The gymnastics legend brings her winning spirit to the dining world with a new airport restaurant that’s redefining what it means to eat like a champion.
Simone Biles has always known how to stick the landing, but her latest move has nothing to do with a floor routine. The most decorated gymnast in history has officially made her entrance into the restaurant world, debuting Taste of Gold at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport on March 24. Located in Terminal A near Gate A8, the café is already turning heads — and appetites — among travelers passing through Biles’ hometown.
For a woman who has spent decades making the impossible look effortless, opening a restaurant feels like a natural evolution. But make no mistake: this isn’t just a celebrity vanity project slapped onto an airport wall. Taste of Gold is a full dining experience, thoughtfully designed to reflect the legacy Biles has spent a lifetime building.
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A Space That Reflects Biles’ Iconic Legacy
From the moment guests walk in, it’s clear this space was built with intention. Custom décor featuring gold-accented handcrafted art draws direct inspiration from the intricate details of Biles’ competition leotards — a nod to her unmatched career that’s both subtle and striking. Multiple screens throughout the restaurant keep sports front and center, giving fans and casual diners alike a reason to linger a little longer before their flight.
The concept was developed in partnership with Athlete Playmaker Group, a company with a track record of collaborating with professional athletes to create dining destinations rooted in a sense of place. Co-founder Derek Missimo has long argued that airports should feel like genuine reflections of the cities they serve — not generic, interchangeable spaces. With Taste of Gold, that vision is alive and well in Houston.
The Menu: Elevated Comfort With a Personal Touch
The food matches the moment. Taste of Gold offers a menu of casual yet elevated options, including sandwiches, salads, and shareable plates designed to satisfy whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or settling in before a long flight. The standout item? Simone’s Skewers — described as Biles’ personal favorite — available with a choice of chicken, steak, shrimp, or vegetables. Desserts round out the menu for those who need a sweet send-off before takeoff.
The restaurant operates daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., ensuring early risers and late-night travelers alike can get their fill.
Biles Celebrates the Milestone in True Fashion
When Taste of Gold opened its doors, Biles took to social media to share the excitement with her fans, posting photos from the launch event alongside her husband. Her reaction was as unfiltered as it was endearing — she couldn’t quite believe she had a restaurant of her own. It was the kind of genuine, joyful moment that has always made Biles so easy to root for, on and off the mat.
Her connection to this project runs deeper than a business deal. As someone who has spent years navigating airports as a world-traveling athlete, Biles understands the experience of being a passenger better than most. She envisioned Taste of Gold as a welcoming space where anyone — gymnastics devotee, football fanatic, or simply a hungry traveler — could feel at home.
Houston Is Here for It
City officials aren’t just supportive — they’re proud. Francisco Cuellar, chief commercial development officer for Houston Airports, called the opening a defining moment for the airport’s dining program. He credited the new restaurant with capturing Houston’s signature energy and ambition, raising the bar for what passengers can expect from the travel experience at George Bush Intercontinental.
For a city that has celebrated Biles through every record broken and every barrier shattered, having her name — and her gold-touched vision — gracing its main international gateway feels exactly right. Taste of Gold isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a love letter to Houston, wrapped in a champion’s legacy, and served fresh daily.
Source: Black Enterprise
