East Texas Chapter - Texas Restaurant Association

06/24/2026

🎙️ East Texas Restaurant Leadership on Display

We’re proud to see Scott Williams, Chair of the Texas Restaurant Association East Texas Chapter, featured on East Texas UNFILTERED with J. Chad Parker.

In this candid conversation, Scott shares his journey from working in restaurants as a young man to building some of East Texas’ most recognized dining destinations, including San Pedro’s, FD’s, Javi’s, Twelve, Three Palms, and Villagio. He talks about leadership, perseverance, hospitality, and the lessons learned through decades of growing restaurants and serving communities across East Texas.

As Chair of our East Texas Chapter, Scott brings that same passion and commitment to supporting restaurant operators throughout the region. His belief that taking care of people comes first is a value that resonates throughout our industry.

Thank you, Scott, for your leadership, your advocacy, and your continued investment in the East Texas restaurant community.

🎥 Watch the full interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3K-pywqHHE

The Restaurant Whisperer, Scott Williams, joins East Texas UNFILTER...

06/19/2026

East Texas restaurant and hospitality professionals — have you checked out the education lineup for the 2026 Texas Restaurant Show?

This year’s sessions are packed with insights and practical strategies covering the topics that matter most to our industry, including leadership, workforce development, operations, marketing, technology, and profitability.

📅 July 12-13, 2026
📍 San Antonio, Texas

𝐓𝐑𝐀 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 & 𝐁𝐚𝐫 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄!

View the Education Session Lineup:
https://trs2026.mapyourshow.com/8_0/explore/session-gallery.cfm

Secure Your Show Badge:
https://www.txrestaurantshow.com/attend

Download the Texas Restaurant Show App:
https://trs2026.mobile.mapyourshow.com/

Not a member? Know a fellow restaurant or bar operator who should attend? Email [email protected] to secure a complimentary pass.

If you have questions about the Show, your membership, or how to get more involved with TRA, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

06/09/2026

🌟 Member Spotlight: Chef Lance McWhorter 🌟

East Texas is making its mark on the culinary map thanks to leaders like Chef Lance McWhorter, owner and executive chef of Heritage East at Culture ETX in downtown Tyler.

A seventh-generation East Texan, Army and Navy veteran, and award-winning chef, Lance has built a reputation for honoring the rich traditions of East Texas cuisine while elevating them through world-class culinary techniques. Through Heritage East and The Plaid Rabbit Speakeasy, he’s showcasing the flavors, history, and culture of our region to guests from across Texas and beyond. (Culture ETX)

From winning The Texas Bucket List’s “Bite of the Season” to appearing on Food Network’s Chopped, Lance continues to raise the profile of East Texas hospitality while mentoring the next generation of culinary professionals. (Culture ETX)

We’re proud to have leaders like Lance as part of the Texas Restaurant Association family and grateful for his commitment to preserving and celebrating the heritage of East Texas through food.

By Jess Boggio · ETX Uncovered · June 6, 2026Editor's note: As this article was being finalized, Lance McWhorter received word that Heritage East has been nominated for the Texas Restaurant Association's Rising Star Award, to be presented July 12 in San Antonio. Once again, Lance is bringing East ...

06/08/2026

🎉𝑱𝒐𝒊𝒏 𝑼𝒔 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 2026 𝑻𝒆𝒙𝒂𝒔 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝑺𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒊𝒏 𝑺𝒂𝒏 𝑨𝒏𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒐! 🎉

The biggest restaurant and hospitality event in Texas is back, bringing together operators, industry leaders, innovative products, education, and networking opportunities all under one roof.

Whether you’re looking for fresh ideas, new solutions, or valuable industry connections, the Texas Restaurant Show is where Texas hospitality comes together.

✅ FREE registration for TRA Restaurant & Bar Operator Members

📍 San Antonio, Texas
📅 July 12-13, 2026
Register here: https://txrestaurantshow.com/Show/Show/Attend/Attend.aspx

𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠? 𝐄𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐜𝐛𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧@𝐭𝐱𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭.𝐨𝐫𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞.

