Celebrate one of America's native spirits and watch Houston's top chefs and mixologists from Houston and Austin battle it out to be named Houston Chowhounds Makers Mark Bourbon Throwdown winner!

The chef line-up:
1.  Bryan Caswell - Executive Chef/Partner of REEF, Little Big's, & Stella Sola
2.  Mark Cox - Executive Chef/Owner of Mark's
3.  David Grossman - Executive Chef/Partner of Branch Water Tavern
4.  Mark Holley - Executive Chef of Pesce
5.  Rebecca Masson - Independent Pastry Chef ('Shroom Throwdown winner)
6.  Monica Pope - Executive Chef/Owner of T'afia & Beaver's

The bartender line-up:
1.  Adam Bryan - Eastside Showroom (Austin, TX)
2.  Bill Norris - Fino (Austin, TX)
3.  Claire Sprouse - Beaver's
4.  Matt Tanner - Anvil Bar & Refuge
5.  Ryan Rouse - Branch Water Tavern
6.  Anthony Montz - Hearsay Gastro Lounge

The panel of judges:
1.  Bear Dalton - Spec's Wine Manager, My Table Magazine's Wine & Spirits editor, Wine educator
2.  Hailey Harris - Makers Mark Houston representative
3.  Katharine Shilcutt - Houston Press Web editor and food writer
4.  Robb Walsh- food writer, former food critic of Houston Press
5.  Barry Maiden - executive chef/owner of Hungry Mother in Boston

Eat.  Food for the patron buffet will provided by our six competing chefs and our host, Branch Water Tavern.  Competing chefs will be bringing buffet-friendly versions of their bourbon dishes for the audience.

Drink. Enjoy complimentary Makers Mark bourbon cocktails all night created by our six competing bartenders. Full cash bar will also be available for beer, wine, and other cocktails.  

Many thanks to our sponsors:

Makers Mark

Hotel Sorella

For official event details and guidelines, visit the Houston Chowhounds website.

Questions? Email imneverfull@gmail.com