On 24 February 2026, Houston’s culinary community gathered at the State of Grace restaurant for an exclusive industry lunch celebrating the diversity, quality, and heritage of European food and drinks. Organized in partnership with StarChefs as part of the European Union’s “More than European Food and Drinks, Savoring Stories” campaign, the event brought together leading chefs, restaurateurs, and hospitality professionals for an immersive tasting and networking experience centered on European ingredients.
The three-hour event welcomed 45 industry attendees, who explored a menu showcasing 27 products from 17 EU Member States, including several with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), and organic certifications. The curated experience highlighted how traditional European ingredients can inspire creativity and innovation in contemporary kitchens.
A Chef-Driven Experience
The lunch was led by Chef Bobby Matos, whose ingredient-focused culinary philosophy made the venue an ideal setting for the event. Together with Executive Chef Ryan Lachaine, Chef Matos crafted a progressive, family-style menu designed to demonstrate the versatility of European ingredients. Each course was introduced tableside, allowing guests to hear directly from the chefs about the inspiration behind the dishes and the role that specific European products played in shaping the flavors and textures of the menu.
The lunch moved from reception bites into a shared tasting journey, combining direct sampling opportunities with chef-prepared dishes. Guests explored a curated cheese board featuring products such as Queso Manchego PDO from Spain, Noord-Hollandse Gouda PDO from the Netherlands, and Denmark’s Danablu PGI, alongside cured meats including Prosciutto di San Daniele PDO from Italy and Jambon de Bayonne PGI from France.
Other ingredients highlighted throughout the meal included Parmigiano Reggiano PDO from Italy, Portugal’s Azeite de Trás-os-Montes PDO olive oil, Swedish lingonberry jam, Hungarian honey, and Irish butter. European wines - Austria’s Burgenland PDO and Slovenia’s Podravje PGI - complemented the dishes, adding further regional character to the tasting experience.
Discovering New Possibilities with European Ingredients
The opportunity to taste products both on their own and within finished dishes sparked lively discussions among attendees about flavor, sourcing and menu applications. Several participants commented on the quality and versatility of the ingredients, with one guest remarking, “This Irish butter is so good - always big fans of Irish butter at my restaurant” while another noted their enthusiasm to use it in pastries and croissants. Others were excited to discover lesser-known ingredients, such as Polish wild sea buckthorn powder, described by one attendee as “such a fun ingredient I’ve never heard of.”
The diversity of products also stood out to many participants. One attendee highlighted how refreshing it was to see a wide range of European regions represented, saying it was “nice to see not only the big guys like France and Portugal - the Hungarian honey is really cool.” For others, the event was simply an enjoyable way to reconnect with peers while discovering new flavors. As one guest put it, “This is the best way to meet some friends and discover new things.”
By bringing together industry professionals around a shared table, the European lunch event in Houston once again demonstrated how high-quality ingredients and culinary storytelling can spark dialogue, creativity and collaboration, while showcasing the rich diversity of European food and drink.
The More than European Food and Drinks, Savoring Stories 2026 upcoming events for food & beverage professionals include:
Vinexpo Miami – April 29-30, 2026, Miami, FL
National Restaurant Association Show – May 16-19, 2026, Chicago, IL
Bar Convent – June 9-10, 2026, New York, NY
For more information about the campaign, please check and follow us on:
Instagram: @MorethanfoodUS
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/more-than-food-us/
Email: morethanfood_US@agripromotion.eu
Website: more-than-food-us.campaign.europa.eu
Podcast series: European Tasty Tales | Podcast on Spotify
EU Delegation to the United States: @euintheus
