Legoland Discovery Center and Sea Life San Antonio celebrate the spooky season

Legoland Discovery Center and Sea Life San Antonio have special events for the month of October. Photo: google

Throughout October, Legoland Discovery Center San Antonio and Sea Life San Antonio will offer fun events and opportunities for kids of all ages, as well as adults, to celebrate the season at the two family attractions inside the Shops at Rivercenter. (Merlin Entertainments, 2021)

• Legoland Discovery Center Brick or Treat. Mini-master builders will have SPOOK-TACULAR fun beginning October 8 through the end of the month at the ultimate indoor LEGO® playground. Families can learn to build spooky LEGO® creations with expert Builders at a Halloween-themed creative workshop, snap pics with a 6-foot DUPLO® pumpkin, and take a guess at how many pumpkins, ghosts, and skeletons are in MINILAND® San Antonio to win BRICKTASTIC prizes. All kids entering Legoland Discovery Center will receive a skeleton LEGO mini figure while supplies last.

• Legoland Discovery Center Adult Night: On Friday, October 22 from 6p.m. – 8:30p.m., adults will have the chance to unleash their inner kid for a night. Kids-at-heart will enjoy full access to the attraction rides, LEGO building contests, food and drinks by LandShark Bar & Grill, a family-friendly costume contest, and Miniland Scavenger Hunt with LEGO prizes and more.

• Sea Life Underwater Pumpkin Patch Scavenger Hunt: In celebration of Fish-or-Treat, from October 8 through the end of the month, guests of Sea Life San Antonio will enjoy the under-the-sea scavenger hunt experience while rays, sharks and sea creatures swim overhead in over 160,000 gallons of water.

Sea Life Aquarium and Legoland Discovery Center San Antonio
849 E. Commerce St.
San Antonio, TX

Single day tickets and annual passes for Sea Life San Antonio are available online as are single day tickets and annual passes for Legoland Discovery Center. Combination annual passes to both attractions are also available on both websites.

Merlin Entertainments is a global leader in location-based, family entertainment. As Europe’s number one and the world’s second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin operates 137 attractions, 22 hotels and 6 holiday villages in 24 countries across 4 continents. Merlin’s purpose is to deliver memorable experiences to its millions of guests around the world, through its iconic brands and multiple attraction formats, and the commitment and passion of its employees.

Shops at Rivercenter

Brasserie Mon Chou Chou fall menu

Brasserie Mon Chou Chou features French comfort food that showcases simple, earthy, flavorful dishes from regions throughout France. Photo: Brasserie Mon Chou Chou, used with permission.

Welcome to Fall. Celebrate the new season at Brasserie Mon Chou Chou. Brasserie Mon Chou Chou is a part of the Southerleigh Hospitality Group, which practices a culture of service first and is in one of the most recognizable modern-day developments in the U.S. at the Historic Pearl. The menu features French comfort foods that highlight flavorful dishes from regions throughout France. (Brasserie Mon Chou Chou, 2021)

This fall, we are thrilled to highlight our new seasonal all-day menu and brunch menu, highlighting French cuisine with epicurean dishes inspired and created by Mon Chou Chou’s executive team including Executive Chef Laurent Réa.

CHOU CHOU FALL MENU

-All Day MENU –
Addition :

First Course:

Os a moelle, Sauce Vierge – 14
Wagyu Bone Marrow, Sauce Vierge, Toasted Batard

Terrine du Jour per slice – Mkt Price
Paté of the day, Baguette and Classic Accompaniment

Homard à la Parisienne, Caviar domestic – 38
Chilled Parisian Style Lobster, Domestic Caviar

Steak Tartare au Couteau – 18
Chopped Filet Tartare with Caper, Quail egg, Shallot and White Anchovy

Salads & Sandwich

Salade Lyonnaise – 15
Mâche Salad with Poached Egg, Lardon, Crouton and Comté cheese

Sandwich Chaud Poulet à la créme d’Estragon – 18
Warm Rotisserie Chicken, Tarragon Cream, Petite Salad, Herbed Bun

Avec Les Frites:
Moules Sauce Poulette – 24
Normandy Style Mussels in White Wine and Cream, Mushrooms

