Evelyn Garcia & Henry Lu - Jūn: Chef Demo

WHO: Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu are the co-owners and executive chefs at JŪN, a widely acclaimed Houston restaurant that was a 2024 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best New Restaurant, and most recently a 2025 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chefs: Texas.ABOUT: Born to Mexican and El Salvadoran parents, Chef Garcia grew up in Houston, Texas. Early on, she worked at her parents’ restaurant, Chelyn’s Grill. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), she traveled through India and Thailand and then honed her chops at Jean-Georges Spice Market, Masak, and Kin Shop (where she met Henry Lu). She tasted national fame when she made it to the finals of the Houston-based season of Top Chef in 2022.Chef Lu was raised in the Bronx and, as a youth, worked in his family’s Chinese restaurants. After getting an art history degree, he studied at the French Culinary Institute and then worked at Pearl and Ash and Llama Inn, among other places. From 2017 to 2020, he was the Executive Chef of Four Happy Men Hospitality Group, which included Loosie’s Kitchen, Loosie’s Rouge, Etiquette Space & Cafe, and Sauced. During that time, his work was featured on Eater and in New York, Food & Wine, and Gotham magazine. Recently, Henry was in Top Chef season 22, which took place in Toronto, Canada.JŪN, which opened in 2023, is a celebration of HOUSTON, Texas — the flavors, spirit, and ever-changing landscape. Chefs Garcia and Lu are inspired by the traditions that have shaped this city and state and which make up its diverse cultures, ingredients, and stories.At JUN, they pay homage to where Texas has been while exploring where its food is evolving. JŪN cooks with pride, curiosity, and a deep respect for the land and the people who define it. The Houston Chronicle said JŪN was Houston's "most exciting new restaurant" when it launched. Houstonia Magazine asked “Is JŪN the most Houston restaurant”. It was a Best of Best winner on the 2023 Robb Report list, and Best New Restaurant 2023 at The Infatuation. In 2024, it earned a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best New Restaurant, and most recently, it was a 2025 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chefs: Texas. In spring 2025, Garcia and Lu opened their latest concept — a daytime café called Third Place — which operates out of the current Jūn space and supports fellow artisans and chefs community. Lu and Garcia are also co-owners of Kin HTX, a catering and event company that hosts pop-ups and produces Southeast Asian condiments for sale at farmers' markets, online and local grocers. They've also created a podcast: Loaded Potatoes Show (@loadedpotatoesshow).WHAT: Join us for a culinary tour around Texas as Lu and Garcia demonstrate dishes that integrate intoxicating Latin and Asian flavors into some of their most popular dishes.Included: -4- Course meal with complimetnary paired sparkling white & red wines -custom receipe booklet -value offers from our sponsors