We’re very happy to present the finalists and winners of the 2011 Houston Culinary Awards & Houston Foodie Star Awards. Congratulations, all!

2011 RESTAURATEURS OF THE YEAR

Winner: Harris & Chris Pappas (Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, Pappasito’s, etc.)

Finalists: Claire Smith (Canopy, Shade) * Marco Wiles (Da Marco, Dolce Vita, Poscól) * Mark Cox (Mark’s American Cuisine) * Schiller-Del Grande (Cafe Annie, The Grove, etc.) * Tracy Vaught (Backstreet Cafe, Hugo’s, Trevisio) * Elouise Adams Jones (Ouisie’s Table, The Bird & The Bear)

 

2011 CHEF OF THE YEAR

Winner: Hugo Ortega (Hugo’s, Backstreet Cafe)

Finalists: Anita Jaisinghani (Indika, Pondicheri) * David Denis (Le Mistral) * Marco Wiles (Da Marco, Dolce Vita, Poscól) * Mark Cox (Mark’s American Cuisine) * Randy Evans (Haven) * Ryan Pera (Revival Market)

2011 UP-AND-COMING CHEF OF THE YEAR (age 35 or younger)

Winner: Philippe Gaston (Haven)

Finalists: Brandon Fisch (Xuco Xicana) * David Grossman (Branch Water Tavern) * Grant Gordon (Tony’s) * Jason Chaney (The Barbed Rose) * Jeramie Robinson (Restaurant Cinq) * Rolando Soza (Bistro Alex)

 

2011 OUTSTANDING WINE SERVICE

Winner: Brennan’s of Houston

Finalists: 13 Celsius * Hugo’s * Mockingbird Bistro * Pappas Bros. Steakhouse * RDG + Bar Annie * Vic & Anthony’s

2011 PASTRY CHEF OF THE YEAR (includes breadmakers)

Winner: Bobby Jucker (Three Brothers Bakery)

Finalists: Chris Leung (Bootsie’s Heritage Cafe, Tomball) * Dominique Bocquier (Au Petit Paris) * Heath Wendell (Slow Dough) * Sara Brook (The Dessert Gallery) * Scott Tycer (Kraftsmen Baking) * Michael Savino (Michael’s Cookie Jar)

 

 

2011 OUTSTANDING BAR SERVICE

Winner: Brennan’s of Houston

Finalists: Beaver’s * Branch Water Tavern * Downing Street Ltd. * Haven * Mockingbird Bistro * Truluck’s Steak & Stone Crab

2011 SERVICE PERSON OF THE YEAR (includes dining room managers)

Winner: Hector Andrade (Mockingbird Bistro)

Finalists: Arthur Mooradian (Del Frisco’s) * Brandon Busch (La Griglia) * Charles Criswell (Eddie V’s, CityCentre location) * Jon Paul (The Steakhouse, Galveston) * Mary Donna Moceri (Grotto) * Tim Neely (Rainbow Lodge)

2011 HOUSTON CLASSIC (a restaurant in business for 10 or more years)

Winner: Niko Niko’s

Finalists: Backstreet Cafe * Brenner’s Steakhouse (Katy Fwy. location) * Ninfa’s on Navigation * Ouisie’s Table * Pico’s Mex-Mex * Tony’s

 

2011 BEST INTERIOR DESIGN

Winner: Brennan’s of Houston

Finalists: Américas (River Oaks) * Bistro Alex * Brasserie 19 * Gigi’s Asian Bistro * Philippe Restaurant + Lounge * Tony’s

 

2011 BEST NEW RESTAURANT (must have opened since June 1, 2010)

Winner: El Real Tex-Mex Cafe

Finalists: Ava Kitchen & Whiskey Bar * Eddie V’s (West Ave location) * Philippe Restaurant + Lounge * Pondicheri * The Barbed Rose * Trattoria Il Mulino

 

 

 

 

 

2011 FAVORITE BAKERY

Winner: Three Brothers Bakery

Finalists: Dessert Gallery * El Bolillo * Kraftsmen Baking * Pie in the Sky * Rustika Cafe & Bakery * Slow Dough Bread Co.

