Saturday, February 18, 2012: Late Night Bars and Bites with Chefs Seth Siegel-Gardner, Terrence Gallivan and Bobby Heugel and Kevin Floyd

SOLD OUT!

Get some rest and come ready to paint the town. Bobby Heugel and Kevin Floyd—the masterminds behind Montrose’s Anvil Bar and Refuge and Hay Merchant—are teaming up with Pilot Light Restaurant founders Chef Seth Siegel-Gardner and Chef Terrence Gallivan on an after-dark adventure spotlighting Houston’s top late-night haunts. Join them at a Sixth Ward dive bar that’s a popular mainstay among residents, chefs and bartenders throughout the city. Later they’ll visit one of the city’s best wine bars and a Museum District cocktail emporium known for its casual charm, great drinks and resident food trucks.

Sunday, February 26, 2012: World BBQ with Chef Chris Shepherd and Robb Walsh

SOLD OUT!

Underbelly’s Chef Chris Shepherd and Tex-Mex Cookbook Author Robb Walsh team up to showcase the best—and culturally-inspired—BBQ Houston has to offer. Get ready for an array of offerings from smoked duck at a Chinese BBQ restaurant and a grilled rendition turned out at a hole-in-the-wall Korean restaurant to Mexican-style barbecue fall-off-the-bone ribs offered at a family-owned, Bayou City-staple.

Sunday, March 18, 2012: Oyster with Chef Bryan Caswell and Robb Walsh

SOLD OUT!

Catch the bus when cookbook author Robb Walsh and Chef Bryan Caswell of Reef, Stella Sola and El Real set out in search of all-things oyster. Discover where to find the best bounty in the city, helpful shucking tips and get a lesson on the difference between East Coast and Gulf varieties. Caswell and Walsh will also highlight the local seafood counters selling Galveston Bay oysters, before bellying up to a few H-Town oyster bars for a taste of the sought-after seafood.

Sunday, April 22, 2012: Crawfish with Chefs Mark Holley and Jonathan Jones

On sale March 1, 2012 at noon (Central time)

Craving crawfish? Pesce’s Chef Mark Holley and Beaver’s Chef Jonathan Jones are spotlighting the southern favorite at institutions all over H-Town. Sample it sautéed and fried at two of Holley and Jones’ favorite hole-in-the-wall restaurants, before heading to a chef-approved market to pick up supplies for a classic crawfish boil. Get a lesson on cooking time, proper seasoning and even ideas for extra ingredients to add to the pot. Don’t be surprised if a few familiar guests stop by.

Sunday, May 13, 2012: Street Food with Chefs Jonathan Jones and Rebecca Masson

On sale April 1, 2012 at noon (Central time)

Pastry Chef Rebecca Masson, who is competing on the current season of Top Chef Just Desserts , is hitting the streets with Beaver’s Chef Jonathan Jones. Together, the duo will showcase the places driving the food truck trend in H-Town—one meal-on-wheels at a time. Join them as they chase down a chef-driven, cartoon-covered van known for its daily-changing menu and globally-inspired food. Save room for burger bus grub and prepare to get “pho cup’d” at a mobile Vietnamese venture.

Sunday, May 20, 2012: Chef's Day Off with Chefs Terrence Gallivan and Seth Siegel-Gardner

On sale April 1, 2012 at noon (Central time)

Chefs need a day off, too! Join Chef Seth Siegel-Gardner and Terrence Gallivan of Pilot Light Restaurant Group on their day off. Snag a picnic table with ’em at the oldest ice house in the city, where brew and barbacoa tacos go hand-in-hand. Later, they group will swing by their neighborhood grocer to pick up supplies for a backyard pig roast. Don’t be surprised if a few chefs join in the revelry, too.

Sunday, June 10, 2012: Hong Kong City Mall/Secrets of Bellaire Blvd with Chefs Randy Evans and Chris Shepherd

On sale May 1, 2012 at noon (Central time)

Grab a seat alongside Underbelly’s Chef Chris Shepherd and Chef Randy Evans of Haven restaurant as they share the secrets and standouts of Houston’s new Chinatown. Join them as they highlight delicious dim sum destinations and visit a couple of Vietnamese outposts known for their bahn cuon, bánh mì and spicy crawfish. Plus, learn the ins and outs of navigating one of the largest Asian markets in the city.

