A party is not a party without it. It can be the focus of any lively conversation. Rich, bland, sweet, salty, or spicy there is no end on how to describe it. Food is a common denominator for all people. Each culture has its own distinct taste and flare that makes it unique to its people. Combine food with culture and fun is sure to follow. For the third straight year, Houston Black Restaurant Week (HBRW) brings food, culture, and fun together over the course of two weeks to celebrate and recognize African American chefs specializing in African American, African and Caribbean cuisines from April 16-29, 2018.

“Our focus is really showcasing the diversity of the culinary scene with African American, African and Caribbean businesses. We really wanted to highlight all the talent and diversity within that industry.” Houston Black Restaurant Week Operations Chair Falayn Ferrell, continued, “A lot of times when you really look into the culinary industry those kinds of entities tend to get lost or kind of overshadowed so this platform really gives a chance for our caterers, our bartenders, our executive chefs, our restaurant owners to really kind of shine and announce themselves to the community.”

In giving minority business owners this voice, Houston Black Restaurant Week has become a great resource to the community when seeking culinary talent for their various gatherings, conventions, and other events. “And that’s kind of the beauty of this because that information is shared throughout the year,” said Ferrell. To further help showcase minority culinary entrepreneurs, the community will have access to HBRW’s new publication, Nosh Culinary Showcase Magazine. The publication features all restaurants, caterers, food trucks, chefs, bartenders, and others participating in HBRW so the community can have a tangible resource.

Coupled with putting black-owned businesses in the forefront, HBRW always wants to give back. Last year, proceeds benefitted the Blue Triangle Community Center. This year HBRW has decided to partner with F.A.R.M.S. (Family. Agriculture. Resource. Management. Services.). “They deal with minority farmers helping them with estate planning and assisting them to grow crops and vegetables that they are able to donate to other food banks,” said Ferrell of the national nonprofit organization. Twenty percent of all proceeds from HBRW will go towards F.A.R.M.S.

The success of Black Restaurant Week in Houston has allowed expansion of the platform to Atlanta and Oakland last year and New Orleans, Philadelphia and Dallas this year. A portion of these markets’ proceeds will also benefit F.A.R.M.S.

Ferrell is proud of the growth of the week in Houston. From 12 participating restaurants to 20 this year, HBRW is definitely something the community was craving. Houston is known as the fattest city only because of the plethora of eateries within our borders. HRBW gives everyone a chance to challenge their palettes and open their minds to new culinary experiences.

Trying new things is something that Chef Tiffani Janelle is an advocate for. The New Orleans native chef known for taking her childhood favorites and transforming them into culinary delights is excited to be apart of this year festivities. Her busy schedule kept her away in previous years and she was determined to not repeat that mistake this year. Chef Janelle’s scheduled was jammed pack as a private chef and caterer so the only way diners had the opportunity to taste her food was at private functions. HBRW gives her the opportunity to grow her fan base by allowing foodies to sample her menu in a public versus private setting.

She is now in partnership with Dolce Ultra Lounge and Bistro and will showcase some of her unique culinary creations there during HBRW. Dolce is known for its elevated comfort food menu and Chef Janelle has kicked that up with her presence. During the two weeks of HBRW, three different dishes will be featured to wet the palette. One entrée is the King Surf and Turf. Chef Janelle describes it as a slice of Filet Mignon, King Crab Leg, and Grilled Shrimp over a bed of Mash Potatoes and Asparagus. The second dish is Blackened Catfish over Oxtails Dirty Rice with a Crab Meat Topping and Opelousas Sauce. And the third entrée had my mouth watering. Are you ready? Red Velvet Fried Chicken…have you heard of such a thing? Chef Janelle compliments this dish with traditional macaroni and cheese, sautéed collard greens, and cabbage along with a side of candied yams. After eating all that save room for dessert and try some Shipley’s Donut Bread Pudding, Cognac Chocolate Brownie with Ice Cream, or Strawberry Moscato Cheesecake.

In addition to showcasing her chops at Dolce, foodies can sample some of Chef Janelle’s food at the Nosh: Culinary Showcase during HBRW. She will be one of Houston’s top chefs in attendance doing a live demonstration of one of her favorite summertime dishes. Focusing on African Diaspora, Chef Janelle will make a Caribbean Jerk BBQ Salmon Rib. I can’t wait to try it.

It is creative minds like Chef Janelle that make HBRW so great. Step away from your usual meal and go excite your taste buds with something new. Chef Janelle suggests taking advantage of the server’s suggestions and just enjoying yourself.

Houston Black Restaurant Week runs April 16-29, 2018. More details can be found at houbrw.com.

Houston Black Restaurant Week Participating Establishments

Featuring a variety of menus, including African, Caribbean, Cajun, and Vegetarian

Houston This Is It Soul Food

2712 Blodgett St

Houston, TX 77004

Reggae Hut Café

4814 Almeda Rd

Houston, TX 77004

Tropical Smoothie Café

19075 I-45 South, Suite 116 C

Shenandoah, TX

Mikki’s Homestyle Cooking and Catering Soul Food Café

10500 W Bellfort Ave #100

Houston, TX 77031

Phil & Derek’s Restaurant and Wine Bar

1701 Webster Street, E2

Houston, TX 77003

Esther’s Cajun Café & Soul Food

5204 Yale St

Houston, TX 77091

Dolce Ultra Lounge and Bistro

18039 Farm to Market Rd 529 A

Cypress, TX 77433

Etta’s Little Kitchen

5015 Almeda Rd

Houston, TX 77004

Lucille’s

5512 La Branch St

Houston, TX 77004

The French Fry House

3221 Ennis St

Houston, TX 77004

Ray’s Real Pit BBQ Shack

4529 Old Spanish Trl # C

Houston, TX 77021

Gatlin’s BBQ

5015 Almeda Rd

Houston, TX 77004

Kitchen 713

4601 Washington Ave #130

Houston, TX 77007

Café Abuja Nigerian Kitchen

15015 Westheimer Rd #C

Houston, TX 77082

The Alley Kat Bar & Lounge

3718 Main St

Houston, TX 77002

Chicago Boogie’s BBQ

1767 Texas Parkway

Missouri City 77489

Ogun’s Art + Wine

920 Studemont St #150

Houston, TX 77007

Prospect Park Sports Bar and Kitchen

3100 Fountain View Dr

Houston, TX 77057