Sel et Gras @AustinFoodWine Festival

Sel et Gras, French of for Salt and Grass, was the name of the amazing Austin Food and Wine Festival post party at Trace at the W Hotel.  Chef Lawrence Kocurek is the new head honcho in the Trace kitchen.  Previously of Kocurek Family Charcuterie, this man knows his animal products.  At the party and Food Republic's Interview sessions, the offerings were amazing.  The sliders, sausages, and pates were all well-executed. 

My favorite offering was the foie gras torchon.  The Sel et Gras party was very dimly lit, and I had to keep looking down to make sure that I wasn't eating straight up butter.  Words can't really describe the awesomeness, but I'll try.  The torchon had the flavor of foie gras (utterly delicious), and the smooth creamy texture of butter.  Every single morsel seemed to melt right into your mouth and coat it with rich unmani that makes you glad someone discovered foie gras.  You must try it.  If you have not tried Chef Lawrence's foie gras torchon, you have not truly lived.  Also, my pants barely fit now.  Thank you, Torchon. 

Chef Lawrence Kocurek.  Photo courtesy of Cultivate PR.
Chef Lawrence isn't the only big person who can make my cry tears of joy at the W Hotel.  Chef Janina O'Leary's a magician in the kitchen.  I've had many, many, many of her desserts (again, note my pants comment), and I won't bother making my own truffles because of her.  I had truffles, plain truffles, that were much like the torchon in behavior.  The truffles had stability and they held their shape.  Once they hit your mouth, they melted like a rich chocolate cream sauce.  I don't make my own truffles anymore.  I'll just stuff my face with Janina's truffles, and macarons, and cookies, and chocolate cake...... 

Chef Janina O'Leary, Magician in the Kitchen. Photo courtesy of Cultivate PR.

Here's some photos of the after party fun.  I'll reiterate that the party was very dimly lit.  Please enjoy my stylized photos. 

Some meats if you please. 

The party at Trace also featured a special guest: Pichet Ong, the Godfather of desserts.  Self-taught, Pichet Ong has won many awards and accolades. This man can also outrun and outeat me.  I have to try hard to keep up with him. 

Chef Pichet and Janina make absinthe cotton candy.

The tray of chocolate desserts ready for presentation. 

Pichet was probably tweeting about this dessert extravaganza.  I know I did.  Thank you to Chef Janina O'Leary for having me at this fantastic party.  And to think I was going to go home early that night!

Chef Ben and Chef Janina of Trace bring you Food Porn

Chef Ben Hightower, previously of Uchiko, has been at Trace for a while now.  I loved his food at Uchiko, and I'm really amazing by his food at Trace.  I've eaten at Trace many times, in the restaurant and at events.  It is on my list of go to places for any occasion. These photos were from a media tasting.  Chef Ben is flexing his Cajun wings at Trace.  I realized that it sounds like he's making Cajun chicken wings, but I'm talking about a metaphorical wing.  Enjoy! Heirloom tomato gazpacho with basil pesto.  The tomato varieties in this gazpacho was visually and texturally interesting.  Roasted red grouper with carrot emulsion, shaved carrot, and English pea.  This presentation is reminiscent of Chef Ben's Uchiko days.  Also, I just wanted to add that the whole snapper on the lunch menu is really awesome too.  This man knows his fish.  This was the dirty rice stuffed stuffed Texas Quail with celery salad and green pepper vinaigrette.  O. M.G. Dirty Rice HEAVEN!  Chef Janina is a magician with the pastries.  The dessert of the evening was dark chocolate cremeux with beet vanilla swirl ice cream and bitter fried truffle.  As you can see, I've had many of her desserts, and I am always amazed by the artistry.  Death by chocolate.......... I didn't die, but I would have died happen if I did.  If you're looking for a place to get your upscale dining with a Cajun flair or dessert that will make your dopamine receptors dance, go to Trace.  Say "Hi!" to Chefs Ben and Janina!