Fiesta’s VIP culinary kickoff party is moving to the Alamo for 2023. Photo: Taste of the Republic
Texas is home to one of the most diverse food cultures in America. Since 2017, Taste of the Republic has celebrated that culture as the VIP culinary kickoff party of Fiesta Fiesta, the official opening event of FiestaSan Antonio. Raising the standard even higher for Fiesta 2023, they are proud to announce that Taste of the Republic has a new home: The Alamo. (Taste of the Republic, 2022)
Join them at the Gardens of the Alamo from 6p.m. to 10p.m. Thursday, April 20, 2023. Guests will sample gourmet bites from 12 local chefs, with food representing each culinary region of Texas, accompanied by a wide selection of wine, beer, spirits and cocktail pairings as they mingle with Fiesta Royalty. A portion of each ticket will help support the Fiesta Commission and the Remember the Alamo Foundation.
“I am beyond thrilled that we’re bringing the premier celebration of Texas food to the ultimate symbol of Texas: The Alamo” said Chef Brian West, whose Texas Culinary Manifesto laid the foundation for Taste of the Republic and its Six Food Republics of Texas.
“San Antonio is recognized by UNESCO as a Creative City of Gastronomy, and it represents the confluence of cultures that makes Texas so unique,” Chef West said. “By being at the Alamo, we feel we’ve raised this event to the level it’s always deserved.”
Taste of the Republic is supported by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Patron Tequila, Dos XX Beer, Republic National Distributing Company, Sysco, Telemundo 60 and the Texas Culinary Alliance.
William Chris Wine Company’s virtual wine and cooking event will take place on Thursday, July 28, 2022. Photo: William Chris Wine Company, used with permission.
Are you looking for new ways to expand your love of cooking and explore the world of wine-pairing? William Chris Wine Company (WCWC) is having a virtual wine tasting with WCWC owner Chris Brundrett and his wife Katharine taking place Thursday, July 28th at 7pm CT via Facebook and YouTube Live. (William Chris Wine Company (WCWC), 2022)
Get the full wine tasting experience (without the Texas heat) in the comfort of your own home. The tasting will invite viewers to cook an original recipe (sent via email once package is purchased) by WCWC’s Culinary Director Chef Skip, alongside Chris and Katharine Brundrett. In addition, viewers will also explore a variety of wines to pair one perfectly with the gourmet dish they have created. Sip, listen, and enjoy as they give an update on the current harvest, brag about their garden, and answer your questions about anything and everything Texas wine related. This virtual wine tasting is perfect for anyone looking to learn more about wine pairings with food — and maybe pick up some fun cooking tips along the way.
Guests can now purchase the curated Sip with Skip pack on their website to participate in the virtual wine tasting including the following:
2021 Blanc du Bois – Austin County
2021 Rosato – Grower Project
2019 Grenache – Friesen Vineyard
2017 Merlot – Robert Clay Vineyards
BONUS ALERT: The first 100 packs sold will receive a complimentary bottle of 1836 Texas Olive Oil. Tickets are available at the link provided here for $145. Add one bottle of wine and receive free shipping courtesy of WCWC.
William Chris Wine Company was founded in October 2020 by William Chris Vineyards’ Chris Brundrett and Lost Draw Cellars’ Andrew Sides. Built from a shared vision and set of core values, WCWC is the parent company of the William Chris Vineyards (est. 2008), Lost Draw Cellars (est. 2012), Skeleton Key (est. 2015), and Grower Project (est. 2015) brands, and is the leading producer of 100 percent Texas-grown wines in the Lone Star State.
2021 Rosato – Grower Project. Photo: William Chris Wine Company, used with permission.
Taco Cabana launches ‘Margarita Headquarters’ with twelve permanent Margarita flavors to choose from all day every day. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.
Following three wildly successful launches of Taco Cabana’s popular MargaritaPalooza over the last two years, Taco Cabana recently announced its plans to establish its Texas locations as “Margarita Headquarters,” featuring 12 permanent margarita offerings on the TC menu. Available flavors will include beloved frozen classics like Lime, Strawberry, Mango, Strawberry Mango and Mangonada, in addition to returning favorites like Blue Curacao, Watermelon, Dragonfruit, Blood Orange, Green Apple and new exciting flavors including Coconut and Pineapple. Each will be available for $3 all day, every day. (Taco Cabana, 2022)
“Margaritapalooza was a game changer for Taco Cabana. There was so much fun and excitement for both guests and team members when we previously executed it across the TC system. We pride ourselves on listening to what our guests want, and they have consistently asked us for on-going, everyday margarita innovation and variety, not just during certain times of the year. We are now thrilled to establish ourselves as the ‘Margarita Headquarters’ with so many margarita flavors for our guests to choose from each and every day.” – Ulyses Camacho, Chief Operating Officer at Taco Cabana
In addition to the 12 margarita flavors, a rotating thirteenth flavor will also be seasonally available for $4. Previous seasonal margarita offerings have included flavors like Pickle, Pumpkin Spice, and Cherry, among others. New or returning seasonal margaritas will be announced on an ongoing basis. Margarita Headquarters launches in San Antonio on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 and across all other Texas TC markets on Wednesday, August 3, 2022.
In addition to launching “Margarita Headquarters,” Taco Cabana will offer a summertime happy hour from 4p.m. to 7p.m. Sunday through Thursday for dine-in and drive-thru guests starting July 20, 2022 at all San Antonio locations.
Happy hour items will include:
$2 Lime or Strawberry Margaritas
$2 domestic beer
Half-price bean & cheese nachos
$1.50 bean & cheese chalupa
$1 bean & cheese taco
Taco Cabana is also extending its drive-thru hours of operation at all restaurants across San Antonio. Below are the new hours of operation for all San Antonio location drive-thrus:
Open Sunday through Thursday from 6a.m. to 12a.m.
Open Friday and Saturday from 6a.m. to 2a.m.
Dining rooms will continue to close at 10p.m.
Lastly, Taco Cabana will welcome the return of its beloved salsa bar in all restaurants in San Antonio on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. The salsa bars will include Roja, Fuego, Salsa Ranch, Taco Cabana’s new salsa Verde, Pico de Gallo, and pickled jalapeños.
All new menu items can be ordered in-restaurant, via online ordering for front counter and curbside pick-up, in the drive-thru or by mobile order when using the MY TC!® App or Taco Cabana.
Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of YTC Enterprises, LLC, was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Tex-Mex-inspired food including enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, burritos, tacos, freshly-made flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of bottled beer and signature tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up and delivery. As of July 18, 2022, Taco Cabana operates 142 company-owned restaurants in Texas.
SA Examiner 