Fort Bend Restaurant Weeks was created to celebrate the incredible restaurants that make our community special while helping support neighbors facing food insecurity.

In its inaugural year, participating restaurants were invited because of their long-standing partnership with East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry (EFBHNM) or their commitment to supporting our biggest fundraiser of the year, the 17th Annual Empty Bowls Gala this June. Many of these chefs and restaurant owners have supported our mission for years through Fort Bend Empty Bowls, an annual community event that raises funds to provide groceries and emergency financial assistance to families in need.

Empty Bowls brings the community together over a simple meal of soup and bread to raise awareness about hunger in Fort Bend County. Over time, it has also built meaningful relationships with the restaurants that generously donate their time, talent, and resources to help our neighbors. The 17th Annual Fort Bend Empty Bowls will take place on June 12 at the Houston Marriott Sugar Land, continuing this meaningful tradition.

Fort Bend Restaurant Weeks grew out of those relationships. It has also been a longtime dream for our organization—an idea we’ve hoped to bring to life for years as a way to celebrate our restaurant community while expanding our impact. With the support and dedication of UpCLose Magazine, we are thrilled to finally see that vision become a reality.

This new event gives the community an opportunity to support the restaurants that have supported EFBHNM for years, while continuing the shared goal of ensuring families in Fort Bend County have access to the food and assistance they need.

UpClose Magazine, InKind and Amaro Law Firm sponsorships help make Fort Bend Restaurant Weeks possible and expands the reach of this exciting new event.

We are grateful to the chefs, restauranteurs, and hospitality professionals who have stood beside us—and we are excited to celebrate them during the very first Fort Bend Restaurant Weeks.