Better come hungry to the 2026 Tastemaker Awards. | Photo by Ashley Gongora
The most delicious event of the year is almost here: CultureMap’s annual Tastemaker Awards.
Our signature tasting event and awards ceremony is happening Thursday, April 30 at Social Space, bringing with it a whole buffet of chef-driven bites and perfectly paired sips that celebrate Fort Worth’s unique culinary scene.
Attendees get one delicious evening to sample to their hearts’ content, with offerings prepared by the nominees for Restaurant of the Year, Chef of the Year, Rising Star Chef, Bar of the Year, Dessert Program of the Year, Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year, Coffee Shop of the Year, and more.
You’ll want to come hungry, considering this sneak peek at what’s on the menu:
Smoked chicken lollipops from BBQ on the Brazos
Beef bulgogi fried rice from Brooklyn’s
Wagyu tataki with tobiko caviar from Cattlemen’s Steak House
Cheese and charcuterie and an espresso martini to sip from Crystal Springs Hideaway
Tostada de atún from Dos Mares
Assorted sushi from Japanese Palace
Chicken curry puffs, Mok Ubon with premium jumbo lump crab, and grilled naem from Ko Thai
42 Rolls, Tribeca Rolls, and Royce Rolls from Oishii Sushi & Pan Asian
Mini Wagyu chicken fried steak fromRex’s Bar & Grill
Braised beef and manchego sliders from Tarrant Area Food Bank
Baked potato culurgiones (stuffed pasta) from The Blue Room
The Meat Board Flight, smoked turkey bacon pinwheels, and Billionaire’s Bacon from The Meat Board
The Duck (black garlic duck, slow roasted leg, smoked breast) from The Mont
The Jaybird (buffalo mozzarella, sopressata, grilled prosciutto, peppers) on Italian herb focaccia from Weinberger’s Deli
Of course there will be plenty of sweet treats, as well as coffee-centered pick-me-ups from our Coffee Shop and Dessert Program of the Year nominees:
Chocolate pecan mud pie with your choice of toppings fromBricks and Horses
Housemade honeysuckle latte from Brewed
Drip coffee fromCrude Craft Coffee Bar
Mini donuts and donut holes from FunkyTown Donuts & Drafts
Cowtown coffee toffee sundae from Melt
To help wet your whistle, there will be Lone Star Beer and craft cocktails from our sponsor, Maker’s Mark Bourbon.
Limited VIP passes remain, and it’s obvious why they’re such a hot ticket: Gain entry to the event a full hour early and get exclusive access to the VIP bar. General admission tickets are also available but are selling fast, so act now to secure your spot at Fort Worth’s most delicious night. We’ll see you April 30!
FW Tastemaker Awards | See you at the big event! | Photo by Ashley Gongora
—
The CultureMap Tastemaker Awards ceremony is sponsored in Fort Worth by Maker’s Mark, Lone Star Beer, H-E-B, Saratoga Water, NXT LVL Event, and more to be announced. A portion of the proceeds benefit our nonprofit partner, the Fort Worth Food and Wine Foundation.