Overview
CHEF BENCHAWAN JABTHONG Painter, one of CityBook’s picks for “Coolest People,” made Houston proud by bringing home the Best Chef: Texas award. The James Beard Awards were broadcast Monday night, June 5, from the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The chef and her husband-biz partner Graham Painter own Street to Kitchen in Houston and Th Prsrv in Kemah with David Skinner of Eculent.
The 29-year-old beat out other regional finalists including chef John Russ (Clementine, San Antonio), Reyna Duog (Sandwich Hag, Dallas), Emiliano Marentes (Elmi, El Paso) and David Kirkland and Ernest Servantes (Burnt Bean Co., Seguin). Surprisingly, Austin got completely snubbed this year. Painter is the first Houstonian to win in the Best Chef: Texas category which was created in 2022.