Founded in 2016, The Butcher's Ball brings together Texas' top chefs and culinary leaders to celebrate the state's small, independent farms and ranches who are engaging in sustainable growing practices in an effort to educate, engage and enlighten the public on the importance of knowing where your food comes from.
To date, Butcher's Ball events have showcased the talents of over 300 chefs, growers, butchers, mixologists, educators, advocates and leaders from all aspects of the food & beverage industry, raising over $100,000 for food-base charitable initiatives.
2019
Benefiting Urban Harvest's Farmers Markets Programs
FEATURED CHEFS
Golden Cleaver Competitors
Jeff Balfour, Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery, San Antonio
Nicola Blaque, The Jerk Shack, San Antonio
Dawn Burrell, Kulture, Houston
James McFarland, Wade Elkins, Mike Michna, Reveille Barbecue, Magnolia
Evelyn Garcia, Decatur Bar & Pop-Up Factory, Houston
Sarah Heard & Nathan Lemley, Foreign & Domestic, Austin
Cullen Holle, Jax, Brenham
Brandi Key, Alice Blue, Houston
Peja Krstic, Mot Hai Ba, Dallas
Tony Luhrman, El Topo, Houston – 2018 Golden Cleaver Champion
FIRST PLACE - Justin Manning, C&J Barbeque, College Station
SECOND PLACE - Monica Pope, Sparrow Cookshop, Houston
Jonny Rhodes, Indigo, Houston
Mark Scott, Convenience West, Marfa
THIRD PLACE - Austin Simmons, TRIS, The Woodlands
Martin Stayer, Nobie’s / The Toasted Coconut, Houston
Bramwell Tripp, Loro, Austin
David Uygur, Lucia / Macellaio, Dallas
Open Fire Showcase
Jason Collier, Houston
Chris Davies, Uchi, Houston
Rick Dixon, R-C Ranch, Houston
Erin & Patrick Feges, Feges BBQ, Houston
Felix Florez, Black Hill Meats, Houston
Philippe Gaston, Houston
Red Havens, Houston
Ryan Hildebrand, FM Kitchen + Bar, Houston
Jennifer Hoffman, Leeland House, Houston
Graham Laborde, Killen’s, Houston
Hani Lae, Poitín, Houston
Dominick Lee, Poitín, Houston
Greg Lowry, Houston
Ara Malekian, Harlem Road Texas BBQ, Richmond
Bobby Matos, La Lucha / Superica / State of Grace, Houston
Gabe Medina, Click Virtual Food Hall, Houston
Esaul Ramos, 2M Smokehouse, San Antonio
EJ Miller, International Smoke, Houston
Mark Parmley, Houston
Joseph Quellar, JQ’s Tex-Mex BBQ, Houston
Jess DeSham Timmons, Cherry Block Craft Butcher + Kitchen, Houston
Max Torres, Cake & Bacon, Houston
Willow Villarreal, Willow’s Texas BBQ, Houston
Jeff Weinstock, Cake & Bacon, Houston
Johnny Wesley, HTX Nitro Creamery, Houston
Jane Wild, The Kitchen at The Dunlavy, Houston
Farms & Ranches
A Bar N
Aufdengarten Cattle Co.
Augustus Ranch
Black Hill Meats
Blue Heron Farms
Blue Horizon
Chubby Dog Farms
Gold Ring Wagyu
HeartBrand Ranch
Heartly Ranch
Liberty Provisions
R-C Ranch
Rocking 711 Ranch
Three Sister Farms
Unique Meats
Wagyu Excelente
WagyuRu
Whitehurst Ranch
Butchery Demonstrations
Jack Matusek, Raw Republic Meats, Austin
Julia Poplawsky, Central Texas Meat Collective, Austin
Jess DeSham Timmons, Cherry Block Craft Butcher & Kitchen, Houston
Cooking Demonstrations
Monica Pope, Sparrow Cookshop, Houston
Richard Knight, Atlas Diner, Houston
Skyler Hanka, The Prairie Recovery Center, Round Top
Shawn Gawle, Rosie Cannonball, Houston
Cocktails, Beer, Wine & Beverages
Linda Salinas, It's Just Drinks
Sarah Troxell, Nobie's / The Toasted Coconut
Cat Nguyen, Houston Sommelier Association
Monkey's Tail, Houston
Rosewater, Clear Lake
8th Wonder Brewery
Ketel One Vodka
Cutwater Whiskey
Highland Park Whiskey
8th Wonder Gin
El Tesoro Tequila
Buffalo Trace Distillery
Fistful of Bourbon
Duchman Family Winery
Llano Estacado
Los Pinos Ranch
Waterloo Sparkling Water
Revolucion Coffee + Juice
Katz Coffee
Coltivare
Panel Discussions
The History of BBQ in Texas
Moderator: Axel Brave, Axel Provisions
Daniel Vaughan, Texas Monthly's BBQ Editor
