James Beard award-winning Perini Ranch Steakhouse, in Buffalo Gap, TX, announced the celebration of its 40th Anniversary in 2023 with a lineup of celebratory moments that began in May. With several elements and pop-up events, Perini Ranch Steakhouse will celebrate 40 years of “real Texas food.”
Starting September 28th – October 28th 2023, Lisa and Tom Perini will champion the anniversary events with a photo collection reflecting on the history of Buffalo Gap and celebrating the evolution of Perini Ranch Steakhouse curated by Michael Grauer and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Grauer has been a curator for 40 years, has written three books, and has contributed to numerous publications about the art and culture of the American West. This outdoor exhibit will be open to the public from September 28 to October 29.
“Perini Ranch is as much about people and location as it is about good food,” says Grauer. “Today, people crave authenticity. Everyone who works at Perini Ranch, the restaurant and the ranch itself, all share authenticity. Tom and Lisa Perini, along with all the people who have built Perini Ranch, prioritize sharing their good fortune and hospitality with those who visit. The outdoor exhibition is the perfect way to be ‘amongst’ all those who make Perini Ranch what it was and is today.”
Earlier this year, The Perinis kicked off the anniversary celebration with the launch of their new podcast titled, Meet Me At The Wagon, which coincides with the launch of their fourth book, A Celebration of 40 Years, which celebrates the ranch and steakhouse’s rich history.
The podcast titled, Meet Me At The Wagon, highlights the tradition and romance of West Central Texas. Tom Perini and legendary guests – including music superstar Reba McEntire, actor Rex Linn, celebrity chef Dean Fearing, and more – take listeners through the timeline of how Perini Ranch Steakhouse became what it is today, the impact of the beef and cattle industry on rural communities, and more firsthand commentary. The podcast is the perfect culmination of storytelling that brings Perini Ranch and the American West to life.
Tom Perini shares, “It has been my honor to share my love of the American Cowboy, chuckwagon cooking, the beef industry and Texas history with friends from all over the world. It is a rare gift to be able to take your passion and convert this into a career. The last four decades have been an amazing experience and Lisa and I look forward to continuing this adventure for years to come.”
Along with the podcast debut, Lisa and Tom debut their fourth book titled, A Celebration of 40 Years, a curated art book containing photography from Tom Perini’s private collection. The book gives readers a chance to catch a rare glimpse behind the scenes of Perini Ranch events and its private moments. This follows two earlier best-selling cookbooks, Texas Cowboy Cooking and Perini Ranch Steakhouse: Stories and Recipes for Real Texas Food, which brings the legendary tastes and hospitality of this quintessential Texas restaurant to reader’s homes. The Perinis have also published a children’s book titled, Tails of Perini Ranch, which is a tour of Perini Ranch from the point of view of Lisa and Tom’s beloved late basset hound, Gus Perini.
