tex-mex spotlight dinner with chef brendan denne
Chef spotlight dinners at Travail are a highlight of our culinary calendar. These special events give our talented team the chance to flex their creative muscles and share their personal favorites with you. We view these dinners as a celebration of the hard work, passion, and dedication of our chefs. Each spotlight dinner is a chance to showcase an incredible member of our team, and our upcoming Tex-Mex Chef Spotlight Dinner with Chef Brendan Denne is no exception.
WE SAT DOWN WITH CHEF BRENDAN AND HERE IS WHAT HE HAD TO SAY ABOUT HIS UPCOMING DINNER
A Unique Twist on Tex-Mex
Chef Brendan Denne has always believed that great cooking is influenced by experiences, not just family traditions. He tells us about his childhood connection to food: “A lot of chefs grow up with an influence in the kitchen. I grew up obsessed with chicken Kiev from the Schwans guy. Don’t laugh! In many ways, it gave me a lot of freedom in my culinary explorations. I’m not tied to family traditions, and instead, I’ve absorbed influences from the kitchens I’ve worked in and my own life experiences.”
This sense of freedom is exactly what shapes Brendan’s approach to Tex-Mex cuisine. Many people associate Tex-Mex with cheap, greasy food, but Brendan views it differently. “Tex-Mex is actually a nuanced, hyper-localized cuisine,” he says. “Inland regions focus on hearty, grass-fed proteins, while the Gulf of Mexico influences coastal regions. Plus, it pairs so beautifully with cocktails. This food needs something different from wine—it needs a drink that’s bold, fun, and balanced.”
The Inspiration Behind the Menu
Brendan’s love for Tex-Mex cooking blossomed from his experiences in kitchens that embrace the cuisine’s playful nature. Unlike the strict rules of French cooking, Tex-Mex offers the freedom to experiment and focus on flavor over technique. For this dinner, he’s putting together dishes that truly highlight this focus on flavor.
“The focus of Tex-Mex is on making food that tastes incredible. It’s a perfect match for the vibe of this dinner—bold, exciting, and full of unexpected flavors.”
Curating a Menu for a Chef Spotlight Dinner
For Chef Brendan, creating a menu for a chef spotlight dinner is all about connection. These dinners offer an intimate space for guests to really get to know the chef and his cooking style.
“I always start by choosing three dishes that I really want to cook, and then I fill in the rest from there. For this Tex-Mex dinner, I knew I had to include a steak, and after a trip to San Antonio last month, I was inspired to add quail and redfish to the menu.” And since we’re lucky enough to work with the talented Robb Jones, the evening will feature curated cocktails using the extensive portfolio of spirits from Casa Lumbre, a unique Mexican spirit company. “We’ll be pairing the dishes with incredible drinks from Casa Lumbre’s portfolio that perfectly complement the flavors of the food,” Brendan adds.
What Dish Is Chef Brendan Most Excited About?
When asked which dish he’s most excited about, Brendan lights up. “I’m really excited about the quail dish. I haven’t worked with it much, but it was on so many menus in Texas during my trip, and I’m excited to work with it. I’m also looking forward to the caviar nacho with whipped Velveeta. We’re taking some of the more affordable elements of Tex-Mex and elevating them, giving them a whole new level of sophistication.”
What Can You Expect from a Chef Spotlight Dinner?
If you’ve never been to a chef spotlight dinner before, this is your chance to experience something truly special. The dinner setting is intimate, with only 24 seats per service. You’ll be able to engage with Chef Brendan directly as he cooks and shares his insights. “It’s a really personal experience,” he says. “I’ll walk you through each dish, talk about the ingredients, and share the stories behind them. Expect delicious cocktails, a chance to learn about the history of the dishes, and of course, incredible food.”
Collaborating with Artisans and Crafting the Perfect Pairings
For this Tex-Mex spotlight dinner, Chef Brendan is collaborating with Robb Jones from Meteor and the innovative Casa Lumbre, a farm-to-bottle Mexican spirit company. Casa Lumbre is known for its commitment to producing unique, diverse Mexican spirits, bringing the authentic flavors of Mexico straight to your glass. “We’re lucky to have them as a partner for this event,” says Brendan. “They’re a perfect fit for what we’re doing, especially the Nixta Liqueur, a corn liqueur made from a base of tender, ancestral maize, grown in the high valleys and foothills of the Nevado de Toluca volcano.”
The entire portfolio from Casa Lumbre boasts a lot of interesting liquor that Brendan and his team are excited to incorporate into the cocktails, even a Mexican whiskey called Abasolo Mexican Whiskey that’s also made from ancestral corn. The whiskey has deep, nuanced notes of roasted corn, honey, vanilla, black tea, and leather, revealed through nixtamalization. It’s unlike any other whisky profile.
What Should Guests Take Away from the Evening?
So, what does Chef Brendan hope guests will leave with at the end of the night?
“Tex-Mex isn’t just Texas Roadhouse and Chili’s—it’s a delicate, nuanced cuisine. It’s regional food that’s vastly different from coastal cities to inland cities, and there’s so much you can do with it. I want people to see how versatile Tex-Mex can be. More than just great food, the whole evening should feel like a dinner party with a private chef—great food, great drinks, and great company.”
Don’t Miss This Flavor-Filled Experience!
If you're ready for a night of bold flavors, innovative cocktails, and a deeper appreciation of Tex-Mex cuisine, you won’t want to miss this Chef Spotlight Dinner with Chef Brendan Denne. Space is limited to only 24 seats per service, so be sure to reserve your spot before it’s too late!
Come for the food, stay for the experience, and leave with a new understanding of what Tex-Mex can truly be.
