Let the countdown–and the meat sweats–begin. After last year’s inaugural RARE Steak Championship, DiningOut Events is bringing its beefy competition back to POST Houston on Thursday, October 24, when patrons and a panel of judges will vote on the best steak dishes in the city.
Steakhouses have long been well represented in Houston, with skilled chefs showcasing the finest cuts of meat alongside seafood gems, swoon-worthy sides, and indulgent desserts, so it’s only fitting that a champion be named among them. The indulgent food festival, sponsored by Buckhead Meat & Seafood, is unlike any other in the city, as it gives attendees a chance to sample unlimited steak dishes from some of the most celebrated chefs in the city, all in one place.
Approximately 1,000 guests attended RARE last year, with 24 participating chefs from restaurants like Guard & Grace, Killen’s STQ, Blood Bros. BBQ, Andiron, and the Palm. The event is shaping up to be bigger and better this year, with new chefs ready to battle it out, during a festive evening featuring live entertainment and photo ops galore.
Like last year, contenders will compete in two categories, Best Traditional and Best Creative in the steak division, while a separate title for Best Cocktail, among participating beverage professionals, will also be up for grabs. Throughout the evening, guests will be given the opportunity to cast their vote for People’s Choice, and a panel of judges, made up of local food experts, will cast theirs for Critic’s Choice.
As a bonus, DiningOut Events is introducing Surf, an exclusive seafood-focused experience for VIP ticket holders. VIP guests will be welcome to enter an hour and a half earlier than general admission and granted full access to Surf. The premium tasting serves as its own dedicated competition, involving eight of Houston’s top seafood restaurants. With a separate area containing lounges, demo stations, and a DJ, Surf will undoubtedly offer a luxurious element to the steak-filled evening.
The second annual RARE Steak Championship coincides with the launch of DiningOut Houston, a new branch of Denver-based DiningOut Events and DiningOut Magazine, which serves as the voice of Colorado’s independent restaurant community. DiningOut Houston will have a similar voice, paying tribute to the city’s dynamic culinary community when it debuts in the fall.
While still in its infancy in Houston, DiningOut Events has long had a presence in Denver, and is lauded for its lively, multi-sensory food festivals. Beyond the RARE Steak Championship, which celebrated its fifth annual run in Denver this June, the company hosts Chicken Fight, a festival spotlighting chicken dishes of all kinds; and Top Taco, a taco competition that had its inaugural run in Houston this April.
Tickets to RARE are now available for purchase. General admission tickets are $125, and allow guests access to the grand tasting beginning at 7 pm; First Taste tickets are $175, with guests given early access to the grand tasting beginning at 6 p.m.; and VIP tickets are $245, with guests given early access to the grounds at 5:30 p.m. and full access to the Surf experience.
