Photo Essay Archives

Photo Essay

Taking the Reins in the Land of Enchantment

Us Texans are predisposed to dressing like cowboys. Some may call it an incurable condition, but really we’re just waiting for our moment to hop in the saddle. I had that chance recently when I got a much-appreciated invite to join some good friends (along with a few dozen new ones) for a trail ride outside of Las Vegas, New Mexico. Here’s a quick snapshot of our time on the trail. Giddyup.

I’m not entirely lost on a horse—this ain’t my first rodeo, so to speak. But, compared to some of these guys, I may as well be riding the horse backwards because this definitely isn't their first rodeo. The highlight of my trip was simply watching some good folks—from Houston businessmen to full-time ranch hands—do what they do best. Being a functional rider isn’t easy, but these cowboys certainly made it look that way.

Us city folks don’t get as much peace and quiet as we need, so a few nights under the stars was exactly what the doctor ordered.

On day three, a few of the riders took to the arena for some good, clean fun—calf roping competitions paired with cheap beer. The best.

Of course, you’re not a real cowboy unless you get a chance to show off now and then.

As long as it’s paired with some world-class cowboy cookin’ and equally world-class live music, I’ll be ready to get back in the saddle at the drop of a hat.

Music was a key part of this trail ride. It was an honor to watch folks like Dean Dillon, Bart Crow, Jason Allen, and several others take the stage.

Music was a key part of this trail ride. It was an honor to watch folks like Dean Dillon, Bart Crow, Jason Allen, and several others take the stage.

Photo Essay

Kicking Off Hunting Season in Hempstead, Texas

On paper, dove hunting has no right to be as fun as it is. We pick the hottest time of the year to sit on a tailgate that feels more like a stove burner set to low, and try to shoot these tiny birds flying at what appears to be 200 miles per hour. So, what is it that brings us out to the sunflower fields in September?

To me, dove hunting represents the opening day of opening days. It marks the moment when hunters across the country—particularly in Texas—can flip that switch in their brain and celebrate the start of something special. In this case, I was celebrating with fellow members of the Young Presidents Organization, a great group of people to hang out with, even if they whiff on more than a few birds.

If you're cursed with the same affliction, be sure to read my series on fitting/mounting and shooting a shotgun.

There’s an odd contrast during dove hunts. You’re battling oppressive heat, fire ants, and dehydration—but still have a hunting-season-induced smile plastered across your face.

For such a casual activity, dove hunting is pretty damn hard, which is why I highly recommend getting some practice before September.

Spoiler alert: doves aren’t very big, so a cooler packed with meat ready for the fire always comes in handy.

Spoiler alert: doves aren’t very big, so a cooler packed with meat ready for the fire always comes in handy.

Photo Essay

A Little Bit of Luck Reunion 2024

Earlier this spring, our Goode Company team headed north to Willie Nelson’s digs for the iconic Luck Reunion—a showcase of some of the music industry’s best talent and a chance for artists to reconnect and jam together in front of a few thousand lucky fans.

This year, we had the privilege of providing food for the artists during the show, which means my team and I were afforded a unique vantage point of the festival (essentially, unrestricted access to the whole shebang). I hate to say “you had to be there,” so instead, enjoy a few festival frames from 2024 and listen to a quick playlist I put together featuring some of my favorite Luck artists.

Feeding hungry musicians is no small task—but it’s also a chance for us to show Texas hospitality at its best.

Luck Reunion’s generally a stacked lineup, and this year was no different. There’s nothing like cooking up a meal with The Red Clay Strays, Old Crow Medicine Show, and dozens more as your house music.

If anyone knows me, they know that I love good music as much as good food, which means we made time to enjoy both.

It’s no secret that Willie’s getting up there, which makes every chance to see him even more special. He can still pick Trigger like a pro, and keep up with Kermit the Frog in a duet.

Photography by Steve Schwartz and Brian Kennedy.

