Southern Smoke Foundation

Catch top chefs putting YETI cookware to the test live on the YETI Culinary Stage at SSF26, happening at Discovery Green on Saturday, October 3! On top of 80+ chefs and beverage pros keeping you happy on the lawn, you can expect live-action cooking demos from this incredible line-up. Swipe to see the schedule and plan your day👇 Tap here if you still haven’t gotten your tickets 😉 bit.ly/ssf26

We’ve been keeping a close eye on Saturday’s forecast and have been consulting with our friends at Space City Weather. Their latest outlook calls for a chance of scattered showers across the region, but they don’t expect Saturday to be a washout. In fact, they anticipate the heaviest rain will stay closer to the coast and away from downtown Houston. Of course, we’re not taking any chances! We’ve made a few extra preparations to help keep everyone comfortable and dry, including additional tenting throughout Discovery Green, a large tent covering the seating at the YETI Culinary Stage, Southern Smoke yellow ponchos (obviously!), and turf to help protect the grass. And don’t forget, there are plenty of places to duck inside, too. Our friends at The Palm Beaches will be activating inside The Lake House, much of Lexus VIP will be indoors at The Grove, and our Merch Tent and Kindred Stories bookstore will be protected by awnings and additional tenting. So bring your rain jacket, grab a poncho, and come ready to have a great day. There will be incredible food, plenty of drinks, a whole lot of talent, and, most importantly, the Southern Smoke community together in one place. Rain or shine, we’ll see you Saturday!

Want to make someone’s whole shift? Keep reading! Behind every seamless night out, there’s someone killing it on the line, shaking up your favorite sip, or keeping the floor running smoothly. At SSF, we're all about supporting industry workers year-round, but National Food Service Workers Day is the perfect time to show a little extra love—you KNOW they've earned it. Whether you're thinking about your last shift or your favorite spot to dine, tag someone who makes it special in the comments🧑🍳👇

Love, beer, and a little divine intervention... Saint Arnold is the patron saint of brewers—and an ordained minister. (We told you Festival has everything.) After a decade away from the altar, Saint Arnold Brewing Company is dusting off the ceremonial robes to bring weddings back for SSF26! Want to tie the knot at Festival? Say "I do" to the idea by sending us a DM, and bring your marriage license—we’ll handle the rest. Even better, every couple legally married at SSF26 will be entered to win the Ultimate Houston Honeymoon, featuring: 🔸 A one-night stay in a Premier Executive Suite at Four Seasons Hotel Houston 🔸 Brunch at Saint Arnold Brewing Company 🔸 Two VIP tickets to SSF27 for your first anniversary Already married? Vow renewals are welcome, too! Just drop by the Saint Arnold tent—no advance notice or appointments required. *Bonus history: Saint Arnold was SSF’s very first beer partner in 2015. More than a decade later, we're pretty excited to have them raising a glass (and maybe a few wedding bells) with us again.

High flavor, low impact ♻️ Southern Smoke Foundation is proud to partner with fellow James Beard Impact Award Winner ReFED, along with blue strike environmental to push our 2026 festival toward a zero-waste event! 🔸 100% BPI-certified compostable serviceware transforms into nutrient-rich fertilizer instead of landfill waste. 🔸 Two-stream sorting keeps things simple, directing guests to either compost or recycle. 🔸 Extra edible food goes directly to local hunger relief organizations. 🔸 Upcycling means even our vinyl festival banners and fencing scrim get a second life! 👇 Drop a comment if we'll see you there on October 3—and if not, here's your reminder to grab tickets! 🎟️ bit.ly/ssf26

988 and Crisis Text Line are available 24/7 for anxiety, grief, loneliness, a really bad day… anything that feels like too much right now. September is Suicide Prevention Month, and we're sharing outside resources for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. Reaching out can feel intimidating when you don't know what to expect, so we asked a training clinician at Michigan School of Psychology to walk us through it. 📱 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for around the clock support. 📱 Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a counselor. Please note: These are not official Southern Smoke Foundation partners. They are vetted, external resources for people experiencing a mental health crisis. Behind You does not provide crisis intervention services directly, so we rely on and appreciate organizations like these offering 24/7 care. 🎥 Brandy Baker, Michigan School of Psychology

For the bourbon nerds, the collectors, and the hunters: This one is for you 🥃 We’re releasing our newest SSF Bottle Club selection, and not only is it an incredible catch, it’s a true full-circle moment—from Chris' first sneak peek at Willet Distillery in 2018 to a 48-hour barrel picking journey in April 2026 with Binders Stash. The barrel of choice? A Willet experimental from Rickhouse 1 (built after prohibition in 1937). Get all the incredible details here 👉 bit.ly/binders-stash-26 and find out how to claim one for yourself by joining the SSF Bottle Club 🔗 bit.ly/ssf-bottle-club

Join Southern Smoke Foundation and Houston Hospitality Alliance for our SSF26 kickoff event at Julep bar on Friday, September 25 from 3-7 pm! Come mix, mingle, and network with our F+B community as we raise a glass to the industry. This event is free and open to everyone—no festival ticket required! Expect drink specials at the bar, plus a few perks if you’re heading to SSF26: 🎟️ Early Badge Pick-Up: Already got your festival ticket? Grab your badge early so you can skip the lines and head straight to the Fast Pass entrance at Discovery Green on October 3! 🎟️ Tickets & Gear: Festival tickets and groovy merch will be up for grabs. See y'all there!

Check out the Food & Wine Best New Chefs cooking at Southern Smoke Festival, presented by Sysco!⁠ ⁠ Huge congratulations to the entire class of 2026 Food & Wine Best New Chefs. We're so excited to be in New York to welcome these talented pros to the SSF family. Also joining the lineup is Chef Tom Rogers of Food & Wine's 2026 Restaurant of the Year John's Food & Wine 👏 ⁠ Get your tickets to #SSF26 👉 bit.ly/ssf26 and catch this year's #FWBNC at the Food & Wine Best New Chefs Area, presented by Skadden, on October 3!⁠ 🔥

The most coveted spots at Southern Smoke Festival 2026 are in the Lexus VIP experience! Here’s a sneak peek 👀 🔸 Mini omakase and sake tasting with Sushi Horiuchi (the hardest reservation to get in Houston) 🔸 Fried snapper from Lexus Chef Tiffany Derry 🔸 MELT Ice Creams from Kari Seher 🔸 Burrata and balsamic with Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio 🔸 Shrimp + caviar from Birdie’s 🔸 Sips from Julep, High Wire Distilling Company, Dear Irving... ...and so much more. Did we mention the air conditioning? While Lexus VIP passes are officially sold out, you can still get VIP access by sponsoring a chef. You have until Friday, September 18 to get in on the party! Tap here for more 🥂 bit.ly/ssf-chef-sponsor-26