After months of accumulation, the best restaurants, chefs, bars and other culinary superstars were announced and celebrated at our event.2024 Culture Map Dallas Tastemaker Awards.
Winners were crowned on May 16th at an awards ceremony and tasting event at the Fashion Industry Gallery, with proceeds going to Harvest Project Food Rescue.
In preparation for the big event, we've created a special editorial series highlighting 10 nominees, including the best restaurants, chefs, bars, bartenders, and more. New this year is a wildcard category for Best Patio. A panel of expert judges helped select all winners except for Best New His Restaurant. It was determined by our readers in a bracket-style tournament.
So without further ado, let's toast to the 2024 Tastemaker Award winners.
This year's featured chef: Will Salisbury; carbon
Salisbury is a New England native whose life and culinary journey took him from Nantucket Island to Europe and New Orleans, where he worked with renowned chef John Besh. He came to Dallas to join Bruno Davaillon at Bullion, then joined Major Food Group in fall 2021 as executive chef at Carbone, the grand Italian restaurant in the Design District. Their cuisine resonates deeply with Salisbury's Italian-American heritage.
Nearby Restaurant of the Year: Teriri-san
Founder Jeannie Terilli opened her eponymous restaurant on Greenville Avenue in 1985 with the idea of a fun Italian spot. That spirit spread, and the restaurant became a respected mainstay in Dallas. Their signature dish is a pizza version of nachos called “Italchos.” Now owned and operated by Jeannie Terilli, Joey Terilli, Amanda Terilli and Lloyd, Terili's continues to be a refreshing hangout for neighbors and a timeless destination for old-timers. .
Bar of the year: whiskey
This hidden gem just outside Fair Park is a favorite with service industry folk and insiders. As the name suggests, this bar stocks hundreds of the finest whiskeys and bourbons. If you're overwhelmed with options, we offer Whiskey Flights to sample some of our whiskies. The atmosphere is upscale yet unpretentious, with dark decor and soulful music creating a sultry atmosphere.
Bartender of the Year: Fernanda Lozano, Kaiyo
Rossano, aka “Cubby,” has been a mainstay of the Dallas bar scene for almost two decades. Her resume seems endless. She was part of Sfuzzi's original team and worked at Alamo Club, Tipsy Alchemist, Nickel City, and more. She currently works behind the bar and runs the cocktail program at Kaiyo. Cubby is so funny and unpretentious that you forget how much she knows about spirits and cocktails. But don't be fooled by her self-deprecating humor. Cubby is real.
This year's wine program: younger sister
As part of Duro Hospitality (The Charles at El Carlos), it's no surprise that this Italian-inspired trattoria on Greenville Avenue offers exemplary food, service, atmosphere, and wine. The list is compact, but every bottle is rare, with many hard-to-find treasures, most from Italy and one or two from California. It would be foolish to go to Sister and not eat, but the wine is really good, so just going for a drink is worth it. (Note: This category was brought to you by wine sponsor Rias Baixas)
Y's pastry chefear: Tidus Pichakron, Luxury sweets patisserie
Pichakuron began his career in the business world and then trained at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in Napa Valley. She worked at acclaimed spots such as Adolphus's French Her Room, and then a acclaimed bakery with locations in East Her Dallas and North Her Village in Hillcrest, Her Village. Haute Her Sweets began her entrepreneurial journey with her patisserie. She competes in national baking events, appears frequently on television, and has been nominated and re-nominated for Tastemaker Awards in 2016 and 2017.
Best patio: octopus and vino
The taqueria and wine bar at Bishop Arts is beloved not only by Oak Cliff neighbors, but also by local foodies and fans of its gracious founder, Jimmy Contreras. His experience as a wine rep not only inspired him to create a taco and wine pairing joint, but also inspired him to create a remarkable wine list that would make the store a destination for wine lovers. Ta. It's located in a cute white house with a spacious patio and backyard area with umbrellas for shade and hanging twinkling lights. Comfortable, casual, and colorful.
Best new restaurant:McRae's American Bistro.
Restaurateur Mike McRae's casual bistro (Stan's Blue Note, Table 13) is an east Dallas godsend, offering craft cocktails and an eclectic menu that includes deviled eggs, lemon caper chicken, and a lively new brunch.
Chef of the Year: Noah Hester Ham's Meat & Market
Hester rose to fame with her appearances on E!entertainment bradshaw bunch, follows the adventures of former quarterback Terry Bradshaw and his family. Hester's wife Lacey is Bradshaw's daughter. But Texas chefs have earned their own accolades for their culinary skills. He and Lacey own the historic Hamm's His Meat + Market, where they make gourmet sandwiches and host exquisite chef-led dinners in addition to running a butcher shop.
Restaurant of the Year: petra and the beast
Dallas' most acclaimed restaurant is a deeply personal project starring acclaimed chef Misty Norris and has won national and international awards, including multiple Tastemaker Award nominations. Norris is known for his enlightened take on cooking, including using whole animals, pickling them, and creating super homemade dishes. In 2023, we took a big leap forward, leaving our cute and funky location at 601 N. Haskell Ave. and relocating to Lakewood into a sleek, not-so-noisy space.