Who’s planning to join us in San Antonio? Let us know below! 👇

Texas Restaurant Association

06/05/2026

🚨 MEMBER BENEFIT ALERT 🚨

The Texas Restaurant Association is excited to introduce a NEW member benefit available to ALL TRA members — complimentary access to our Consultancy Center Experts!

Members now receive up to THREE complimentary 15-minute consulting sessions each year to help navigate business challenges and operational decisions.

Our experts can provide guidance on:

✔ Workforce Strategy
✔ Menu Development
✔ Financial Planning
✔ Technology Adoption
✔ Permitting & Operations Support
✔ And More!

Whether you’re looking to improve operations, solve a specific challenge, or explore new opportunities for growth, our Consultancy Center Experts are here to help.

Getting started is easy — simply complete the online intake form to request your consultation: https://fs24.formsite.com/wsaaritramailorg/djwnz7dh59/index?

Take advantage of this valuable member benefit today!

06/01/2026

Texas hospitality shines brightest when we celebrate each other. ⭐

Join industry leaders from across the state at the 2026 Texas Restaurant Awards as we recognize the chefs, operators, innovators, and advocates who continue to elevate Texas hospitality.

Enjoy an evening of incredible food, signature cocktails, live entertainment, and meaningful connections while honoring the best and brightest in our industry. Plus, the evening’s afterparty supports the future of hospitality through industry-focused initiatives and programs.

We hope to see members of the East Texas Chapter (Tyler/Longview) hospitality community represented at this special statewide celebration. Let’s celebrate the people and businesses that make Texas restaurants extraordinary! 🍽️🥂

Texas Restaurant Association

https://tobi.tobincenter.org/Online/seatSelect.asp?createBO%3A%3AWSmap=1&BOparam%3A%3AWSmap%3A%3AloadBestAvailable%3A%3Aperformance_ids=8BCA988E-A534-46EB-BB43-53B19722323B

05/21/2026

📈 Trend or fad? Knowing the difference can make all the difference for your business.

Join the Texas Restaurant Association and Datassential for an exclusive webinar designed to help restaurant operators better understand what today’s consumers actually want — and which trends are truly worth paying attention to.

From value-driven dining to balancing health, wellness, and indulgence, this session will break down what’s gaining momentum, what’s fading fast, and what has real staying power. Backed by real consumer and menu data, you’ll walk away with insights to help guide smarter menu, marketing, and business decisions.

🎤 Panelists:
• Kelsey Erickson Streufert, Chief Public Affairs Officer, TRA
• Renee Lee Wege, Trendologist & Senior Publications Manager, Datassential

⭐ TRA Member Exclusive Webinar
Not a member yet? Email [email protected] to join today!

05/20/2026

🔥 Calling all Texas chefs! The Texas Restaurant Association and the Texas Restaurant Show are launching an exciting NEW culinary competition this year — the 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐓𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐬 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧! 🇨🇱🍴

Chefs from across Texas are invited to apply by June 1 for the chance to compete live at the Texas Restaurant Show on July 12 in a fast-paced, two-round tapas competition highlighting creativity, technique, and bold Texas flavor.

Up to eight chefs will be selected, and the winning chef will earn the incredible opportunity to represent Texas at the Tapas of America event in Querétaro, Mexico — with a chance to advance to the World Tapas Competition in Spain! 🌎✨

This exciting new competition shines a spotlight on the talent, innovation, and culinary excellence found throughout Texas hospitality.

📣 Applications are open now through June 1!
Apply here: https://txrestaurantshow.com/Show/Explore/Lone-Star-Tapas-Showdown-Chef.aspx

05/05/2026

✨𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐬 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 ✨

Join us for the 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬—an unforgettable evening honoring the talent, creativity, and leadership that define our industry.

📍 Sunday, July 12
📍 Tobin Center for the Performing Arts | San Antonio

Enjoy an incredible night featuring:
🍽️ Chef-driven bites from across Texas
🍸 Signature cocktails
🏆 Recognition of the industry’s top talent
🎶 Live entertainment + an after party with a purpose

This is more than an awards show—it’s a celebration of the people and passion driving Texas hospitality forward.

👉 Get your tickets today: https://bit.ly/4cPJ7DY

Come celebrate. Come connect. Come be inspired.