89R23856 CJM-D
By: Martinez Fischer 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.