Ara Malekian, Harlem Road Texas BBQ
Esaul Ramos, 2M Smokehouse
Erin Feges, Feges BBQ
The Future of Farming & Ranching in Texas
Moderator: Judith McGreary, Farm & Ranch Freedom Alliance (FARFA)
Thomas Schroeder, Audubon Conservation Ranching Program
Scott Snodgrass, The Edible Group
Meagan McMurray, Senior at College Station High School
Erin Stutts, Teacher at College Station High School
Live Music
Jaime Wyatt
Dawn & Dupree
Vinyl Ranch
DJ Mexican Blackbird
First Annual Butcher's Ball Chef Dinner
Taking place the evening before The Butcher's Ball, the Chef Dinner paired two chefs and a local farm or ranch to present a 6-course meal for 100 guests
FIRST COURSE
Dominick Lee, Poítin, Houston
Dawn Burrell, Kulture, Houston
paired with Inland Seafood
SECOND COURSE
Evelyn Garcia, Kin, Houston
Jorge Valencia, LMN Hospitality, Houston
paired with Defaid Livestock
THIRD COURSE
Ryan Lachaine, Riel, Houston
EJ Miller, International Smoke, Houston
paired with Black Hill Meats
FOURTH COURSE
Bobby Matos, State of Grace / La Lucha / Superica, Houston
Graham Laborde, Killen's, Houston
paired with Inland Seafood
FIFTH COURSE
Monica Pope, Sparrow Cookshop, Houston
Tony Luhrman, El Topo, Houston
paired with Terrapin Farms Texas Dorper Lamb
SIXTH COURSE
Hani Lae, Poítin, Houston
Johnny Wesley, HTX Nitro Creamery, Houston
paired with Hill Country Dairies
2018
Benefiting Urban Harvest's Farmers Markets Programs
FEATURED CHEFS
Golden Cleaver Competitors
Ara Malekian, Harlem Road Texas BBQ, Richmond
Bobby Matos, State of Grace, Houston
Cassy Keefe, Downhouse, Houston
Charlie Estrada, The Meat Doctor, Pearland
Chris Davies, Uchi, Houston
Dawn Burrell, Kulture, Houston
Dominick Lee, Poítin, Houston
EJ Miller, International Smoke, Houston
THIRD PLACE - Erin & Patrick Feges, Feges BBQ, Houston
Jane Wild, The Dunlavy, Houston
Jennifer Hoffman, Leeland House, Houston
Jess DeSham Timmons, Cherry Block Craft Butcher & Kitchen, Houston
Open Fire Showcase
Adam Dorris, Presidio, Houston
Felix Florez, Black Hill Meats, Houston
Graham Laborde, Killen's, Pearland
Greg Lowry, Bon Appétit Management Co., Houston
Javier Lopez, Sysco, Houston
Joey Victorian, Victorian's Barbecue, Houston
John Tesar, Knife, Dallas
Martin Campos, Porter's, College Station
Martin Stayer, Nobie's, Houston
Ryan Hildebrand, FM Kitchen & Bar, Houston
Ryan Lachaine, Riel, Houston
Ryan Savoie, Saint Arnold Brewery, Houston
Sean "Buffalo" Carroll, Melange Creperie, Houston
SECOND PLACE - Teddy Lopez, Killen's STQ, Houston
FIRST PLACE - Tony Luhrman, El Topo, Houston
Wade & Kathy Elkins, My Yard Reaction BBQ, Houston
Willow Villarreal, Willow's Texas BBQ, Houston
Jean-Philippe Gaston, Izakaya, Houston
Jeff Weinstock, Cake & Bacon, Houston
Justin Manning, C&J BBQ, Houston
Matt Lovelace, Black Hill Meats, Houston
Max Torres, Cake & Bacon, Houston
Farms & Ranches
Chubby Dog Farm
Black Hill Meats
HeartBrand Beef
LOAM Agronomics
Inland Seafood
Liberty Provisions
R-C Ranch
Marble Ranch
Three Sister Farms
Wagyu Excelent
44 Farms
Ditta Customized Premium Meats
Butchery Demonstrations
Julia Poplawsky, Central Texas Meat Collective, Austin
Gina Lopez, El Burro & The Bull, Houston
Cooking Demonstrations
Monica Pope, Sparrow Cookshop, Houston
Live Music
Kinky Friedman
Hard Luck Revival
White Ghost Shivers
Western Bling
Mason Lankford Family Band
DJ Mexican Blackbird
Cocktails, Beer, Wine & Beverages
Alba Huerta, Julep, Houston
Cat Nguyen, Houston Sommeliers Association
8th Wonder Brewery
Ketel One Vodka
Four Roses Bourbon
Treaty Oak Distilling
The Macallan
Fistful of Bourbon
Herradura Tequila
Austin EastCiders
Banville Wine Merchants
Advantage International
Brazos Wine Imports
Classified Wines
European Cellars
Mundovino
Terlato Wine Group
Vineyard Brands
