Pay it Forward with the Lone Star Paralysis Foundation August 8th

I'm excited to announce that Pay it Forward is back.  The Austin food community is pretty awesome.  Chefs and food industry members are constantly giving to the community and helping each other out.  There aren't always that many opportunities for us to give back.  Austin Food for Life is one of the new ways that people can give back to the food community. 

Not only is this an opportunity to pay it forward by celebrating fantastic Austin Chefs and the supportive food community, this particular event benefits the Lone Star Paralysis Foundation.  The first event of this style with the Lone Star Paralysis Foundation was in 2011, shortly after Daniel Curtis sustained a life-altering injury to his spine.  This year's event, Pay it Forward with Daniel Curtis, is on Thursday, August 8, 2013 from 6-10 pm in the Grand Ballroom at the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center.  Tickets are $75 for entry from 7 - 10 pm.  VIP tickets are $125 for entry from 6-10 pm.  Included with the tickets are tastes from local chefs, beer, wine, and Tipsy Texan cocktails, and entertainment from Rotel & the Hot Tomatoes.

The Lone Star Paralysis Foundation is one of the most amazing non-profits I've known.  Not only do they run excellent events (for real), their mission and the advantages they provide is priceless.  The community that the Lone Star Paralysis Foundation has built is one of the most robust and effective ones I have met.  When someone is needing to recover from spinal injury, the Lone Star Paralysis Foundation envelopes them in support in ways that isn't even imaginable. 

Knowing that others do good is a good feeling.  Being close to others that do good is even better.  Being able to support others who do good is a fantastic feeling.  Here's how you can help. 

• Tell someone who is in need of assistance in recovering from spinal injury to get to know the Lone Star Paralysis Foundation
• Donate to the Lone Star Paralysis Foundation online.
• Donate something to their auction.  I must say that their auctions are one of the best around.  Can we say Uchi dinner for 8 in your home?
• Attend Pay it Forward with Daniel Curtis
• Bring a friend to Pay it Forward

Daniel and Crew!  Photo by John M. P. Knox. 

Not only will you be surrounded by some of my favorite people, you'll also be surrounded by their food.  Participating will be:

• Josh Watkins and Plinio Sandalio of The Carillon
• Tatsu Aikawa of Ramen Tatsu-ya
• John Bates of The Noble Sandwich Co.
• David Bull of Congress & Second Bar & Kitchen
• Shawn Cirkiel of Parkside, Olive & June & The Backspace
• Steven Cak of Parkside
• Mat Clouser and Callie Speer of Swift's Attic
• Jason Dady of Bin 555 & Tre Trattora
• Ned Elliott of  Foreign & Domestic
• Aaron Franklin of Franklin BBQ
• Jack Gilmore of Jack Allen's Kitchen
• Bryce Gilmore of Barley Swine
• Harold Marmulstein of Salty Sow
• Rene Ortiz and Laura Sawicki of La Condesa & Sway
• Philip Speer of Uchi & Uchiko
• Shane Stark of Kenichi
• Casa Brazil Coffees
• The Tipsy Texan.

Last year's dessert offering by Uchiko.  Photo by John M. P. Knox. 

You know where I'll be.  I hope to see ya there!