

Photo by: Hurried Hostess

Photo by: MsIndependent

 
 

The HFBC was invited to Happy Hour in downtown Houston at the very hip and happening Sambuca Restaurant. If you've never experienced the sites, sounds, and flavor of Sambuca, it's definitely worth taking a trip to 909 Texas Avenue to see what this self described "rockin’ restaurant" is all about. The menu is all American, and the nightly live music and swanky patio makes the perfect setting for business professionals to unwind and experience the happiest of happy hours.

 
 

For Happy Hour each food blogger was given two drink tickets to use toward any cocktail. Sambuca offers $4 House Cocktails like the Mango Tango Mai Tai, Coconut Mojito, and Cucumber Pineapple Crush to name a few. There are also $3 beers,  $4 craft beer and wine, and other cocktails options like $5 You Call Its, and even premium cocktails for only $6 during happy hour.

 

Photo by: Hurried Hostess

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The Eats

 

We were offered a pretty impressive assortment of food items to sample. Pictured below is a feast for your eyes on all the delicious gourmet foods we feasted on that evening.

 

Photo by: MsIndependent

Charchuterie Board

Elk Summer Sausage, Venision Sausage and Duck Salami with White and Yellow Cheeses,  Hard and Soft Goat Cheeses and a Trio of Jams

 

Lobster Deviled Eggs

Photos by : MsIndependent

Sun- Dried Tomato Basil Croquettes

 

Mini Korean Chicken Tostadas

 

Photo by: Hurried Hostess

Bianca Flatbread

Creamy White Cheese, Fresh Mozzerela, Prosciutto, Sun-Dried Tomato, Fresh Basil, Crushed Red Pepper and Parmesan Cheese

 
 

The Mini Korean Tostadas were the big hit of the night, but I also put a significant dent in the Charchuterie Board. Happy Hour at Sambuca are Monday-Friday from 4pm-7pm. Food items like the ones seen here are offered 2 for $15 Sunday-Wednesday after 7pm. We enjoyed time mixing and mingling for HH at Sambuca, and I am sure many of us will be back soon. 

 
 

Written by Erin Creeks

Co-Marketing Chair

 

Houston Press Menu of Menus Extravaganza Recap

On Tuesday, April 4th, members of the Houston Food Blogger Collective were invited to attend Houston Press's 15th Annual Menu of Menus Extravaganza.

Photo credit: Dat Food Porn

Photo credit: Dat Food Porn

The HFBC crew and hundreds of Houston food lovers gathered at Silver Street Studios to enjoy tastings from over 40 local restaurants alongside wine, beer and cocktail samplings.

Attendees were treated to everything from walls of donuts, raw oysters, tacos, and mini parfaits. 

Photo credit: The Leo Chronicles

Photo credit: The Leo Chronicles

All attendees were gifted with a Houston Press Menu of Menus wine glass as well as a token to cast your vote for favorite booth.

Photo credit: Cuc Lam

Photo credit: Cuc Lam

The event also included an Iron Fork competition featuring Chefs Lyle Bento of Southern Goods and Gary Ly of Underbelly. One of HFBC's very own, Cuc Lam of Just Cuc It, participated in the judging. 

Both competitors were surprised to learn that their Sous Chefs of the night would be local food legends, Chefs Robert Del Grande of Cafe Annie and John Sheely of Mockingbird Bistro. 

In the end, Chef Lyle Bento took home the win with the clever use of the secret ingredient, local Buffalo Bayou honey, in his Whole Fried Trout with Vietnamese sweet and tangy sauce. 

We've gotta admit, we're jealous that Cuc got to taste these amazing dishes!

Photo credit: Foodies gonna Food

Photo credit: Foodies gonna Food

As for the most-voted booth of the night, the honor went to Peli Peli with their delicious Huguenot pork belly pretzel bun sliders. 

Congratulations to all the winners, although we like to believe that everyone was a winner that night with all the delicious food and drinks!

First Look Tasting: Potente

 
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On February 22, HFBC members were invited to be among the first to experience the new high-end Italian eatery, Potente. The restaurant is owned by Astros owner Jim Crane's, and joins the downtown food scene at the 500 Crawford building across from Minute Maid Park. Executive chef Michael Parker (Crane's own personal chef) and Chef du cuisine Michael Rideout (Formally of Tony's) treated HFBC to a wide assortment of Northern Italian dishes and drinks. Here's a recap of all the delicious food, decor, and coverage.

 

The plates of food were coming from everywhere as bloggers scattered to get their shots.

The chef came out and gave us more information on the restaurant, menu, and what inspired it all.

The Menu

 
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Frozen Negronis

Photo Credit: @superkeatzhtown

Twisted Breadsticks

Photo Credit: MsIndependent

 

 Porterhouse steak

Photo Credit: The Corkscrew Concierge

Rigatoni & Fotina Stuffed Meatball

Photo Credit: MsIndependent

Chicken Skewers

Photo Credit: The Corkscrew Concierge

Risotto Balls

Photo Credit: @BlackGirlsWhoBrunch

Caesar Salad Wedges

Photo Credit: @713FoodClique

Italian BBQ Shrimp with Giant Couscous

Photo Credit: The Corkscrew Concierge

Margherita Pizza

Photo Credit: Brunch and Coversation

Cheese Pizza

Photo Credit: Corkscrew Concierge

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Chocolate & Vanilla Tiramasu Balls

Photo Credit: Taste and See Life

 

Beef Carpaccio

Photo Credit: 2 Girls Who Travel

 

We were treated to red and white wine, frozen negronis, and this fiery drink that came with a show.

To see even more coverage from the HFBC first look at Potente check out even more tasty pics and coverage from these food bloggers.

 
 

HFBC Touchdown Throw Down: A Game Day Foodie Guide

As the country prepares for the #HoustonSuperBowl, the members of the Houston Food Blogger Collective (HFBC) created a diverse list highlighting what we love most about Houston - the FOOD. Our comprehensive list boasts of great game day recipes that combine local flavors and cuisines creating spectacular dishes for your Super Bowl party. We also highlighted the best restaurants Houston has to offer, from brunches, wine bars, sports bars and coffee shops - HFBC has got you covered. Thank us later! 

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