Cordon Bleu de Veau à la Chou Chou – 29
Veal Cordon Bleu Sandwich in a Magnol Bakery Bun, Aioli, Cornichons

Pomme de Terre en Robe des Champs, Sauce Fromage Raclette – 14
Baked Potato with Gratinée Raclette Cheese Sauce and lardon

Entrée:
Poêlée de St Jaques, Purée de Celery – 45
Pan Seared Sea Scallops, Celery root Purée, braised seasonal mushroom,
beurre blanc and Trout roe

Tagliatelles aux Champignons – 25
Tagliatelle Pasta, Seasonal Mushrooms, Truffle and Porcini Cream

Traditionnel Boeuf Bourguignon – 29
Braised Beef Cheek in a Burgundy Wine Sauce, Marble Potatoes,
Pearl Onions, Bacon

Sides:
Polenta Crémeuse au fromage – 7
Soft Cheese Polenta

Choux Rouge Braisé au lard et 5 épices – 7
Alsatian Style Braised Red Cabbages, 5 spice

Dessert:
Tarte Tatin, Crème Fraîche – 9
Caramel Apple Tart, Crème Fraîche

Iles Flottantes, Crème Anglaise – 8
“Floating Island,” Vanilla Meringue, Toasted Almond

– Brunch MENU –

Brunch Entrées

Polenta Crémeuse au fromage, Oeuf Poché, Ragoût de Champignon – 17
Soft Cheese Polenta, Poached Egg and Mushroom Ragout

Merguez et Oeufs – TBD
Sausage and Eggs, Merguez Style Sausage, Sunny Side
Up Eggs, French Country Potatoes

Pomme de Terre en Robe des Champs, Sauce Fromage Raclette – 14
Baked Potato with Gratinée Raclette Cheese Sauce and lardon

Salades & Sandwiches:

Cordon Bleu de Veau à la Chou Chou – 29
Veal Cordon Bleu Sandwich in a Magnol Bakery Bun, Aioli, Cornichons

Dessert:

Tarte Tatin, Crème Fraîche – 9
Caramel Apple Tart, Crème Fraîche

Iles Flottantes, Crème Anglaise – 8
“Floating Island,” Vanilla Meringue, Toasted Almond

Brasserie Mon Chou Chou

Twin Liquors offering discount on sourced wine this month

Customers can enjoy a 20% off discount on sourced wine this month at Twin Liquors. Photo: Twin Liquors, used with permission.

Twin Sourced Wine is curated by Twin for Twin. These wines, which hail from all over the globe, are delicious in every way. They come to us from family wineries, industry innovators and pillars of the wine community. Stop by Twin Liquors for a 20% off sourced wine sale. Now through October 23, customers can purchase two or more Twin Liquors sourced wines for a discount to be applied at checkout. Explore the website to learn about a variety of wineries like, A Tout de Suite, Natale Verga, Herald Wines, Fisch Napa Valley Sauvignon, Granite Hill Cellars, Baus Family Vineyards, and hundreds more. The sale is valid in-store and online for customers who are 21+. Some exclusions apply, and there is no further discount on Sale Items, Final Few, or Closeouts. (Twin Liquors, 2021)

Offer good from October 1 – October 23, 2021. Twin Liquors is open Monday – Saturday from 10a.m. to 9p.m. Online hours are 11a.m. to 8p.m.

To find a Twin Liquors store near you visit Twin Liquors online. You may also through their website or Twin Liquors app, which is available on IOS and Android stores. Twin Liquors also offers online ordering and in-store pickup and/or delivery to all stores.

Born and raised in downtown Austin, Texas, Twin Liquors began as one small store and has developed into a successful, “home-grown,” Texas family-owned company. Twin Liquors has a unique and well reputation throughout the United States for having impeccable team members, outstanding customer service, conveniently located stores, extensive selections of fine wines and premium spirits from around the world, and substantial community involvement. Twin Liquors currently operates 100+ neighborhood stores from Austin to San Antonio, the Hill Country to Houston, and the DFW area with their Sigel’s branded stores.

Three Star Bar now open to the public

Three Star Bar, a new bar by Jeret Peña, Chef Josh Calderon and Rob Gourlay. Photo: txtroublemaker, used with permission.

