SEPT. 24 & 25: PHAT EATERY TO HOST COLLABORATIVE CHEF DINNERS HONORING LATE CHEF ALEX AU-YEUNG

Pop-Up Dinners in Collaboration with Friends of Au-Yeung Will Celebrate Their Beloved Friend on His Birthday

KATY & THE WOODLANDS, Texas – In honor of the late James Beard-nominated chef Alex Au-Yeung, who passed away earlier this year after battling cancer, Phat Eatery Directors of Operations Kevin Lee and Marvin He have organized two pop-up dinner events, Phat Friends for Life: A Tribute Celebration Honoring Alex Au-Yeung, which will take place at the Katy location (23119 Colonial Parkway, Ste. B-2) on Tuesday, Sept. 24, and at the new Woodlands location (2290 Buckthorne Pl.), on Wednesday, Sept. 25, what would have been Au-Yeung’s 53rd birthday. Phat Eatery has invited fellow chefs to cook alongside them at the two pop-up dinners, which are open to the public with limited seating. Phat fans are invited to enjoy the special five-course menu while paying tribute to Chef Alex.

“Hosting this tribute dinner on Alex’s birthday was a deeply personal choice,” said Lee. “By marking his special day with an event that reflects his passions and the joy he brought to those around him, we honor his legacy in a way that feels both meaningful and fitting.”

The event will open with cocktails at 5:30 p.m. followed by a five-course menu, served family-style, that will showcase dishes prepared by Phat Eatery and friends inspired by Au-Yeung.

Cocktails Sponsored by D’usse Cognac

Beer Sponsored by No Label Brewery

Ryan Halstead, Pearl & Vine

Wenbing Huang, Twenty-Five

Blood Bros BBQ, Quy Hoang

Marvin He, Phat Eatery

Kady Miller, Alchemy Bake Lab

Sponsored by D’usse Cognac

Nelson Lee & Nicholas Guitierrez, Phat Eatery

Luis Lopez, Killen’s Steakhouse

Jassi Bindra, Amrina

Marvin He, Phat Eatery

Josh Deleon, Underground Creamery

Among the chefs who were quick to take up the cause is Quy Hoang of Blood Bros BBQ, who’s contributing a smoked beef rib version of Phat Eatery’s beef rendang—his favorite of Au-Yeung’s dishes—for the Katy dinner: “We wanted to participate in this event because not only was Alex a longtime friend, but he was also someone that was constantly involved with the industry and community. We’ve done several events with Alex, and it was an honor when we got the call to be involved with this event. It was a no-brainer for us.”

Opening the meal at The Woodlands is a refreshing yuzu-and-ginger-spiked tuna crudo by chef Jassi Bindra, which is a best seller at his restaurant, Amrina. “It is my honor to be part of this dinner,” says Bindra. “Chef Alex’s last collaboration was at Amrina. For us, it was one of the best we’ve done, and I came to know Chef Alex very closely that day. His passion for food and community gives us a boost as chefs. Doing this dinner in the restaurant that was his dream will be nothing less than joy, celebrating him and his legacy with guests of The Woodlands and the Houston area.”

Both evenings will include a lion dance performance by Lee’s Golden Dragon. Tickets are $80 per guest, and a portion of proceeds will benefit the Southern Smoke Foundation to help hospitality workers in need. Custom “Live the Phat Life” T-shirts will also be for sale for $25, with all proceeds donated to the Foundation. Seating is limited; call your preferred restaurant locations for reservations.

The team looks forward to honoring Alex and his memory with those who knew him well and appreciated the restaurants he created. “If Alex were still here, I imagine his toast would be filled with warmth and humor, as always,” says He. “He’d probably raise his glass and say something heartfelt about cherishing our moments together, the importance of laughter and friendship, and the joy that comes from sharing good food and great company.”

The dinners will also allow the Phat Eatery team to reflect on all they’ve accomplished since their leader and mentor’s passing, including opening his dream restaurant at The Woodlands, which was met with such intense enthusiasm that the restaurant ran out of food in its initial days. Despite these challenges, the team maintained the quality and consistency of service the restaurant is known for, including at the original Katy location.

“Managing two locations comes with its challenges, but what makes it all worthwhile is the opportunity to build something meaningful and lasting,” says Lee. “Seeing our team grow, witnessing the impact we have on our community and knowing that we’re creating spaces where people can come together and make memories—these are the things that drive us. The support and dedication of our staff and the loyalty of our patrons make every obstacle seem manageable. Their enthusiasm and commitment inspire Marvin and me to keep pushing forward.”

Phat Eatery’s locations in Katy Asian Town and Grogan’s Mill in The Woodlands are open daily for lunch and dinner, Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Self-parking is available in the parking lots. Reservations can be made on Resy; walk-ins are available. Online ordering is available for takeaway directly from the restaurant.

For more information, visit phateatery.com or follow @phateatery on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.