El Bolillo is celebrating the Grand Opening at its Mission Bend bakery with its Days of Deals promotion. Credit: Photo by Andrew Hemingway

Mark your calendars, because you donโ€™t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings:

El Bolillo Bakery Mission Bend, 6704 South Texas 6, will celebrate its Grand Opening with Days of Deals running from Tuesday, January 2 through Saturday, January 6. Visitors can enjoy specials including 25-cent bolillos on January 2, BOGO conchas on January 3, free tortillas on January 4, free cafรฉcito on January 5, and a Rosca de Reyes Celebration on January 6.

Brennanโ€™s of Houston is partnering with Belong Kitchen on New Guest Chef Meal as part of Belong Kitchenโ€™s Guest Chef Series. Offered Wednesday, January 3 only, locals can pick up a Brennanโ€™s-recipe gumbo at Belongโ€™s west Houston kitchen, 9655 Katy Freeway. The take-and-heat 64-ounce shrimp gumbo meal includes one quart of rice, a side salad and garlic bread with optional add-on of pecan pie for $60 (feeds four to six). Pickup starts at 11 a.m. No pre-order necessary.

On Friday, January 5, tickets will go on sale for the second annual Game & Ranch Dinner, held at Rainbow Lodge, 2011 Ella, on Thursday, January 25. The evening begins with an Angelโ€™s Envy bourbon and rye tasting reception at 6 p.m. with passed game tastes and live Texas-style tunes, followed by a seated four-course wild game and game bird dinner. Tickets (limited to 50 guests) are $215++ and festive ranch and rodeo attire encouraged.

Theย highly-anticipated 2024 Houston BBQ Throwdown will go down Sunday, January 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Saint Arnold Brewery, 2000 Lyons. The fan favorite event challenges local pitmasters to create โ€œthe next great barbecue dish that represents Houston-style barbecue,โ€ with this yearโ€™s competitors including Bar-A-BBQ, Brett’s BBQ Shop, Daddy Duncan’s BBQ (People’s Choice winner from 2022), Feges BBQ, Reveille BBQ, Tejas Chocolate + BBQ, The Pit Room (Judge’s Choice winner from 2022) and more. Tickets are $75 GA and $130 VIP.

The annual fundraiser Chefs for Paws returns to Baldwin, Curio Collection by Hilton, 400 Dallas,ย on Sunday, January 14. Held from 5 to 9 p.m., the evening features a cocktail reception and seated multi-course feast prepared by top local talentโ€”James Beard Award winner “Chef G” Benchawan Painter of Street to Kitchen, Ostiaโ€™s Travis McShane, Marie Riddle of Bludorn and moreโ€”to raise funds for Rescued Pets Movement and its life-saving mission. Tickets are $250, with VIP sponsorship available.ย 

Brooke Viggiano is a contributing writer who is always looking to share Houston's coolest and tastiest happenings with the Houston Press readers.