Thomas Bille of Belly of the Beast named Best Texas Chef
Belly of the Beast chef Thomas Bille took home the title of Best Chef in Texas at this year's James Beard Awards on Monday, beating out top talent from across the state.
Why it matters: The award spotlights the Houston region's culinary clout in Texas in what's long been considered the Oscars of the culinary world.
Bille beat out four finalists in the regional category and was the only Houston-area win at the award ceremony in Chicago on Monday. Houston had 13 semifinalists and four finalists this year.
Zoom in: Belly of the Beast in Spring blends traditional Mexican flavors with Texan and global influences like Texas Wagyu with kimchi, tuna tostadas with nori and street corn agnolotti.
Thomas and his wife Elizabeth first opened the restaurant in Old Town Spring in 2020.
After a pandemic hiatus, they reopened in a new space in Spring in late 2023. Within a year, Belly of the Beast earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand for its innovative meals at an approachable price point.
What they're saying: "My flabbers have been gasted," Bille told Axios after he won his award, adding that it feels like "validation."
"So many people in this in this field have like imposter syndrome, which I had for a very long time, working under a lot of chefs that I never got recognition for ... And to be able to create my own table, my own chair, and have my own concept without any financial vacuum — my wife and I just doing it all on our own — it is gratifying to see that our hard work is paying off for my team."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Axios
4 hours ago
- Axios
Boston finalists shut out at James Beard Awards
The James Beard Awards named no winners in Massachusetts Monday night. But the ceremony did give a shoutout to Sullivan's Castle Island, which was named an America's Classics winner in February. Why it matters: It's the biggest night in the restaurant business. Driving the news: Jungsik Yim, the veteran chef behind Korean restaurant Jungsik in New York, won the outstanding chef award, beating Sarma's Cassie Piuma. Brookline's Merai lost to Puerto Rico-based Identidad Cocktail Bar for best new bar. Sky Haneul Kim of Gift Horse in Providence won the Best Chef: Northeast award, beating Urban Hearth owner Erin Miller and three other finalists. Yes, but: Brendan and Adrian Sullivan joined the ceremony in Chicago to celebrate their award, four months after winning the James Beard Foundation honors . "It's so surreal to be in the company that we're in tonight ... It's a 'pinch-me moment,'" Adrian Sullivan tells Axios.
Axios
5 hours ago
- Axios
James Beard Award D.C. winner: Causa and Amazonia
Chef Carlos Delgado of Shaw's Causa and Amazonia won Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards in Chicago on Monday night. Why it matters: The Beards are big time — the Oscars of the American hospitality industry. Zoom in: Since opening in Blagden Alley in 2022, the Peruvian tasting counter and pisco bar has drawn loyal fans. It was previously a finalist for the Beard's "Best New Restaurant" award in 2023, and has also earned a Michelin star. Catch up quick: D.C. chefs, restaurants and hospitality groups were strongly featured among the 2025 semifinalists, with nearly 20 nominees across ten categories. Finalists included: Flashback: D.C. swept last year's Beard Awards, with major wins in national categories including Albi's Michael Rafidi for Outstanding Chef, and Rising Star winner Masako Morishita of Perry's.
Axios
6 hours ago
- Axios
Thomas Bille of Belly of the Beast named Best Texas Chef
Belly of the Beast chef Thomas Bille took home the title of Best Chef in Texas at this year's James Beard Awards on Monday, beating out top talent from across the state. Why it matters: The award spotlights the Houston region's culinary clout in Texas in what's long been considered the Oscars of the culinary world. Bille beat out four finalists in the regional category and was the only Houston-area win at the award ceremony in Chicago on Monday. Houston had 13 semifinalists and four finalists this year. Zoom in: Belly of the Beast in Spring blends traditional Mexican flavors with Texan and global influences like Texas Wagyu with kimchi, tuna tostadas with nori and street corn agnolotti. Thomas and his wife Elizabeth first opened the restaurant in Old Town Spring in 2020. After a pandemic hiatus, they reopened in a new space in Spring in late 2023. Within a year, Belly of the Beast earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand for its innovative meals at an approachable price point. What they're saying: "My flabbers have been gasted," Bille told Axios after he won his award, adding that it feels like "validation." "So many people in this in this field have like imposter syndrome, which I had for a very long time, working under a lot of chefs that I never got recognition for ... And to be able to create my own table, my own chair, and have my own concept without any financial vacuum — my wife and I just doing it all on our own — it is gratifying to see that our hard work is paying off for my team."
