The Open Bar Experience Podcast

After a long and grinding two years, downtown’s new food hall finally opens. Bravery Chef Hall is a unique take on the food hall evolution by putting five chefs under one roof each with their own concepts. Every chef has their own kitchen, staff and menu that showcases their passion.

Alongside these talented chefs are three bars that compliment the quality and passion of the culinary experience. Bravery Wine Bar, Secret Garden and my very own Lockwood Stn.

In this episode, I spoke to Anh Mai, founder and partner of Bravery Chef Hall. He shares the difficulty of finding the right candidates for such an ambitious concept as well as plans for future dining halls.

Tales of the Cocktail (TOTC) is the premier event for any beverage professional! It is a place to learn, meet and share ideas with the very best in the industry as well as with many other novices looking to up their game. Houston Grey Goose brand ambassador Nathan Raffell shares with me how he first ended up at Tales and how it helped him develop within the bar industry.

There will be many sponsored events at Tales so make sure you ask around. One of these events is a Run in Memory of Ben Carlatto on Saturday, July 20th at 8 am. Ask a member of the Bacardi La Familia team.

This week I spoke with Patrick about his experience at World Class as well as his favorite bars in Houston.

Photo by Todd Quackenbush

Cesar Cano English teacher and Master Chef contestant dropped by to talk about his renewed passion for cooking and his taco pop-ups. We had a great time talking about a lot of different subjects including that of the immigrant experience.

Find him on Instagram where he announces his events and coursed taco dinners.

Insta: @taque_son

Photo by Christine Siracusa

Cesar Cano English teacher and Master Chef contestant dropped by to talk about his renewed passion for cooking and his taco pop-ups. We had a great time talking about a lot of different subjects including that of the immigrant experience.

Richard Knight is a talented chef that caught a lucky break. While in Conroe food writer Allison Cook showed up to eat at his restaurant. Meanwhile, he was none the wiser since he didn’t what Ms Cook looked like.

This week is Iron Bartender month and my busy schedule with Lockwood Stn. Opening a bar is hard enough, but you add five restaurants to it and….tic toc.

Patrick is a Houston bartender who is also a World Class competitor, bar consultant, and soon to be bar owner.  In our conversation, we touch on matters of bar culture, competition among other topics. Patrick and business partner Justin Ware will be op...

Andy Seymour takes us through the process of producing sherry. A fortified wine full of complexity and tradition has a style for all palates. As for me, I have a bone to pick with publications that like to give Houston the cold shoulder even when we win and deserve the recognition.

.Neat Pour

 BAR 5 

Dre Masso gives us a good recollection of the London cocktail scene in the mid-90s. Here’s an opportunity to learn from some of the pivotal bartenders that were creating and challenging what was in the glass with as much class as possible.

Visit some of his bars in London, FAM,and Opium Cocktail and Dim Sum Parlour

Also visit me at: The Open Bar Experience