Category Archives: Commercial Event

UPDATE: Events Calendar

Lots of fun stuff coming up on the Events Calendar.

Wednesday April 21st: Slow Money Austin provides an afternoon-­‐long program laying out the players, the issues and the opportunities involved in a healthy food system. With this event, Slow Money Austin brings together consumers, food businesses, civic leaders and investors to learn about the regional food chain, and explore funding alternatives essential to the continued growth of the regional food economy.

Wednesday April 21st: Earth Day Festival at the Triangle – Join thousands of your neighbors, local green businesses and environmental groups and the cultural community in a manifestation of the sustainability revolution! Products, services, food, kids activities, music, art, the Planet Earth movie and more celebrating life in balance and restoration. Sponsored by Wheatsville Food Co-op.

Thursday April 22nd: Slow Money Austin Showcase Dinner will be held at the critically acclaimed Barr Mansion, known for its historic setting and commitment to local organic cuisine and culture. This special dinner program will combine a delectable exploration of the diverse, sustainably grown riches Central Texas has to offer with a continued conversation about funding growth in our regional food system.

Thursday April 22nd: The Chef Showdown at the Hyatt Regency Austin (AFJ to Judge!). It’s a “Top Chef” style competition. Using locallygrown ingredients, each chef will prepare an appetizer and a main course for guests to enjoy.

Saturday and Sunday: Art Walk Austin: The outdoor fair is set against streets, plazas, and green spaces on the edge of a flourishing and hip downtown shopping and arts district where the award-winning Austin City Hall rests on the banks of Lady Bird Lake. Great local food and drinks on hand.

Things I Have Learned About THCWFF

The majestic spectacle that is the Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival has just come to an end. It capped off the Sunday Fair like a soggy exclamation point stuck in the Driftwood mud. The Fair seemed to lean more towards the wine end of things, with the Friday night Stars across Texas being more of the local restaurant scene.

My highlights from all the festivities were the ceviche from La Condesa, mussels from Uchi, meeting Dr. Kracker, Annie’s chocolate caramel dessert and the guy from Pine Ridge winery who hit on my wife.
Knowing what I know now, next year, the Stars event (even with the $ premium) will be my main target. Although watching snappily dressed women fall face first into mud-soaked straw can amuse me for hours, I’ll stick closer to town.

Kocurek Family Charcuterie: Whole Hog Class

Here is the thing about eating animals; it makes me uncomfortable some times. I know, as animals ourselves, we are hard-wired to do it. That is why we have our eyes close together on the front of our head and pegged lateral incisors. But, back when we were getting programmed there wasn’t the Easter bunny, Donald Duck or petting zoos. I used to think that if I couldn’t kill an animal myself, maybe I shouldn’t be eating it. That led to a trip to buy a live chicken (which was quickly downgraded to a live fish). After attending the Kocurek’s Whole Hog class, I am one step closer to being at ease with my place in the animal kingdom.

Sustainable Food Center Chef Series: Spring Bounty

Let’s go again. This was a great event last year and it looks like it’s shaping up to even better this time. A multi-course tasting menu prepared by the best chefs around town, all to benefit Sustainable Food Center (the people who bring you the Farmers’ Market).

Participating chefs include: Rene Ortiz, executive chef at La Condesa; Tyson Cole, executive chef at Uchi; Shawn Cirkiel, executive chef at Parkside; Todd Duplechan, executive chef at Trio; Jesse Griffiths of Dai Due Supper Club; Laura Sawicki, pastry chef at La Condesa; and James Holmes, executive chef at Olivia.

Cupcakes and Vodka

If you need me, I’ll be judging a cupcake contest at BookPeople tonight in celebration of Jennifer Ross’ new book, The Icing On The Cupcake. I was chosen because of my deep understanding of the history of cupcakes (they were invented by Pirates). I would also like to point out that Tito (my personal bartender) will be there serving drinks, gratis.