Prepare to indulge in Beer and Food Events

Even though we've been back from the Great American Beer Fest, playing catch up with work has been pretty horrific.  As you know, Oktoberfest events are rampant over the next few weeks as are  food events.  Here's some that you might want to know about.

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Software Advice's Party - Thursday, September 30th at 6:00 PM - 714 Congress Ave.

New cool kid on the block, Software Advice, is celebrating their 1st birthday in Austin with a party.  There's a few reasons to check them out.

1. If you're into software, technology, or friends with people in those areas, this is a great place to network with your peers over some beer.

2. They're having a keg of Live Oak Brewing. Enough said. :o)

3. Check out this cool time-lapse video of last year's party.  As you can tell, I like to walk around, quickly. 

 

2010 is shaping up to be a great year for Austin Texas. The city was named “Best City for the Next Decade” by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine, “Best City for Job Growth” by Monster.com and it ranks number one in the “Small Business Vitality Rankings” by Portfolio.com. We feel lucky to be among the businesses that now call Austin home.  It has been a little over a year since ERP Software Advice moved to Austin from San Francisco. It is one of the best strategic decisions our company has made. Austin’s business-friendly climate has helped us weather the economic storm and grow our company at the same time. Not to mention, it’s a fine place to live.
 

To celebrate our one-year anniversary, we are hosting our second “summer bash.” We'll serve hors d'oevres, free beer from Live Oak Brewing Company and live music from the PolySky band. The party is Thursday, September 30th at 6:00 PM. For more information, visit: www.budurl.com/saparty. We would love for you to join us, and bring your friends!

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Austin Beer Week (Oct. 24-30) this year looks like it is going to be pretty hectic.  It looks like the system allows people to self-submit events, so it isn't easy to distinguish if the events are hosted by an organization, individual, or other.  I'm not posting the events individually because there is a plethora of them.  But nonetheless, enjoy safely!

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The Draught House is turning 42 on Saturday, Oct. 23, 1-10 pm!  That means beer olympics fun.  Check out their busy schedule here.
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NXNW 9th Oktoberfest to benefit three local charities -  October 16, 2010, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and
October 17, 2010, 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.                   
Join NXNW for an Austin tradition! The annual Oktoberfest is back for its ninth year and is aimed to be fun for all ages. While the music of local bands Oma and the Oompahs and Sauerkrauts fill the air, Chef George will prepare traditional German cuisine to enjoy with special NXNW-crafted brews.  NXNW encourages attendees to donate $2 at the door. All Oktoberfest festivities will benefit three independent nonprofits: the Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas, Pet Pals of Central Texas and Central Texas Dachshund Rescue.

NXNW Oktoberfest will feature something for everyone: kids rides, face painting, artists’ booths, brewing demonstrations, and a balloon artist. On Sunday, there’s even an all-breed dog costume contest at 2:30 p.m. and a Weiner dog costume contest at 3 p.m. for the four-legged friends!             

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Central Market North Lamar and Central Market Westgate are hosting their own brew events from Sept. 22-Oct. 5th.  Again, the events are plentiful so please check out the links for a full list.  Also, for the food and beer nerd in you, check out the gastropub events.
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Go Texan Round-Up - Sept. 27- Oct. 1
Love to support local?  Love to eat? This week is the Go Texan Round up.  All across Texas, restaurants are participating by sourcing food from Texas suppliers, and some restaurants are event donating a portion of their proceeds to a local food bank.  Not only are you going to be supporting local farmers and growers, you'll also be supporting organizations that help feed the hungry.  If you're interested in giving the Texas Department of Agriculture your feedback, you can earn a chance to wine win some pretty fantastic prizes.  The bed and breakfast prize at Messina Hof looks pretty tempting!  If you're a Twitter fanatic, check out the Twitter contest.  Use the #GOTEXAN hashtag to tweet your eats. 
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Chefs Under Fire  Finals - October 25, 2010, 7:00 PM AT&T Executive Education & Conference Center – 1900 University Avenue – Austin, Texas 78705
Last night was the Austin/San Antonio Regional Chefs Under Fire Compeition.  With tables of tasty bites and drinks in had, attendees watched as five chef's battled for the change to compete at the finals.  The deserving winner was Chef Erica from Max's Wine Dive (below).  She'll move onto the next competition which will be held at the AT&T Executive Center on Oct. 25th.  Make sure you pick up a ticket before they sell out!

Photo by John Knox

Chemistry Kitchen with Chef Josh Watkins and Dr. Laude

I had the great pleasure in being invited to cover the first ever Chemistry Kitchen at the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center.  The stars of the show (besides the food) were Chef Josh Watkins, Sous Chef Saul, and Chemistry professor, Dr. Laude.  The evening was fun, exciting, explosive, educational, humorous, and delicious.  I've only ever heard Josh say a few words before, but lo and behold, the Chef has got a sense of humor.  Pair that with the witty Dr. Laude, and this food loving scientist is very happy.  Check out the videos and photographs, and wait in anticipation for the next Chemistry Kitchen.  The first cocktail was a blackberry and dry ice concoction.  Chefs Josh and Chef Saul are playing with "hot tub" salmon.  It is really a sous vide. He's offering up the 120 degree hot tub now that the salmon is done. Salmon sous vide, shaved fennel salad, olive oil powder, and pistou. Perfectly cooked to 120 degrees and incredibly tender.  Dr. Laude is truly an entertainer.  Chef Saul and Chef Josh make liquid nitrogen ice cream.  Dr. Laude is skeptical about the hand held blender's horsepower. Tahitian Vanilla Bean liquid nitrogen ice cream.     Video #1. Chef Josh Watkins and Dr. Laude team up to flambe flour, turning water Burnt Orange, and shoot dry ice guns.   Video #2. Dr. Laude caramelizes olive oil powder and shows us just how much energy is in a gummy bear.   Video #3. Dr. Laude uses liquid nitrogen to freeze bananas, flowers, and to shrink balloons. Video #4. Chef Josh Watkins and Dr. Laude make Tahitian Vanilla Bean Ice Cream with Liquid Nitrogen   Video #5. Dr. Laude creates a thunderstorm by dumping hot water into liquid nitrogen.