Paula Forbes

Austin

Senior Food and Drinks Writer at Texas Monthly

Cookbooks! Formerly: @eatmedaily, @eater, @epicurious. Central time zone lifer. [email protected] She/her. I love you more than Culver's.

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Articles

After a Weekend of National Protests, Immigration Was A Hot Topic Among James Beard Awards Winners

1 week ago | texasmonthly.com | Paula Forbes

Texas picked up several medals last night at the 35th annual James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards, held in Chicago. Arjav Ezekiel of the counter-service prix-fixe restaurant Birdie’s, in Austin, won Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, a national award. Best Chef: Texas went to Thomas Bille, of the Mexican-influenced restaurant Belly of the Beast, in Spring, outside Houston.
Lauded Chef April Bloomfield Is Leaving New York for Texas

1 month ago | texasmonthly.com | Paula Forbes

New York City’s April Bloomfield is one of the most talented chefs in the country. Period—no qualification. And soon, she’ll bring her talents to Texas. MML Hospitality has revealed to Texas Monthly that the famed culinary whiz will join its Austin restaurant empire as executive chef in June.
Yes Chef! The Stars of This Texas Play Are Going Full Method-Acting by Cooking on Stage

Feb 6, 2025 | texasmonthly.com | Paula Forbes

A ticket to the Alley Theatre’s production of Seared in Houston comes with an unusual notification: an allergen warning. “We’re cooking live on stage,” it reads, “including salmon.
How to Make Texas Sheet Cake-Without the Chocolate

Feb 3, 2025 | texasmonthly.com | Paula Forbes

First, make the salted caramel sauce. In a small saucepan, heat ½ cup sugar and ¼ cup water over medium-high heat. Melt the sugar and cook until it has turned a light golden brown, about 12 minutes. Do not stir during this process! If you do, the caramel will crystallize. Instead, gently swirl the pan periodically. Whisk in the warm cream and cook for 2 minutes. The temperature is important—cold cream will splatter. Regardless, be careful of steam when you add the cream.
The 2025 James Beard Award Semifinalists Reflect the Evolving Definition of “Texan Food”

Jan 23, 2025 | texasmonthly.com | Paula Forbes

The James Beard Foundation has announced its 2025 Restaurant and Chef Award semifinalists, which include an impressive 41 from Texas. The state is guaranteed to have 20 semifinalists each year, for the Best Chef: Texas category; the rest come from national categories, including Outstanding Restaurant and Emerging Chef. Of the big cities, Houston proper leads the way, with ten semifinalists, and it’s a delightful surprise to find San Antonio in second, with seven.
Your Grandma’s Kitchen Meets TikTok in This Recipe for King Ranch Casserole Beans

Jan 3, 2025 | texasmonthly.com | Paula Forbes

Beans have had the best PR over the last few years. Whether you’re on the waiting list for the Rancho Gordo heirloom-bean subscription service or have cooked Dense Bean Salad or Pizza Beans recently, you may be part of the legume-aissance. If not, welcome—let’s start by doing it the Texan way. While it may be sacrilege to suggest that Texans might be looking to eat less meat, it’s not wholly untrue.
Gen Z Brought Back the Espresso Martini. We Texified It.

Dec 18, 2024 | texasmonthly.com | Paula Forbes

The younger generations—and possibly singer Sabrina Carpenter—have brought back the espresso martini. There’s no fighting it—stemmed glasses of rich, brown, caffeinated liquid dotted with three coffee beans are everywhere. Instead, we’re innovating it. Our espresso martini—a Texspresso Martini, if you will—has a Southern drawl, with mezcal adding a bit of smoke and pecans contributing richness.
Austin’s 10 Best Barbecue Restaurants Go Beyond the Basics

Dec 3, 2024 | blog.doordash.com | Paula Forbes

Blog de DoorDash RestaurantesThere will be brisket. In… ice cream?!*This article includes mentions of merchants or brands who are partners of DoorDash, and DoorDash may receive a commission if you choose to make a purchase from these merchants or brands. Look, I love barbecue as much as the next Texan. But sometimes a girl needs more than brisket! Luckily, Austin is home to some of the most creative and delicious barbecue restaurants in the world.
Austin’s 10 Best Barbecue Restaurants Go Beyond the Basics

Dec 2, 2024 | blog.doordash.com | Paula Forbes

DoorDash Blog RestaurantsThere will be brisket. In… ice cream?!*This article includes mentions of merchants or brands who are partners of DoorDash, and DoorDash may receive a commission if you choose to make a purchase from these merchants or brands. Look, I love barbecue as much as the next Texan. But sometimes a girl needs more than brisket! Luckily, Austin is home to some of the most creative and delicious barbecue restaurants in the world. Here are my picks for smoked meats that go beyond basic.
The 8 Best Sushi Restaurants in Austin

Dec 2, 2024 | blog.doordash.com | Paula Forbes

DoorDash Blog RestaurantsWhere to find all the rolls you need in a (landlocked!) city that makes surprisingly good sushi. *This article includes mentions of merchants or brands who are partners of DoorDash, and DoorDash may receive a commission if you choose to make a purchase from these merchants or brands. For a landlocked town, Austin has shockingly good sushi.