11 Houston restaurants and chefs recently secured spots as semifinalists for the prestigious 2024 James Beard Awards, but only one chef advanced to the awards finals. Click to expand Emmanuel Chavez, Tatemó Emmanuel Chavez of Tatemó is representing Houston in the Best Chef: Texas category, showcasing his expertise in crafting dishes centered around heirloom corn, or maize. Despite Tatemó's relatively recent arrival on the Houston culinary scene, its rapid ascent is clear, having previously secured a finalist position in the 2023 James Beard Awards' Best New Restaurant Category. Houston's culinary expertise is no stranger to the limelight, with past winners like Street to Kitchen Chef Benchawan Jabthong Painter in 2023 for the Best Chef: Texas award, alongside luminaries like Hugo Ortega and Chris Shepherd who have triumphed in the Best Chef: Southwest category. These recognitions underscore the city's rich culinary heritage and its ongoing evolution, showcasing the diverse flavors and talents that define the region. The official winners for the 2024 James Beard Awards will be revealed on June 10 live at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.  Learn more about Houston’s award-winning culinary scene.

Houston suburbs are becoming increasingly more popular as mixed-use developments, where residents can live, work and play, revolutionize living in growing communities.   According to the Partnership’s Population Growth analysis, Houston suburbs experienced the most growth last year behind Harris County, with Montgomery and Fort Bend Counties boasting the second and third highest level of domestic migration in the region. Here are a few notable developments taking shape across the greater Houston region that are contributing to this growth:  Click to expand Lake Pointe Plaza  Construction is expected to commence this year on Lake Pointe Plaza, a 53-acre waterfront destination located in Sugar Land. The development, which will transform the former Fluor campus, will feature 3.5-acres of gathering and entertainment space, a hotel and convention center and a boardwalk overlooking Brooks Lake. Additionally, Lake Pointe Plaza will provide office, retail, restaurant and residential space, including a 370 multi-family unit named The Pearl.   Click to expand The Market at Katy Park  The 54-acre mixed-use development is taking shape at the northeast corner of Katy Hockley Rd. and Morton Rd in Katy, Texas west of Houston. Anchored by the recently opened 117,000 square foot H-E-B, The Market at Katy Park will boast five retail buildings and a luxury 348-unit multi-family community dubbed The Oak at Katy Park, which is slated to be completed in 2025. The development has already secured multiple tenants, including Crust Pizza, Pacific Dental, Chase Bank and McDonald’s, according to the developer Read King Properties.  Click to expand Manvel Town Center  The Manvel Town Center, a 273-acre mixed-use development, aims to bring urban living to the growing city of Manvel, offering an array of retail, dining and office space that was not previously available in the area. While the development is still undergoing construction, its 108,000-square-foot H-E-B and Mcdonald’s opened last year. Other confirmed tenants include Whataburger, Heartland Dental, Marble Slab and Aki Steak 7 Sushi. Proposed tenants include Target, Ross, Ulta, Petco, Five Below and Burlington.   Click to expand Village Green at Bridgeland Central  Situated in the heart of Bridgeland, Cypress’ 11,500-acre master-planned community, Village Green at Bridgeland Central will offer more than 28,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, as well as a 100,000-square-foot H-E-B and 49,000-square-foot sustainable office building dubbed One Bridgeland Green. The development will service nearby residents of the district’s already developed apartment complex Starling at Bridgeland, which opened in 2022, and its 150-unit townhome community Highland Homes. Village Green is part the community’s larger urban district, Bridgeland Central, which will feature parks and green spaces and entertainment venues.   Learn more about living in Houston.