HR905 - Honoring Ernest Servantes of Burnt Bean Co. in Seguin for his contributions as a pitmaster and restaurateur.

      H.R. No. 905       R E S O L U T I O N          WHEREAS, Ernest Servantes has distinguished himself through   his accomplishments as a pitmaster and co-owner of Burnt Bean Co. in   Seguin; and          WHEREAS, A self-trained chef from Uvalde, Ernest Servantes   began his restaurant career as a dishwasher and busser; he went on   to work as a corporate trainer for Outback Steakhouse and as a cook   for Huisache Grill in New Braunfels, and he later enjoyed a 15-year   tenure as an executive chef with Sodexo, overseeing dining services   at Texas Lutheran University; and          WHEREAS, After honing his barbecue skills on his backyard   grill, Mr. Servantes joined a competitive team, and they entered   and won their first cook-off in 2009; over the succeeding years,   they continued to overcome the competition at local, regional, and   state barbecue contests; he went on to earn national attention with   his victory in a 2012 episode of the Food Network show Chopped Grill   Masters ; and          WHEREAS, In 2019, Mr. Servantes and former rival   pitmaster-turned-teammate Dave Kirkland joined forces to launch a   pop-up restaurant, which consistently sold out within an hour of   opening; despite the pandemic, they took their business to the next   level, establishing the brick-and-mortar Burnt Bean Co. in 2020 to   wide acclaim; known for its traditional meats, its Mexican-inspired   sides, and its rotating brunch menu, the eatery has been ranked   among the best barbecue joints in the state by both Texas Monthly   and The New York Times , and it received a Michelin Bib Gourmand   Award in 2024; moreover, Mr. Servantes and Mr. Kirkland were   recognized for their culinary prowess as James Beard Award   semifinalists in the Best Chef: Texas category; and          WHEREAS, Through his inventive and skillful take on a classic   Texas cuisine, Ernest Servantes is elevating Seguin's place on the   culinary map, and he has earned the admiration and appreciation of   his fellow citizens; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas   Legislature hereby honor Ernest Servantes for his contributions as   a pitmaster and restaurateur and extend to him sincere best wishes   for continued success in all his endeavors; and, be it further          RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be   prepared for Mr. Servantes as an expression of high regard by the   Texas House of Representatives.     Martinez Fischer     ______________________________   Speaker of the House                 I certify that H.R. No. 905 was adopted by the House on May   23, 2025, by a non-record vote.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House