Today we’d like to introduce you to Traci Moore.
Hi Traci, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
In 2013 I randomly stopped in a quaint, off-the-beaten-path, tapas bar in Houston, Texas. I had no idea what a “tapas bar” was but was ready to find out! There was a good variety of menu items to choose from. The waiter approached, explained that everything is generally served family style and typically a party of four would order eight to ten different tapas to share with the table.
That experience piqued my interest in small plates! Small plates would allow me to create a variety of dishes focusing on flavor and creative plating ideas. Tapa means “lid” and is derived from the verb “tapear”, meaning to cover. The actual story behind the origin of tapas or small plates has so many different versions and I found them all to be extremely interesting.
With the idea of small plates lingering in the back of my mind for all of those years, in 2022 I decided to brand this portion of my culinary journey “Allen”. Allen is my grandson’s middle name. I absolutely love that we were blessed with such an amazing young man and the fact that he has shown us all a new level of love has been beautiful. That different kind of love will add even more flavor to my dishes!
Being able to watch him grow reminds me of my innocent years of life where I was in the kitchen with my family hearing all the gossip, smelling the aromas, and being able to taste a little of this and that before I was able to become hands-on around eight years old.
Sitting down to enjoy food made with love and intent, (a good cocktail too), is such a catalyst for creating good memories, bonding, and meeting new people. This is what “Allen” will embody aside from boasting stellar craft cocktails and invigorating fusions of Mexican, Asian, and Southern American cuisine. Allen’s modern approach to tapas delivers a curated menu of locally sourced ingredients when available and a casual, yet chic atmosphere that’s sure to leave your “soul-full”!
I’m so excited for this journey that I can smell it, taste it and feel it, so I know it is a success!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Hosting The Dinner Clique pop-up dinners has been filled with so much joy and so many lessons. Having a team in place that can function consistently as a unit is a must and will contribute to success. You have to choose your team as carefully as you would choose your wife or husband…lol.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in creating an experience over amazing food, great cocktails, and bringing people together. I am so proud that during those experiences several types of relationships have been formed by complete strangers and are solid to this day. I know that my genuineness, willingness to help and give where I can, my creativeness, and the love I add to every dish I touch sets me apart from others.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I like to read in general and just haven’t set aside time as of late. I read articles on different chefs, watch documentaries and study recipes and plating. Here is a list of the last books I read… (I’ve started on a few others but haven’t finished)
Assata: An Autobiography
by Assata Shakur
Stolen Legacy: Greek Philosophy is Stolen Egyptian Philosophy
by George G. M. James
Fossilized Customs
by Lew White
The Outsiders (for the millionth time for nostalgia purposes…lol)
by S. E. Hinton
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allentapasandcraftcocktails/ https://www.instagram.com/thedinnerclique/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/themooreeffect/
