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

GO TEXAN Chef Showdown Results with Tummy Rumbling Photos

Last Wednesday night, 3 skilled chefs and hungry diners gathered at the Hyatt for the Go Texan Chef Showdown. I was lucky to be invited to this event as a judge as it was an event you didn't want to miss. Now get your eyes ready for a feast. All photos by John Knox.

Each chef was given a set of ingredients to prepare an appetizer and an entree.  The dishes were scored on flavor, Southwestern flair, and use of local ingredients. Here's the judges, huddled at our table.  I'm in the gray, second from the right. The menu for the evening follows. 

Chef Todd Duplechan of Trio

Appetizer – Shrimp Ceviche with cucumber and persimmons

Entrée – Poached Shrimp with smoked shrimp croquettes, corn puree, and market vegetable slaw

Chef Stephen  Bonin of Driskill Grill

Appetizer – Sous Vide Egg yolk with jalapeno shrimp noodle, cilantro sorbet, brown butter powder, and local greens with mustard and smoked paprika

Entrée – Pan Roasted Snapper with roasted tomato vinaigrette, sweet cilantro, sautéed okra, and grilled corn foam

Chef Kevin Dee of Southwest Bistro

Appetizer – Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with goat cheese mousse, pecan arugula pesto, and bacon lardonnes

Entrée – Elderberry Braised Lamb Shanks with Pure Luck hopelessly blue frits and persimmon chutney

The shrimp in Chef Todd's ceviche was especially fresh and sweet.  Perfectly paired with toasted pumpkin seeds. 

 

This winning entree of poached shrimp by Chef Todd reminded many judges for the Texas State Fair corn dogs.

 

Chef Todd plating it up. 

 

Deliciously buttery red snapper from Chef Stephen had a fresh and clean flavor.  It tasted like melting butter. Can't go wrong with butter. 

 

The Driskill plating up the Eggyolk Sous Vide along with that wonderful cilantro sorbet.

 

Butternut squash soup with a Pure Luck goat cheese mousse, arugula pesto, and bacon by Chef Kevin. The man has it right. Bacon and Cheese.

 

Roasting up the snapper in butter. 

 

Roasted lamb shanks with permission chutney and elderberry sauce by Chef Kevin.

 The cilantro sorbet by Chef Stephen was cool, refreshing, and one of the most surprising dishes that night.  I did love the cilantro sorbet.

For the People's Choice, Chef Kevin from Southwest Bistro won both the appetizer and the entree vote.  I also have to mention that the ice cream served that night at Southwest Bistro was amazingly creamy and delicious.  Do try the ice cream when you visit SWB.

For the Judge's Choice, Chef Todd from Trio won with his for the tasty shrimp dishes.

A big congrats to all the Chefs for their wonderful creations, and a big thanks to all who put this event together.  GOOOO TEXAN!