The Big Taste 2015

I was a judge at Houston's 3rd annual Big Taste fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters. In addition to supporting a great cause, the Big Taste was a fantastic way to sample dishes from many of Houston's notable restaurants in one place.

Note the pork belly bite from Dish Society which stole the show winning in every category. 

The Judges Table

Judging alongside Chester Pitts, Sabin Lomac, and Robert del Grande

Uchi - Seared gyutoro (72-hour sous vide shortrib), aerated foie curry, fennel, rhubarb, lime, and olive oil

Mockingbird Bistro - Fruit ceviche

Prohibition Supperclub + Bar - Sea bass crudo

Cousins Maine Lobster - Clam chowder shooter

Cousins Maine Lobster - Maine-style lobster roll

Cousins Maine Lobster - Connecticut-style lobster roll

Cousins Maine Lobster - Maine-style lobster roll

Dish Society - Pork belly bites

Frank's Americana - Venison tartare with white truffle

Lucille's - Shrimp + Gritz

Paul's Kitchen - Pork Belly and sausage

Melange Creperie - Zucchini and herbed goat cheese; blueberry pomegranate with sour cream and "sinful granola"

Triniti - Sweet corn panna cotta, shrimp bacon, english peas, and pickled okra

Mark's Cuisine - Roasted striploin, roasted peppers, steak vinaigrette

Radio Milano - Quail, duck sausage, and foie gras

Straits Asian Bistro - Lobster Watermelon Salad

Mala Sichuan - Mala flank steak

KUU - Chilean seabags with seared scallop baked bacon

KUU - Chilean seabags with seared scallop baked bacon, restaurant-plated

Killen's BBQ - Smoked short rib, blue cheese dumpling, pickled pearl onions, english peas, and roasted mushroom

All 20 dishes from 17 contestants

Cloud 10 Creamery - Goat cheese idea cream, put pastry, yogurt, pickled cherries, local honey, whipped cream