RECOMMEND MUSAAFER FOR A JAMES BEARD
DEADLINE IS 11/30/26 AT 10:50PM CENTRAL TIME
Cuisine: Indian | Opened 5/18/2020
Categories: See + in Instructions Pull Down
Location: Houston, TX
Restaurant Category
CLICK THE + FOR INSTRUCTIONS
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Owners: Shammi & Mithu Malik
Corporate Exec. Chef: Mayank Istwal
Executive Pastry Chef: Sumant K. Sharma
Bartender: Aniket Bhingare
Website: https://musaaferhouston.com
Restaurant Email: reservation@musaaferhouston.com
Chef’s email: mayank.istwal@thespicerouteco.com
Instagram: @musaaferhouston
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Choose As Many As You Wish
#1 Outstanding Restaurant
A restaurant that demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations.
Eligible candidates must have been in business for at least five years.
The plaque is given to the winning restaurant and the medallion is given to the restaurant’s principal owner, general manager, or chef, at the discretion of the restaurant.
#2 Outstanding Hospitality
A restaurant, bar, or bakery that fosters a sense of hospitality among its customers and staff that serves as a beacon for the community and demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations.
Eligible candidates have been in operation for at least five years.
A plaque is given to the winning establishment and the medallion is given to the establishment’s principal owner, general manager, or chef at the discretion of the establishment.
#3 Outstanding Wine or Beverage Program
An establishment that demonstrates exceptional vision, care, expertise, and hospitality through its beverage program. This includes the thoughtful curation, preparation, presentation, and service of alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks with food such that it enhances the dining experience and expands or deepens diners’ appreciation of beverages. Beverage programs should reflect a clear point of view, a commitment to quality, and ethical sourcing where applicable.
The beverage program must be part of a restaurant, bar, cafe or other establishment where beverages are an integral part of the dining experience.
The establishment must have been in operation for at least three years.
A plaque is given to the winning establishment, and the medallion is given to the principal owner or beverage lead, at the discretion of the establishment.
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If the Royer Family have given you a meal you'll remember, please take a few minutes to tell the James Beard Foundation why.
Your recommendation can speak from your own experience: the food, the storytelling, the Indigenous culinary research, the ingredients, the hospitality, or simply why you believe theirwork deserves national recognition.
Recommend Royer’s Round Top Café in the “American Classic” category by November 30, 2026.
Every recommendation helps bring attention not only to Royer’s, but also to the remarkable story being told right here in Round Top, Texas.
Thank you for dining with us, supporting us and helping share the Royer’s story.
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You must visit https://jamesbeardawards.awardsplatform.com/ and submit before November 30th, 2028 at 10:59pm Central time to make the deadline.
Recommend Shammi & Mithu Malik, Chef Mayank, Chef Sumant and Musaafer
Anyone can recommend the James Beard Foundation take a closer look at a Chef, Mixologist, Bar or Restaurant. Best of all…it’s FREE.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO GATHER (SEE INSTRUCTIONS PANELS )
You will need to know the category/ies / eligibility which you can find in our pulldown instructions menus for each candidate, or at the link here.
Or download the JBF PDF here.You’ll need to add the email address reservation@musaaferhouston.com, so that in the event they are advanced to semi-finalist or nomination, JBF can notify them.
You’ll need to write 150 words or make a short cell-phone video of WHY you think they should be considered. Please don’t use ChatGPT or AI as it will not be accepted. See our ‘Inspiration” section above.
That’s IT! The process takes no more than 6-7 minutes and again, even though it takes you to a “checkout page” there is a $0.00 amount on JBF’s website at checkout. CVhoose as many categories as you wish. There is no limit.
You do not need to write like a food critic.
The most useful recommendation is specific, personal, and authentic.
Instead of:
“MUSAAFER is the best restaurant in Houston.”
Consider explaining:
What did you eat?
What surprised you?
What did you learn?
What did you remember the next day?
What made the experience different from other restaurants?Think about:
A DISH
What did you eat that you still remember?
A FLAVOR
Was there an ingredient, spice, technique, or combination that surprised you?
A PERSON
Did someone on the MUSAAFER team make your experience especially memorable?
A MOMENT
Was there a particular moment during your meal that made you think, “This is special”?
THE EXPERIENCE
What made MUSAAFER different from other restaurants you have visited?
THE IMPACT
Did the experience change your understanding of Indian cuisine or Houston’s culinary scene?
A FEW IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER
Please use your own words.
There is no need to copy language from this page.
Please recommend only categories you genuinely believe fit.
You do not need to recommend every category.
One great personal experience can be enough.
You do not need to be a restaurant critic or culinary expert.
Be specific.
A memorable dish, cocktail, dessert, server interaction, or dining experience is much more meaningful than a general compliment.
