The Texas Food & Wine Alliance (TFWA) is now accepting applications for its 2025 Culinary Grant Program, which will award more than $175,000 to chefs, restaurants, and food and beverage entrepreneurs across Texas — the largest distribution in the organization’s history. Applications open Tuesday, Aug.19, and close Sunday, Sept. 20.
Now in its 13th year, the TFWA Grant Program offers direct support to chefs, farmers, artisan producers, distillers, nonprofits and culinary businesses whose work demonstrates both innovation and community impact. Eligible applicants may be located anywhere in Texas, with select funds earmarked for Austin, San Antonio, Dallas and Houston.
“Every year, we are blown away by the creativity and community-minded spirit of Texas’ culinary leaders,” said Jessica Sanders, Board President of the Texas Food & Wine Alliance. “This year’s record-breaking grant pool is a testament to our mission — to champion innovation, support independent businesses, and invest in the future of food and beverage across Texas.”
Individual grants will range from $2,500 to $50,000, and recipients may be eligible for multiple awards. This year’s funding includes $95,500 in sponsored grants and $79,500 in general open-pool funds.
The 2025 Texas Food & Wine Alliance named grants are as follows:
- The Favor Delivery Grants for Local Restaurants ($10,000): Awarded to a locally-owned and operated restaurant or food truck that actively supports and gives back to their community.
- The H-E-B Grant Supporting Diversity and Inclusion ($5,000): Open to greater San Antonio area chefs, farmers, artisan producers, food-focused nonprofits, and educational groups that prioritize education, diversity and inclusion.
- The Luck, Texas Grant for Food Education and Access ($20,000): Awarded to a farm, sourcer, food purveyor, agricultural business or non-profit project that will further food access or agricultural education in their community.
- The Luck Family Community Builders Grant ($20,000): Awarded to a restaurant, food truck, chef or culinary non-profit project that builds community resilience and fosters a spirit of exemplary connection with their local neighborhood and patrons.
- The Tito’s Handmade Vodka Entrepreneur Grants ($20,000 total; $5,000 each in Austin, San Antonio, Dallas and Houston): Awarded to an entrepreneur in each of the following areas: Austin, San Antonio, Houston and Dallas. This grant will be awarded to an entrepreneur who has pursued their business dream despite setbacks. The winners of this grant have shown that success often comes from failures, as exemplified by Tito’s Handmade Vodka and their pursuit of Texas-made vodka. Winners must be 21+ and the organization must not hold a liquor or beer/wine license.
- Les Dames d’Escoffier Austin Supporting Women in Business Grant ($5,000): Provides seed funding or business support for a culinary business that is either woman-owned or led by a woman with the majority of the decision-making power.
- Les Dames d’ Escoffier Dallas Supporting Women in Business Grant ($3,000): Provides seed funding or business support for a culinary business that is either woman-owned or led by a woman with the majority of the decision-making power located in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex region. Recipients must be located in one of the following counties: Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Hunt, Kaufman and Rockwall. Hood, Johnson, Parker, Somervell, Tarrant and Wise Counties. Members of Les Dames d’ Escoffier International are not eligible.
- The Gina Burchenal Grant ($5,000): Awarded to a woman-owned or women-led organization and honoring Alliance past-President Gina Burchenal, a former Austin chef/caterer who has volunteered and served the Austin community.
- The Shari Braly Grant for Emerging Woman Restaurateur ($5,000): Awarded to an emerging woman-owned restaurant or food-truck who reflects the passion, determination and spirit of hospitality exemplified by Shari Braly, long-time Austin restaurateur and founder of Cherry Creek Catfish Co.
- The Jeff Conarko Grant for Sustainability ($2,500): Given in honor of Jeff Conarko, co-founder of Con’Olio Oils & Vinegars, and awarded to a business or organization that demonstrates commitment to sustainable and traceable practices.
Prospective applicants interested in the grant process can participate in three information sessions:
- Monday, Aug. 25 – Virtual Online Session – 6-7 p.m. CDT
- Thursday, Sept. 4 – Virtual Online Session 1-2 p.m. CDT
- Monday, Sept. 15 – In-Person at Carver Public Library 4-6 p.m. CDT (This session includes a hands-on application workshop.)
The TFWA Grant Judging Committees are composed of an independent panel of prominent culinary professionals and community members. Because the judges are deeply involved in the community, their names are kept anonymous. The committee makes all decisions on grant awards and are based on the grant criteria, application information and the goals of each applicant. The judges serve two-year terms.
This year’s grant program is made possible, in part, by the generous support of H-E-B, Tito’s Handmade Vodka and The Luck Family Foundation. H-E-B also returns as the presenting sponsor of the 2025 Culinary Grant Awards Gala, to be held in Austin on Thursday, Dec. 11 (venue and additional details to be announced soon). In addition, the Alliance is the proud beneficiary of the Austin Food + Wine Festival, a three-day tribute to world-renowned chefs and winemakers returning this fall, Nov. 7–9. Stay tuned for ticket announcements coming soon.
To view the FAQ, sample application, eligibility requirements and a list of past recipients, please visit www.texasfoodandwinealliance.org/grants. Stay up to date with Texas Food & Wine Alliance happenings on Facebook and Instagram.
