Southern Smoke Foundation

Southern Smoke Foundation Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Southern Smoke Foundation, Charitable organisation, 2500 Summer Street, #3113, Houston, TX.

Southern Smoke Foundation (SSF) is a James Beard Foundation Impact Award-winning nonprofit that supports members of the food and beverage industry in crisis nationwide through emergency relief funding and access to mental health services.

05/08/2026

At the Behind You Classic, we asked these players why Southern Smoke Foundation's mental health program is the ultimate industry essential 🎙️

With over 11,000 no-cost sessions provided across 12 states, we’re just getting started!

Huge thanks to everyone who joined us on the green, including Sean of Kingfisher Durham, Paul of Ajja, Sam of Videri Chocolate Factory, SSF supporter Dina Whitaker, and SSF Board Member Kaitlyn Goalen for dropping some knowledge between swings🏌️

Missed the event? Support our mission here 👉 bit.ly/ssf-donate

Today is the day! While our players hit the green, we wanted to take a moment to thank our Behind You Classic partners.T...
05/04/2026

Today is the day! While our players hit the green, we wanted to take a moment to thank our Behind You Classic partners.

The Behind You Classic is more than a golf tournament. Funds raised during this event go towards emergency relief assistance and access to no-cost mental health counseling for NC food and beverage (F+B) workers.

We appreciate partners like these who make magic happen!

If you couldn't join us this year and want to join the fun from afar, our silent auction is live now 👉 bit.ly/behind-you-auction-26

05/01/2026

Passing the mic to the people who make this industry run 🎙️

Today marks the start of Mental Health Awareness Month and the launch of Kitchen Trenches—a new podcast from Amber Chase, food writer and Digital Director of The Local Palate.

Dedicated entirely to the voices of the servers, line cooks, bartenders and dishwashers, it's all about sharing the untold stories, which is a powerful first step towards wellness.

All month long, Southern Smoke Foundation will be sharing more about mental health and our Behind You program, so stay tuned!

The first two episodes of Kitchen Trenches are live NOW, with new drops coming every first Friday. Tap to listen 🎧 bit.ly/kitchen-trenches

Field Notes: Kentucky Bourbon barrel picking edition!SSF’s Founding Director  recently hit Louisville for the 2026 South...
04/29/2026

Field Notes: Kentucky Bourbon barrel picking edition!

SSF’s Founding Director recently hit Louisville for the 2026 Southern Smoke Bottle Club barrel selections. These liquid gold moments featured VIP guests: Decanted 2025 auction winners! 🥃

From to to , it was a marathon of tours, rare tastings and Kentucky culture in the best company.

We inhaled Jake’s biscuits, shared Creole feasts with friends, and learned from the best in the business—a perfect reminder of why we love this industry so much!

Special thanks to all the distilleries and chefs who hosted us, and to , .frank, and .jay for coming along for the ride.

Want in? Join the Southern Smoke Bottle Club to get these one-of-a-kind releases delivered straight to your door!

How it started ➡️ How it’s going.From a parking lot in Houston to a nationwide movement, Southern Smoke Festival has alw...
04/28/2026

How it started ➡️ How it’s going.

From a parking lot in Houston to a nationwide movement, Southern Smoke Festival has always been about one thing: Taking care of our food and beverage family.

Over the years, the layout has grown, the crowds have doubled, and the impact has reached every corner of the country—but that same mission and love for the industry remains at the center of it all 💛

The official line-up and ticket drop to Southern Smoke Festival 2026 is just around the corner!

04/24/2026

From coast to coast, the message is the same: We stand together 🤝

The industry that feeds us deserves a safety net that never fails. We’ve granted over $16M to F+B workers nationwide, and we’re just getting started.

Find out how you can stand with Southern Smoke at the link in our bio 🔗

A win for Southern Smoke is a win for the entire F+B industry.We're incredibly honored to be named a 2026 James Beard Fo...
04/21/2026

A win for Southern Smoke is a win for the entire F+B industry.

We're incredibly honored to be named a 2026 James Beard Foundation Impact Award Honoree, recognizing our commitment to setting new standards for a more equitable, sustainable, and economically viable restaurant industry.

Thank you to all the journalists who have taken the time to share the good news!

04/19/2026

Through our Behind You program, food and beverage workers can access up to 20 counseling sessions at no cost, in 12 states + Washington, D.C. and counting. Tap here to apply 👉 bit.ly/behind-you-ssf

Thanks to Sarah, SSF's Mental Health Program Manager, for breaking down some of the unexpected wins that come from therapy—benefits that ripple out into your shifts, your relationships, and your life outside the kitchen or bar.

04/17/2026

Cheers to all the local talent honored at the Tastemaker Awards last night 🥂

Thanks to for shining a spotlight on Houston’s food and beverage industry, and for making Southern Smoke Foundation the beneficiary for the 4th year in a row 💛

Interested in the SSF mission? Link in bio to learn about all the ways we take care of our own in Houston and nationwide!

Facing an unforeseen crisis? Southern Smoke's Emergency Relief Fund provides direct financial assistance nationwide to h...
04/15/2026

Facing an unforeseen crisis? Southern Smoke's Emergency Relief Fund provides direct financial assistance nationwide to help F+B workers get back on their feet.

Who Qualifies:
✅ Current F+B employees (30+ hours/week for 6+ months)
✅ Must earn a taxable income
✅ Crisis occurred within 6 months of applying

What We Need:
Contact information, employment information, and supporting documentation, including documentation showing how this crisis has impacted your financial stability. We know this can feel deeply personal, and we are here to support you through this step.

Emergency relief assistance is determined based on individual need and available SSF resources.

Learn more or get started on our confidential application process 🔗 bit.ly/ssf-programs

The Masters may be over in Augusta, but we’ll be handing out our own green jackets on May 4!We’re counting down to the B...
04/13/2026

The Masters may be over in Augusta, but we’ll be handing out our own green jackets on May 4!

We’re counting down to the Behind You Classic at North Carolina’s , hosted by Sam Ratto of , Matt Fern, and Adam Cunningham of .

Who has the drive to take the title from last year’s winning team and bring home some chef-themed swag? Either way you’re winning, funding no-cost mental health care for F+B workers in need.

From beginners to pros, from singles to teams of four, everyone’s welcome. Visit our bio link to claim your spot on the green ⛳

Address

2500 Summer Street, #3113
Houston, TX
77007

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