Simone Biles Opens First Airport Restaurant Celebrating Her Golden Olympic Career

Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles has traded in leotards for a chef’s hat as she opens up her first restaurant at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), a visual tribute to her decorated career.

The signature eatery, named Taste of Gold, opened its doors on March 24 in Terminal A near Gate A8 of the Houston airport.

“Taste of Gold now open in IAH airport … *Terminal A,” the 29-year-old captioned an Instagram carousel of photos on March 28 from her opening.

In bringing her vision to life, Biles joined forces with Athlete Playmaker Group, which specializes in creating unique airport restaurants and bars in collaboration with professional athletes nationwide.

“As a frequent traveler, 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,” Biles said in a statement.

“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.”

The custom menu was built around sharables and convenient food options, including sandwiches and salads as well as a selection of desserts.

“Airports are the front door to a city, but too often feel interchangeable,” said Athlete Playmaker co-founder Derek Missimo. “Taste of Gold supports our goal of creating places that feel familiar and local, without sacrificing quality, speed or consistency.”

For Biles, a Houston-area native, the overall concept is symbolic of her ambition and athletic culture. The decor features original 3D artwork by Texas designer Jody Dodson, including hand-crafted images of Biles painted on wood with gold embellishments.

The space is planned to become a hub for broadcasting and watching sporting events while traveling, as it provides multiple television screens around its bar for patrons to enjoy.

“The opening of Taste of Gold marks a defining moment for our concessions program,” said Francisco Cuellar, chief commercial development officer for Houston Airports.

“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 continued.

“Taste of Gold captures Houston’s spirit—excellence, energy and ambition—and it raises the bar for what passengers can expect when they travel through IAH.”

Biles is considered one of the most decorated gymnasts in history, earning 11 Olympic medals, including 7 gold, and 30 World Championship medals over the course of her career thus far.