2026 Taste of the Town draws thousands of discriminating diners; ‘Best of Taste’ winners chosen for the 40th time

THE WOODLANDS, TX – The highly anticipated 2026 Taste of the Town, hosted by The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce, returned to The Woodlands Waterway Marriott to clamorous acclaim and a packed house of thousands of attendees wanting a taste of the best The Woodlands has to offer in food and drink.

2026 marked the 40th anniversary of the event, which survived the decades as well as COVID (for one year in the form of a month-long drive-up scavenger hunt over a single evening).

The Taste of the Town event has been a Woodlands area mainstay for years, where dozens of restaurants, bars, eateries, dineries, and vendors set up shop to allow the attendees sample their wares. Each booth was judged for the 2026 ‘Best of Taste’ competition. The winners announced included:

• Best Appetizer: Goode Company Fish Camp
• Best Entrée: The Capital Grille
• Best Dessert: rise soufflé
• People’s Choice Award: Lighthouse Catering

While the ‘People’s Choice’ award was voted on by the crowd, the other categories were voted on by the official judges, who included Logan Baker, Team Chef, Houston Astros; Ted Harris, Woodlands Mall; Mayor Paul Bond, City of Oak Ridge North; Stuart Barrett, Entergy Texas / Chamber Vice Chairman of the Board; Debbie Kaschik, The Young Learners Academy / Chamber Board VP of Signature Events; Michelle Little, Waste Connections, Inc. / Chamber Board Member; Noemi Gonzalez, Market Street, and Laura Landsbaum, PaperCity The Woodlands.

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