Sunday, July 22, 2012: Long Point Road with Chefs Bryan Caswell and Chris Shepherd

On sale June 1, 2012 at noon (Central time)

Anyone that's ever driven down Long Point Road in West Houston's Spring Branch district knows that it's a melting pot for the city's culinary scene. Join Underbelly’s Chef Chris Shepherd and Chef Bryan Caswell of Reef, Stella Sola and The Next Iron Chef, as they guide guests on a diverse and well-edited selection of their favorite undiscovered hole-in-the-walls. From wallet-friendly taco trucks and authentic Thai food to Korean barbecue and Mexican fried chicken, it’s an eclectic mix of cuisines that are sure to please.

Sunday, Aug. 19, 2012: Southern Comfort with Chefs Randy Evans and Mark Holley

On sale July 1, 2012 at noon (Central time)

Take a trip down memory lane and enjoy the best homestyle fare the city has to offer. Haven's Chef Randy Evans and Pesce's Chef Mark Holley take guests on a tour of the comfort food restaurants that take them back to their childhood. From a momma-approved pie shop and a Cajun-inspired soul food joint to an old-fashioned fried chicken spot and an old-school barbecue classic, guests will be treated to all of the true flavors of the south.

Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012: Indian with Chefs Monica Pope and Chris Shepherd

On sale Aug. 1, 2012 at noon (Central time)

Head to Hillcroft with Monica Pope—of t’afia and Bravo TV’s Top Chef Masters fame—as she teams up with Underbelly’s Chef Chris Shepherd for an afternoon highlighting Houston’s Indian food scene. Settle in at a family-owned spot known for its bold flavors, spice and charcoal-oven Tandoori, before visiting a nearby sweet stop and Indian grocer. Save room for a stop by a vegetarian-minded café specializing in subcontinental dishes.

Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012: Day of the Dead/Airline Drive with Chefs David Cordua and Hugo Ortega

On sale Sept. 1, 2012 at noon (Central time)

Join restaurateur-chef Hugo Ortega—of Montrose’s Hugo’s—and Chef David Cordua of Americas for an afternoon filled with cuisine and culture. Stop by the Museum District where a local gallery celebrates art, music and the practices of Mexico during a series of Día de los Muertos events. Later, the group will dig into savory snapper a la plancha at a Mexican mainstay, take a guided tour of Airline Market and swing by a Heights bakery for pan de los muertos.

Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012: Coffee and Dessert with Chefs Rebecca Masson, Ruben Ortega and Avi Katz

On sale Oct. 1, 2012 at noon (Central time)

Jump on the bus with Pastry Chef Rebecca Masson—of Top Chef Just Desserts—Hugo’s Pastry Chef Ruben Ortega and Avi Katz, the founder of Houston’s celebrated Katz Coffee company. Together, the trio will guide guests on appetizing afternoon filled with culinary confections including handmade Italian gelato, soft-baked cookies, moist cupcakes and the best coffee bean-based drinks the city has to offer.

Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012: Farm Tour with Chefs Randy Evans and Claire Smith

On sale Oct. 1, 2012 at noon (Central time)

Get outta town! Canopy and Shade Chef Claire Smith and Chef Randy Evans of Haven restaurant venture beyond the Loop to celebrate all-things locally-grown. Start the day at a Sixth Ward farmers market offering up fresh fruits, vegetables and prepared foods from area vendors, before chasing down some of Houston’s top food trucks known for their locally-sourced cuisine. Finally, venture to one of the chefs’ favorite farms for pick-your-own produce and a tour of the land.

Sunday, Dec. 10, 2012: Vietnamese with Chefs Bryan Caswell and Ryan Pera

On sale Nov. 1, 2012 at noon (Central time)

As home to the largest Vietnamese population in Texas and the third-largest in the U.S., it’s safe to say that Houston is well-versed in the art of Vietnamese culture and cuisine. Chef Ryan Pera of Revival Market and Chef Bryan Caswell of Reef, Stella Sola and El Real Tex-Mex share their favorite spots to find pho, bò bía and bánh mì.

Tour Details

• All tours depart from Central Market, 3815 Westheimer, at 11am and will return at 4pm, with the exception of Late Night Bars and Bites, which will take place from 9pm-1am.


• Buses will leave promptly at 11am.


• The bus will be parked in the Central Market parking lot with Houston Culinary Tours signage.


• Dress comfortably!