The Texas Food & Wine Alliance (TFWA) has released a schedule of fundraising events featuring beloved TV personalities, Top Chef all-stars, and James Beard Award honorees. (Texas Food and Wine Alliance, 2024)

Ahead of his appearance at the Potluck feast at Willie Nelson’s ranch, iconic restaurateur, television host, and cookbook author Rick Bayless will be in Austin for a book signing and meet-and-greet at Nixta Taqueria. On Tuesday, March 12 from 4p.m. – 5:30p.m., foodies will have a chance to chat with the Michelin-starred master chef as he signs copies of his classic cookbook, “More Mexican Everyday: Simple, Seasonal, Celebratory.” The $50 ticket price, available online, includes a copy of the book, wine and beer, and light bites from Nixta’s kitchen.

Then, Live Fire!, Austin’s favorite cookout, returns to Camp Mabry on Thursday, April 11 from 6:30p.m. – 9p.m. with a dynamic lineup of award-winning chefs. General admission tickets for the sell-out event are now on sale for $125 HERE. All proceeds will benefit the Alliance’s culinary grant program.

This year, Live Fire! is celebrating global culinary traditions with a blazing party showcasing open-flame cooking, premium wine and beer, and cocktail craftsmanship. Top-notch chefs from across the state will showcase the versatility of Texas beef in innovative bites cooked on-site. 

Keeping with tradition, a lineup of nationally recognized chefs and statewide favorites will turn up the heat. Some of the nation’s most recognized chefs will be participating, including beloved Top Chef finalists, James Beard Award nominees, and emerging pitmasters.

Minding the grills will be:

• Chef Laila Bazahm — El Raval (Austin) 
• Chef Mattison Bills — Three Six General (San Marcos), Howdy Child (San Antonio)
• Chef Aaron Bludorn — Bludorn Restaurant, Navy Blue (Houston)
• Chefs Chuck Charnichart, Alexis Tovías Morales, and Haley Conlin — Barbs B Q (Lockhart)
• Chefs Krystal Craig and Ian Thurwachter — Poeta (Austin)
• Chef Jakub Czyszczon — Garrison (Austin)
• Chefs Mike Diaz and Laura Sawicki— Oseyo (Austin)
• Chef Todd Duplechan — Lenoir (Austin)
• Chefs Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu — Top Chef, Jūn (Houston)
• Chef Levi Goode — Credence, Sidebar, Goode Company Restaurant Group (Houston)
• Chef Robert Hale with special guest Chef Rick Neal — Beef Loving Texans
• Chef Rebecca Masson — Top Chef: Just Desserts, Fluff Bake Bar (Houston)
• Chef Jess Pryles — Hardcore Carnivore
• Chef Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman — José (Dallas)
• Chef Nic Yanes — Murray’s Tavern (Austin)

Chef Jason Dady of San Antonio’s Tre Trattoria will also fire up the ovens for the Live Fire Pizzeria activation. More culinary talent will be announced in the upcoming days.

In addition to the fiery grand tasting, the 2024 edition of Live Fire! will also feature an exclusive VIP experience. The Live Fire! Steakhouse will transport guests to a midcentury supper club, complete with cocktail carts and flaming desserts. Featured chefs include Andy Knudson of All Pro Smokeshow, John Bates of Interstellar BBQ, and special guests to be announced. VIP tickets are $175 and include early admission at 6p.m.

“We are thrilled to work with some of Austin’s most talented chefs and excited to bring in so much culinary talent from out of town. We’re fired up to show Austin everything they have to offer.” – TFWA Executive Director Erika White

Proceeds from the signature tasting event will help TFWA give back to the local culinary community through a vibrant grant program for chefs, farmers, artisan producers, and nonprofits by funding projects focused on culinary innovation. Since 2012, AFWA has awarded $528,500 in grants to fund local culinary projects. 

As the sole beneficiary of the Austin Food + Wine Festival, held every year in November, the Texas Food & Wine Alliance also features educational programming and culinary events showcasing Texas chef talent, artisan and local producers, world-class wine and spirit makers, and craft brewers.

The Texas Food & Wine Alliance is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering awareness and innovation in Texas culinary communities through grants, educational programming, and events. Guided by an all-volunteer board of directors and committees made up of culinary and community-minded professionals, the Alliance’s commitment is to promote Texas food, wine, spirits, and craft brews and to increase appreciation of Texas’ culinary impact.