Kobrand Wine & Spirits
Panel Discussions
Farm & Food Policy and How it Affects You
Moderator: Libby Kennedy, Urban Harvest
Kim Olson, 2018 Democratic Candidate for TX Comm. of Agriculture
Tommy Garcia-Pratts, Finca Tres Robles, Houston
Farm to Table: Getting From the Farm to You
Moderator: Kim Korth, Edible Houston
Julia Poplawsky, Central Texas Meat Collective
Scott Snodgrass, LOAM Agronomics
Tyler Horne, Urban Harvest
Dustin Windham, Grit Grocery
Benefiting Texas Farms & Ranches affected by Hurricane Harvey
2017
FEATURED CHEFS
Golden Cleaver Competitors
Ara Malekian – Harlem Road Texas BBQ, Richmond
Ben Runkle – Salt & Time, Austin
Bobby Matos – State of Grace, Houston
Brek Webber – Tin Roof BBQ, Atascocita
Dawn Burrell – Uchiko, Austin
Dominick Lee – Kiran’s, Houston
EJ Miller – Riel, Houston
Jeff White – Boiler House, San Antonio
Martin Stayer – Nobie’s, Houston
SECOND PLACE - Monica Pope – Sparrow Cook Shop, Houston
Oliver Sitrin – Blind Butcher, Dallas
Patrick Feges – Feges BBQ, Houston
THIRD PLACE - Arash Kharat - Beaver's Houston
Russell Kirkham – Artisan’s, Houston
Ryan Hildebrand – FM Kitchen & Bar, Houston
Ryan Savoie – Saint Arnold Brewing Company, Houston
Wade Elkins – My Yard Reaction BBQ, Houston
FIRST PLACE - Willow Villarreal – Willow’s Texas BBQ, Houston
Farms & Ranches
44 Farms
Black Hill Ranch
Liberty Provisions
Three Sisters Farms
Yonder Way Farm
Butchery Demonstrations
Bryan Butler, Salt & Time, Austin
Richard Knight, Hunky Dory, Houston
Live Music
Cocktails, Beer, Wine & Beverages
Dale Watson and His Lone Stars
White Ghost Shivers
Will Van Horn Trio
Vinyl Ranch
Alba Huerta, Julep, Houston
Lainey Collum, Yauatcha, Houston
Robin Berwick, Double Trouble, Houston
Lone Star Beer
Don Q Rum
Tito's Vodka
Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Topo Chico
Panel Discussions
The Importance of Sustainable Ranching
Moderator: Kim Korth, Edible Houston
Brady Lowe, Activist, Piggy Bank & Cochon555
Dustin Windham, Grit Grocery
Ford Fry, Ford Fry Restaurants
Monica Pope, Sparrow Cookshop
Steve Harrison, 44 Farms
Disaster Response: How Food Communities Helped
Moderator: Phaedra Cook, Houston Food Finder
Alba Huerta, Julep
Felix Florez, Black Hill Ranch
Garrett Gundermann, Gundermann Acres
Richard Knight, Breaking Bread
Tyler Horne, Urban Harvest
La Boucherie v La Matanza
TEAM BOUCHERIE
Graham Laborde, Killen's
Jeff Weinstock, Cake & Bacon
Joe Cervantez, Brennan's
Matt Lovelace, formerly of Triniti
Mike Nutt, Café Rabelais
Randy Evans, H-E-B
TEAM MATANZA
Alex Padilla, The Original Ninfa's on Navigation
David Cordúa, Américas
Javier Lopez, Sysco
Kevin Callahan, Ritual
Peter Garcia, El Meson
Jean-Philippe Gaston, Izakaya
Benefiting Foodways Texas and Urban Harvest
2016
FEATURED CHEFS
Golden Cleaver Competitors
Albert Vasquez – Ritual, Houston
Antoine Ware – Harold's, Houston
Ara Malekian – Harlem Road Texas BBQ, Richmond
SECOND PLACE - Brek Webber – Tin Roof BBQ, Humble
David Cordúa - Américas, Houston
Dawn Burrell – Uchi, Houston
EJ Miller – Downhouse, Houston
Felix Florez – Black Hill Ranch, Houston
Jason Kerr - Farm to Table, Houston
Jess DeSham Timmons - Redneck Country Club, Stafford
THIRD PLACE - John Tesar - Knife, Dallas
Nathan Lemley - Parkside, Austin
Stefon Rishel - 51fifteen, Houston
Tommy Elbashary - B&B Butcher's, Houston
FIRST PLACE - Willow Villarreal - Willow's Texas BBQ, Houston
Butchery Demonstrations
Cocktails, Beer, Wine & Beverages
Felix Florez, Black Hill Meats
Lindsay Rae, Grand Prize Bar
Maker's Mark
Knob Creek
Deep Eddy
Casamigos Tequila
Karbach Brewing Company
Pedernales Brewing Company
True Myth Winery
Live Music
Leopold and his Fiction
White Ghost Shivers
Fiddle Witch
The Grahamaphone
Reverberation DJs (Jason Puffer / Jean-Paul Tiblier)