Don’t exaggerate.
The James Beard Foundation independently evaluates recommendations and candidates.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Chef Mayank Istwal Categories
CLICK THE + FOR INSTRUCTIONS
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Owners: Shammi & Mithu Malik
Corporate Exec. Chef: Mayank Istwal
Executive Pastry Chef: Sumant K. Sharma
Bartender: Aniket Bhingare
Website: https://musaaferhouston.com
Restaurant Email: reservation@musaaferhouston.com
Chef’s email: mayank.istwal@thespicerouteco.com
Instagram: @musaaferhouston
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Choose As Many As You Wish
#1 Outstanding Chef
A chef who sets high culinary standards and has served as a positive example for other food professionals.
Eligible candidates must have been working as a chef for at least five years.
The medallion and a plaque are given to the winning chef or chefs, in the case of a pair or team of chefs who are understood to be equal partners in the endeavor.
#2 Chefs who set high standards in their culinary skills and leadership abilities and who are making efforts to help create a sustainable work culture in their respective regions.
A candidate may be from any kind of dining establishment but must have been working as a chef in the region for at least three years.
The medallion and a plaque are given to the winning chef or chefs, in the case of a pair or team of chefs who are generally understood to be equal partners in the endeavor.
Regions
Texas
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If you’ve enjoyed Chef Mayank’s vision, consistency and commitment to quality, please write a 150-300 word impact statement when you recommend him.
For inspiration, click here
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You must visit https://jamesbeardawards.awardsplatform.com/ and submit before November 30th, 2028 at 10:59pm Central time to make the deadline.
Restaurateurs Category Shammi & Mithu Malik
CLICK THE + FOR INSTRUCTIONS
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Owners: Shammi & Mithu Malik
Corporate Exec. Chef: Mayank Istwal
Executive Pastry Chef: Sumant K. Sharma
Bartender: Aniket Bhingare
Website: https://musaaferhouston.com
Restaurant Email: reservation@musaaferhouston.com
Emails: shammi.malik@thespicerouteco.com
mithu.malik@thespicerouteco.com
Instagram: @musaaferhouston
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Outstanding Restaurateur
A restaurateur who uses their establishment(s) as a vehicle for building community, demonstrates creativity in entrepreneurship, and integrity in restaurant operations.
Eligible candidates must have been in the restaurant business for at least seven years, and they must not have won a James Beard Chef Award in the past three years.
The medallion and a plaque are given to the winning restaurateur or restaurateurs, in the case of a pair or team of restaurateurs who are generally understood to be equal partners in the endeavor.
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If you’ve been impressed by co-founders Shammi & Mithu Malik, their incredible global journey, belief in Houston and their vision, consistency and commitment to quality, please write a 150-300 word impact statement when you recommend them
For inspiration, click here
https://mccartneystudios.com/the-maliks
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You must visit https://jamesbeardawards.awardsplatform.com/ and submit before November 30th, 2028 at 10:59pm Central time to make the deadline.
Pastry Chef Sumant K. Sharma Categories
CLICK THE + FOR INSTRUCTIONS
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Owners: Shammi & Mithu Malik
Corporate Exec. Chef: Mayank Istwal
Executive Pastry Chef: Sumant K. Sharma
Bartender: Aniket Bhingare
Website: https://musaaferhouston.com
Restaurant Email: reservation@musaaferhouston.com
Chef’s email: mayank.istwal@thespicerouteco.com
Instagram: @musaaferhouston
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#1 Outstanding Pastry Chef
A pastry chef demonstrates exceptional skill in the preparation of composed and plated desserts, pastries, or confections within a restaurant or other full-service dining setting.
Eligible candidates must have been working as a pastry chef for at least five years.
The medallion and a plaque are given to the winning chef or chefs, in the case of a pair or team of chefs who are generally understood to be equal partners in the endeavor.
#2 Outstanding Baker or Dessert Professional
New
A baker or dessert maker who demonstrates exceptional skill, creativity, and mastery in the preparation of breads, pastries, baked goods, confections, frozen desserts, chocolates, or other sweets. Candidates may be affiliated with a restaurant, bakery, retail business, pop-up, or other food business, and do not need a brick-and-mortar presence.
Eligible candidates must have been working in their profession for at least five years.
The medallion and a plaque are given to the winning baker or dessert professional, or a pair or team of bakers/dessert professionals who are generally understood to be equal partners in the endeavor.
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IIf you’ve enjoyed Chef Sumant Sharma’s sweet treats and his playful interpretations, his vision, consistency and commitment to quality, please write a 150-300 word impact statement when you recommend him.
For inspiration, click here
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You must visit https://jamesbeardawards.awardsplatform.com/ and submit before November 30th, 2028 at 10:59pm Central time to make the deadline.