Restaurant Beatrice chef and owner Michelle Carpenter with new Chef de Cuisine Colin Younce. (Photo by Kate Voskova)
Foodie Fridays is serving up the dish on restaurant and food news, trends, events and specials.
Colin Younce joins Restaurant Beatrice as its new Chef de Cuisine
Earlier this week, the James Beard nominated restaurant announced a new addition to its team. Colin Younce was named as Restaurant Beatrice’s Chef de Cuisine. His speciality is in meats, butchery and preparation and heads to RB from his own chef-driven concepts James Beard Foundation Award nominated Homewood and Petra and the Beast where he served as its Executive Sous Chef.
“Colin was looking for a position in an independent restaurant that could both absorb the breadth of his talents while expanding his skills. He is very creative, which brings energy to the Beatrice team. Every year, our restaurant cycles through well over 30 different menus, and Colin is unintimidated to meet the standards we established for our supporters, Executive Chef/Owner Michelle Carpenter said in the announcement.
In the press release, the restaurant declares guests to expect inspired interpretations of Southern and Louisiana food coming from collaboration between Chef Michelle and Chef Colin.
“Food is part and parcel of our city’s identity and culture. Restaurant chefs, particularly those in independent concepts, are the leaders of food culture. We are eager to grow with Colin and introduce guests to more of our restaurant’s capabilities,” Carpenter added.
Restaurant Beatrice will continue its ethical-practices of working closely with the urban agriculture community, expanding sustainability practices, continuing to nurture and normalize women’s talents and expertise in the culinary arts, and serving quality, seasonal, regional foods.
Rattlesnake-cooking competition returns to Fort Worth Stockyards this fall
Rattle Battle’s winning dish in 2023 by David Wetli of Dickies Arena. (Photo by Leo Loera / Bull Stock Media)
This September, one of the most unique food festivals in the nation will return to Mule Alley. The Rattle Battle, a one-of-a-kind rattlesnake cooking competition that’s curated and hosted by renowned Chef Tim Love will feature chefs battling it out over the best rattlesnake dish. Deliciousssss.
Sixteen celebrity chefs from the region will compete head-to-head for the title voted on by attendees and a panel of experts.
“After such a successful inaugural year, I couldn’t help but feel a bit of nervous excitement about how we would top ourselves this year,” Chef Love said in the press release. “But inspiration struck swiftly: Bigger band, more cocktail bars, more chefs and even more fun. Rattle Battle is charging to be one of the most fun and anticipated events of the year, and I can’t wait to sample the innovative creations from our talented chefs.”
The event is presented by the Ariat Texas Rattlers, the Metroplex’s first-ever professional bull riding team. After making history in 2022 as the first team in league history to log a perfect game, they upped the ante in 2023, capping the season by being crowned the 2023 PBR Teams Champion. Their title adds to the world championships won by other professional sports teams in DFW.
“Locals and visitors from around the world know that Fort Worth is a thriving culinary scene,” Chad Blankenship, General Manager of the Ariat Texas Rattlers said in the release. “We’re thrilled to partner with acclaimed Chef Tim Love for the return of the Rattler Days Rattle Battle, presented by TX Whiskey — a chef showcase for the most outstanding rattlesnake dishes ever tasted.”
The 2024 Rattle Battle, which will begin at 5 p.m. on Sept. 26. In addition to the rattlesnake cuisine, open bars will be stationed throughout Mule Alley for attendees. The Rattler Days competition will begin at Cowtown Coliseum on the same day, before traveling to Dickies Arena where the event concludes on Sept. 27 and 28.
During the battle the 16 chefs will compete for the title of Champion and will receive a $2,500 cash prize, a pair of Ariat Boots, an RTIC Cooler, special edition bottle of TX Whiskey and more.
Those in attendance will each receive an Ariat Texas Rattlers token to vote on their favorite dish throughout the event. The Top Three fan-voted dishes will then advance to celebrity judging, with the panel of three culinary experts (TBA) determining the 2024 Rattle Battle Champion.
The inaugural Rattle Battle last year was won by Dickies Arena’s own Chef David Wetli. He will return to competition to defend the title.
The competing chefs include (in no particular order) Juan Rodriguez (Magdalena’s), Kemel Rodriguez (Paloma Suerte), Rodrigo Cárdenas (Don Artemio), Taylor McCreary (Tannahill’s Tavern), Trevor “Big T” Sales (Brix Barbecue), Christian Lehrmann (Tinies, Side Saddle Saloon), Jon Bonnell (Bonnell’s, Waters, Buffalo Bros, Jon’s Grille), Stefon Rishel (Mohawk Consulting & Culinary Solutions), David Wetli (Dickies Arena), Grant Morgan (Hotel Drover and 97 West Kitchen & Bar at Fort Worth Stockyards), Jeffery Thompson (Heim BBQ), Patrick Ru (Teddy Wong’s), Antonio Votta (Bricks & Horses), Luke Gretchen (Woodshed Smokehouse), John Holloman (Lonesome Dove) and Zach Lewis (Atico).
Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster or at Mule Alley on the day of.
Dallas restaurants honored in Wine Spectator’s 2024 Restaurant Awards
Wine Spectator, the world’s leading authority on wine, has unveiled the winners of the 2024 Restaurant Awards, which honor the world’s best restaurants for wine. This year’s awards program recognizes almost 4,000 dining destinations from all 50 states in the U.S. and more than 75 countries internationally.
“The restaurant industry is growing and thriving, with restaurant openings surpassing pre-pandemic levels for the first time. To take advantage of the uptick, restaurateurs are investing in their wine programs,” Marvin R. Shanken, Editor and Publisher, Wine Spectator said in a press release. “Restaurants that make wine a priority are what the Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards program is all about. I’m pleased to congratulate all 3,777 restaurants for their dedication to wine and exemplary wine lists.”
The awards represent the world’s only program focused exclusively on restaurant wine service. They are assigned on three levels: the Award of Excellence, the Best of Award of Excellence and the Grand Award, with 2,150; 1,531; and 96 winners this year in each respective category.
More than 50 DFW locations were recognized. See the list here.
The Restaurant Awards issue came out on July 9.
Food Happenings
Mixology Mondays with Mixologist Adam who will have all of the ingredients and tools ready to demonstrate how to make that week’s featured classic cocktail. 5 p.m. Mondays at The Parlor in Sheraton Dallas.
Tequila & Tacos, an event featuring Casamigos where guests can enjoy exclusive tequila cocktails and pair them with tacos. 6 p.m. July 24 at PGA Frisco.
–compiled by Rich Lopez