It is hard to believe that we're just a few days
away from the Austin Food and Wine Festival. It is obvious that the food
scene in Austin has changed very much in the last decade. Just a few
decades ago, there were just a handful of places that you could call a dining
experience, and a variety of experiences if you will.
Don't
forget to buy tickets to
LIVE FIRE HERE: April 25th, 6:30-9 pm at Salt Lick Vineyards.
I'm not sure what came first, the demand or the
supply. It seems that in a matter of a few years, consumers in Austin
changed or they were more vocal. A larger collective voice of consumers
who were interested in where their food was sourced, how creative new cooking
techniques were being used in restaurants, and how the dining experience should
be grew. It was vocalized and realized of demand for more farmers markets,
beats in publications, blogs, and food related organizations.
The
photos on this post are a blast from the past. Now that the food landscape (no pun intended) in
Austin has dramatically changed into something much more diverse, creative,
authentic, and sophisticated, it is time to look back at where Austin
previously. The upcoming festival has morphed into something different
over the last few years.
There's the sexy
Sandra Spalding
of Twin Liquors
strutting her stuff at the 2011 Star Power.
From the
Austin Food and Wine
Alliance:
"After 26 years as the The
Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival, held in Austin each spring
and considered one of the premier epicurean celebrations in the Southern United
States, we’ve now become the Austin
Food & Wine Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering
awareness and innovation in the Central Texas food, wine and spirits community
through grants, educational programming and events.
The
Alliance is the
non-profit partner of the new Austin
FOOD & WINE Festival in Austin, Texas. As the beneficiaries of the new
festival, we’re excited to further support the amazing food and wine talent and
happenings in Central Texas and with our new non-profit status, will be able to
give back to the culinary community through a vibrant grant program to fund
projects focused on culinary innovation."
While there two separate organizations hosting
spring time food and wine events in Texas, it only goes to show that Austin's
food scene is still changing. Where Austin will be in 10 years is up in
the air, but for now, enjoy the upcoming events.
Chef Philly
looking intense with the plating.
Before we kick off the weekend, the Austin Food and Wine Alliance has a great
event called LIVE FIRE!
I attended this event in 2011, the first time it was held and the last
year it was officially known as The Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival.
This was the event that sealed my long-term marriage to Franklin BBQ. I'm
still loyal to the Franklin's.
Chefs in the kitchen at the 2011 Star Power Dinner.
There are still a few tickets (just a few) left for this year's LIVE FIRE! at
the Salt Lick Vineyards. I'd highly recommend going, and having a good
time. Remember to bring your stomach empty as the line up of chefs looks
amazing. Here's the menu:
Chefs this year include:
Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue (Austin)
Named the best barbecue in the U.S. by Bon Appétit Magazine,
Franklin will make his third appearance at Live Fire! and attendees will be
treated to his award-winning brisket.
Rene Ortiz of Sway (Austin)
Finalist for 2013 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest, Ortiz will serve
Jungle Curry made with Texas Beef, Red Chili & Coconut Cream.
Jesse Griffiths of Dai Due Supper Club & Butcher Shop (Austin)
Winner of Edible Communities 2012 Local Hero/Food Artisan Award and 2013 James
Beard book award nominee for single-subject with Afield: A Chef¹s Guide to
Preparing and Cooking Wild Game and Fish, Griffiths will prepare Flatiron
Tacos with Carrot Top Salsa.
Jason Dady of Jason Dady Restaurants (San Antonio)
Finalist for 2012 James Beard Award for Best Restaurateur: Southwest, Dady makes
his third appearance at Live Fire! and will prepare Tongue and Cheek
utilizing beef tongue, cheek and ribs.
Laura Sawicki of Sway (Austin)
Finalist for 2013 James Beard nominee for Outstanding Pastry Chef and 2013
CultureMap¹s Tastemaker Award winner for Best Pastry Chef, Sawicki will offer a
sweet take on fire-kissed dessert with Smoked Hazelnut and Chocolate S'Mores.
Ned Elliott of Foreign & Domestic (Austin)
Finalist of Food & Wine magazine¹s The People's Best New Chef:
2012 Southwest, Elliott will prepare a Roasted Culotte of Beef with Pickled
Strawberries and Ramp Consomme.
Josh Watkins of The Carillon (Austin)
2012 Star Chef Austin-San Antonio Rising Star Winner, Watkins will create
Beef Chuck Ribs from Richardson Farms.
Randy Rucker of Briar and Bramble (Houston)
2011 Houston Rising Star Chef, Rucker will make his debut appearance at
Live Fire! and will serve Corned & Smoked Beef Rib with Fermented Wild
Onions.
Kristine Kittrell of Mulberry (Austin)
Formerly of Jeffrey¹s Restaurant, Kittrell will prepare Coconut Beef with
Blistered Beans.
Sonya Cote & Tink Pinkard of Homegrown Revival (Austin)
Winner of Edible Austin¹s Local Hero Award and named among the Top 10
Badass Women Chefs by Daily Meal, Cote¹s Live Fire! dish will be Flank
Steak Roulade with Sweet Onion & Arugula.
Jesse Perez of Arcade Midtown Kitchen (San Antonio)
One of San Antonio¹s most acclaimed chefs, Perez will serve Matambre With
Rice & Chorizo.
Eric Lucas of Whole Foods Market (Austin)
Lucas will create three beef dishes - Argentinian style.
Scott Roberts of Salt Lick Bar-B-Que (Driftwood)
Cookbook author and famed owner of the Salt Lick, Roberts will share his
celebrated Brisket with Stuffed Mushrooms and Sliced Brisket on a Homemade
Tortilla, each paired with a local craft brew.
Tatsu Aikawa of Ramen Tatsu-Ya (Austin)
Celebrated ramen maker who brought Austin¹s first authentic ramen house, Aikawa
will present Oxtail Ramen with Beef Tongue Chashu.
Jeff Martinez of El Chile Café y Cantina (Austin)
From Austin¹s favorite El Chile, Martinez will prepare Lengua de Res.
Janina O'Leary of Trace (Austin)
After having worked in some of the country¹s most prestigious kitchens
including Michelin three-star restaurants Daniel and Per Se in New York City,
celebrated pastry chef O¹Leary will prepare Meyer Lemon Budino and
Chocolate Bourbon Smores.
Jodi Elliott of Foreign & Domestic (Austin)
Just named winner of 2013 Food & Wine magazine¹s The People¹s Best New
Pastry Chef, Elliott will prepare one of her in-house made desserts to
complement the Live Fire! beef fest.
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