Photo Essay

Rocky Mountain Highs in Aspen, Colorado

These days, it’s easy to think you have to have a “reason” for planning a trip. We seem to have a productivity mindset in this country, but I’m here to tell you that being unproductive is one of the most productive things you can do. Don’t believe me? Just try this—call up a bunch of your closest friends, book a spot in a beautiful place, bring some food along, and see what happens.

That’s exactly what I did when I planned my trip to Aspen during the fall. I came away ready to tackle anything, and we did absolutely nothing. Okay, that’s not exactly true. We ate, drank, fished, talked, and soaked up that Rocky-Mountain scenery. Here are a few frames from our time at altitude.

This crew could have a proper shindig anywhere—the mountains are just the icing on the cake.

My requirement for any lodging? A place to cook over an open fire. This behemoth of an oven spit out pizza, galette, and so much more to warm up that cold mountain air.

I’m here to tell you that being unproductive is one of the most productive things you can do.

I always do my best to pull food from the landscape at hand, but we can always make an exception for raw oysters from the Gulf.

Photo Essay

Salt to Taste in Galveston, Texas

In another article, I wrote about my trip to Galveston as a chance to reflect on the importance of a family name and keeping its memories alive. For my family, the coast continues to be more than a retreat. It's a source of life.

Ultimately, the Texas Gulf Coast serves as a foundation for many of my family’s stories over the years, including this trip with all the Goode men we could muster. If my words on that other page are focused on family, then these photographs here focus on place. In this case, Galveston, a small part of a big coastline that's anchored our family story for decades.

Galveston was the backdrop for our family reunion with all of the Goode men I could round up.

On some trips, I have to do my homework on the culinary side. When we head to the Gulf, though, I’m in my element—no homework necessary.

While speckled trout have seen better days across the country, their populations are holding steady across Texas. What they lack in fighting power, they more than make up for with their delicate flavors.

Anyone who knows me knows that some solid mariachi music tends to be hot on my trail.

It’s no secret that I love food. The real reason I love to cook is because there’s no better way to bring people together. Forget fishing. Forget the house. If I have some oysters and an open fire, we’re going to have a good time.

Pictured here: three generations of the Goode family, each with their own unique stories to tell, which was the catalyst for this trip.

It’s no secret that I love food. The real reason I love to cook is because there’s no better way to bring people together. Forget fishing. Forget the house. If I have some oysters and an open fire, we’re going to have a good time.

Photo Essay

Cowboy Culture at its Finest

In my line of work, it’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day—and that’s why off-the-grid events are so important. Every year, I meet up with some of Texas’s finest to reset on a 50,000-acre Hill-Country hideaway along the Guadalupe River. We enjoy live-fire cooking, sleeping under the stars, chuckwagons, trail riding, and just about anything you’d see in a John Wayne movie. Horse flies and snoring included.

It's not all about putting my feet up, though. I also cooked for my camp, which was quite the honor for someone whose entire life (mine) is built around cooking in the old-world style. It was a packed itinerary, and there’s simply too much to list (not to mention the tequila-induced memory loss). Instead, here are a few select images that hopefully capture a glimpse of a good time gone by.

A rare glimpse inside my camp for the trip—and ground zero for some very serious games of dominoes.

At an event like this, you leave your accolades and job titles at home. We’re Texans. That’s it.

Sure, it’s all fun and games, but cooking for this crew is no joke—they expect the beans to be perfect.

Photo Essay

A Distilled Look at Tequila Country

One of the best parts of my job is the travel. This is especially true any time we head south of the border to Mexico. Even if I didn't have Mexican heritage in my blood (my grandmother was from Mexico), I'd still feel drawn to its sweeping landscapes, authentic culture, incredibly friendly people, and of course, its tequila.

We burn through a lot of tequila at our restaurants. We pride ourselves on sourcing the finest liquors—and some of the purest tequila on the planet comes from the state of Jalisco, Mexico. That’s where our trip took us this year. We visited distilleries to sample tequilas straight from the barrel before heading back to Guadalajara to explore the shops of Tlaquepaque and meet some with old friends. Here’s a quick glimpse at the good times that Old Mexico has to offer.