2011 FAVORITE BARBECUE

Winner: Luling City Market

Finalists: Burns Bar B Q * Gatlin’s BBQ * Pierson & Co. BBQ * Pizzitola’s Bar-B-Que * The Swinging Door * Thelma’s Barbecue

2011 FAVORITE BREAKFAST

Winner: The Breakfast Klub

Finalists: Avalon Diner * Barnaby’s * Fountain View Cafe * Kenny & Ziggy’s * Ouisie’s Table * Tiny Boxwood’s

2011 FAVORITE BURGER

Winner: Hubcap Grill

Finalists: Bellaire Broiler Burger * Christian’s Tailgate * Goode Co. Hamburgers & Taqueria * Jax’s Burgers, Fries & Shakes * Little Bitty Burger Barn * Love Shack (aka The Shack)

2011 FAVORITE COFFEEHOUSE

Winner: Brasil

Finalists: Agora * Antidote Coffee * Black Hole Coffee House * Catalina Coffee * Inversion Coffee House * Greenway Coffee & Tea

2011 FAVORITE HOUSTON FOOD BLOG

Winner: 29-95.com (Houston Chronicle)

Finalists: Delicious Mischief (John DeMers) * Dude, You Going to Eat That? (Dr. Ricky) * Eating Our Words (Houston Press) * Guns & Tacos (Jay Rascoe) * Houston Foodie (J.C. Reid) * Texas Eats (Robb Walsh)

2011 FAVORITE MOM & POP ETHNIC

Winner: Niko Niko’s (Greek)

Finalists: Cafe Pita+ (Bosnian) * El Rey (Mexican) * Huynh (Vietnamese) * Irma’s (Mexican) * Mai’s (Vietnamese) * Rudi Lechner’s (German)

2011 FAVORITE FOOD TRUCK/CART

Winner: Eatsie Boys

Finalists: Bernie’s Burger Bus * Fusion Taco * Jarro Cafe * Oh My Pocket Pies * Tacos Tierra Caliente * The Rolling Hunger

2011 FAVORITE LATE NIGHT SPOT (serves food after 11 pm)

Winner: Katz’s Deli

Finalists: BB’s Cafe (Montrose location) * Dot’s Coffee Shop * Mai’s * Spanish Flowers * Tacos A Go-Go * Tan Tan

2011 FAVORITE MIXOLOGIST

Winner: Justin T. Burrow (Haven)

Finalists: Alba Huerta (Anvil Bar & Refuge) * Bobby Heugel (Anvil Bar & Refuge) * Claire Sprouse (formerly at Grand Prize) * James Watkins (Soma) * John Klotz (Brewery Tap) * Mindy Kucan (Anvil Bar & Refuge)

2011 FAVORITE OUTDOOR DINING

Winner: Brenner’s Steakhouse on the Bayou

Finalists: Brennan’s of Houston * Haven * Ouisie’s Table * Raven Grill * RDG + Bar Annie * The Grove

2011 FAVORITE SUPERMARKET

Winner: H-E-B

Finalists: 99 Ranch Market * Fiesta * Hubbell & Hudson * Phoenicia Specialty Foods * Revival Market * Whole Foods

2011 FAVORITE PUB OR BAR

Winner: The Ginger Man

Finalists: Bar Annie * Downing Street Ltd. * Kenneally’s Irish Pub * Marfreless * McGonigel’s Mucky Duck * West Alabama Ice House

2011 FAVORITE SWEETS/ICE CREAM

Winner: Amy’s Ice Creams

Finalists: Araya Artisan Chocolate * Dessert Gallery * Gelato Blu * Hank’s Ice Cream Parlor * Ooh La La Dessert Boutique * Sweet Lola Yogurt Bar

2011 FAVORITE WINE SELLER

Winner: Central Market

Finalists: 13 Celsius * Costco * French Country Wines * Houston Wine Merchant * Sonoma Retail Wine Bar & Boutique * The Tasting Room

Mark your calendar now for the 2012 Houston Culinary Awards: Sunday, October 7, 2012.