Simone Biles, the celebrated Olympic gymnast, has opened her first restaurant, Taste of Gold, at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. The official launch took place on 24th March, and the café is located in Terminal A, near Gate A8. This new venture reflects Biles’ deep connection to her hometown and her commitment to providing an enjoyable dining experience for travellers.
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The upscale eatery showcases the essence of Biles’ illustrious gymnastics career, featuring decor inspired by her achievements. Among the highlights are televisions positioned throughout the bar, allowing diners to catch sports action while enjoying their meals. Additionally, the restaurant boasts unique 3D artwork by Texas designer Jody Dodson, which includes handcrafted wood items adorned with gold embellishments that nod to Biles’ iconic leotards.
In a statement regarding her new venture, Biles expressed her excitement about the opportunity to create a welcoming space for airport visitors. “As a frequent traveller, I am thrilled to partner with Athlete Playermaker Group to help create a place for people to relax and share meals during their travels through my hometown airport,” she remarked. Biles extended an invitation to all, regardless of their sporting affiliations, stating, “Whether you’re a fan of gymnastics, football or any sport, or just hungry for something yummy before or after your flight, I’d like to welcome you to Taste of Gold the way fans have welcomed me into their hearts over my career.”
Taste of Gold offers a diverse menu featuring an array of sandwiches, salads, and shareable dishes. Among the options is Biles’ personal favourite, known as Simone’s Skewers, which includes a selection of chicken, steak, shrimp, and vegetables. The café also caters to those seeking indulgence with a range of tempting desserts.
Biles took to Instagram to share her joy during the restaurant’s opening. In several posts, she was seen posing with the menu alongside her husband, Jonathan Owens. In one enthusiastic caption, she expressed disbelief at the achievement, exclaiming, “I can’t believe I have a freaking restaurant!!!!!!”
The concept of Taste of Gold was developed by the Athlete Playmaker Group, a company specialising in creating unique dining experiences in airports. The custom menu crafted for Biles reflects their mission to fuse the vibrancy of local culture with high standards of quality, speed, and consistency. Co-founder Derek Missimo noted that airports often lack distinct identities, stating, “Taste of Gold supports our goal of creating places that feel familiar and local, without sacrificing quality.”
Francisco Cuellar, the Chief Commercial Development Officer for Houston Airports, highlighted the significance of this new establishment for the airport’s offerings. He remarked, “The opening of Taste of Gold marks a defining moment for our concessions programme. To have a global icon like Simone Biles choose Bush Airport for her first restaurant speaks to the strength of this platform and the millions of passengers we serve each year.” Cuellar added that the restaurant encapsulates the spirit of Houston— its excellence, energy, and ambition— and sets a new standard for travellers passing through IAH.
Starting from the opening, Taste of Gold will welcome guests daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. local time. With its combination of quality dining and sporting spirit, the restaurant promises to be a refreshing addition to George Bush Intercontinental Airport, marking a new chapter in Simone Biles’ illustrious journey, both in sports and beyond.