We’re at 55 hours and counting down to the 2011 Houston Culinary Awards on Sunday evening. The good news is that the dinner is completely sold out, and we look forward to welcoming awards finalists, their friends, staff and families for this 15th annual celebration of the Houston restaurant world. The bad news is that the dinner is completely sold out, and if you didn’t purchase a ticket already (like we nagged you repeatedly), there are no seats left.

But here’s a swell consolation prize: Our friends at Grand Prize – the new it-spot at 1010 Banks near Montrose – are hosting the Houston Culinary Awards after-party. There will be happy-hour drink prices all night. So even if you have to work Sunday night and miss the awards dinner, come on over to Grand Prize and celebrate with this year’s finalists and winners. The party starts around 10, and we’ll see you there!

Houston Culinary Awards location: Hilton Hotel on the University of Houston campus (Underground parking is $4.)

Date: Sunday, October 2

Time: Cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres at 6, sit-down dinner at 7, awards ceremony 8:15

Dress: Cocktail attire

Cooking our dinner: Jason Hauck (The Modular), Maurizio Ferrarese (Quattro/The Four Seasons), Jeramie Robison (Restaurant Cinq/La Colombe d’Or), Grant Gordon (Tony’s), Matt Marcus (The Eatsie Boys), Heath Wendell (Slow Dough Bread Co.) and Rebecca Masson (Fluff Bake Bar)