Jeff and Allison Balfour, the husband-and-wife founders of the Southerleigh Hospitality Group,  were named Outstanding Restaurateur on Sunday at the 2025 Texas Restaurant Association Awards and Lone Star Bash in Houston.

The Balfours also were named San Antonio Restaurateur of the Year.

“Receiving this award is a huge honor,” Allison told the San Antonio Report from Houston. “But it wouldn’t have been possible without our partners, leaders and every member of our team. We are also incredibly grateful for the support of the San Antonio community.” 

Allison and Jeff Balfour of Southerleigh Hospitality. Credit: Courtesy/Bea Simmons

The Lone Star Bash honored the state’s top restaurateurs, chefs and industry leaders and featured dishes from 20 top chefs and cocktails from 10 mixologists. 

Blanca Aldaco, founder of Aldaco’s Mexican Cuisine, received the Skeeter Miller Excellence Advocacy Award.

The Balfours and Aldaco were the only San Antonio winners at the event, held at 713 Music Hall in conjunction with the 88th annual Texas Restaurant show. 

Chefs Diego Galicia and Rico Torres of Mixtl, San Antonio’s only Michelin-starred restaurant, were named Rising Star Award Finalists. 

Launched at Pearl in 2015, Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery gained a wide following with its Southern-inspired cuisine and craft brews. 

The Southerleigh Hospitality Group has since expanded to The RIM with Southerleigh Haute South, to Pearl with Brasserie Mon Chou Chou and has launched Sense of Occasion Catering.

In June, Southerleigh acquired Boiler House, a popular steakhouse at Pearl.

Outstanding Restaurateur recognition from TRA follows the Michelin Bib Gourmand, which Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewing earned in 2024.

“I’m so proud of Allison and our team, working so hard everyday not only to serve our guests but also to make our industry better and stronger,” said Jeff Balfour, Southerleigh’s executive chef. “This is such a great honor. And we are so grateful to be able to represent San Antonio on this stage.”

The Lone Star Bash raises money for the nonprofit Texas Restaurant Foundation. The Texas Restaurant Show drew more than 5,500 attendees and 500 exhibitor booths.