Thomas Bille of Belly of the Beast named Best Texas Chef
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."
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