Boulevardier Group Owner Jeret Peña, Chef Josh Calderon and notable San Antonio bartender Rob Gourlay are excited to announce a new bar, Three Star Bar, set to have its public opening this Friday, October 8, 2021. The new 7,000 square foot space will feature comfort food in addition to boasting a full bar with a focus on high quality handcrafted cocktails. Three Star Bar will seat approximately 140 people and will be located at 521 E Grayson St. in San Antonio, across from Hello Paradise and in the Government Hill district. (Three Star Bar, 2021)

Three Star Bar will have a welcoming atmosphere with nods to vintage food and drink memorabilia. The food menu will offer appetizers like whiskey and maple glazed meatballs, deviled eggs, burrata, and borracho bean hummus, while the main entrees include a variety of fresh sandwiches filled with cured meats, meatballs, fried mortadella and more, as well as a selection of homemade burgers. The bar menu will offer a variety of spirits and include handcrafted cocktails such as the 3-Star Gin & Tonic, Pimm’s Cup, Cuba Libre, Chilton and more as well as a selection of local brews, wines and more.

“We’re really excited to open Three Star Bar. It’s a really casual concept that doesn’t sacrifice quality. The food and beverage menus are relaxed, but still use high-end ingredients.” – Co-Owner Jeret Peña.

Three Star Bar is the latest bar concept by Jeret Peña, who owns the Boulevardier Group, Hello Paradise and is involved in the cocktail programs at Esquire Tavern and Hugman’s Oasis. Peña is the co-owner and beverage director at Three Star Bar, while co-owner Rob Gourlay serves as general manager and Josh Calderon takes the helm of the kitchen as the chef/culinary director and co-owner.

Chef Calderon previously ran the kitchen at Cookhouse as Executive Chef and managed Bud’s Southern Rotisserie in San Antonio after moving back to the city from California, where he served as the Executive Chef for the Belcampo Group. Calderon received his certification at The Culinary Institute of America San Antonio campus and later earned his associate’s and bachelor’s degrees from The Culinary Institute of America Hyde Park campus in New York.

Hours of operation for Three Star Bar will be Monday through Friday from 3p.m. to 2a.m., Saturday and Sunday from 12p.m. (noon) to 2a.m.

Three Star Bar is a craft cocktail and comfort food bar in San Antonio, TX, by cocktail enthusiast and Boulevardier Group Owner Jeret Peña, Chef Josh Calderon and General Manager Rob Gourlay. The bar is located just north of downtown San Antonio and offers casual dining with comfort food in addition to boasting a full bar with handcrafted cocktails and selection of beer and wines.

Three Star Bar’s pretzel sticks and fried mortadella. Photo: Three Star Bar, used with permission.

Three Star Bar

Pearl announces collaboration with San Antonio Street Art Initiative

San Antonio Street Art Initiative Board President Shek Vega. Photo: Karissa Rangel, used with permission.

Pearl is excited to announce a new creative partnership with San Antonio Street Art Initiative (SASAI) to help elevate the pedestrian experience on the east side of the property. Pearl has a long track record of celebrating and supporting local artists and this collaboration is the latest installment of that commitment. Five artists will be tasked with transforming the underpass between Broadway and Avenue A at Pearl into a dynamic mural that references the brand’s rich history in San Antonio through the lens of some of the region’s most talented street artists. (Pearl, 2021)

“The team at Pearl is honored to partner with San Antonio Street Art Initiative for this project. They are the ideal partners to help create a transformational space between Broadway and the heart of Pearl.” – Pearl’s Chief Operating Officer Mesha Millsap.

As part of Pearl’s dedication to support a community of makers on the property, the transformed underpass and pedestrian area will feature the works from local artists including:

• Shek Vega – Project Manager and SASAI Board President
• SCOTCH
• Eva Sanchez
• Matt Tumlinson
• Nik Soupè

“San Antonio Street Art Initiative has grouped together some of its strongest homegrown artists to aid in the completion of this Pearl project. This is a great opportunity to be a part of something that means so much to San Antonio.” – SASAI Board President Shek Vega.

The works will feature inspiration drawn from the San Antonio community that frequent Pearl as well as ideas taken from Pearl’s archives. The art initiative is officially underway at Pearl and the project is set to be complete by early November.

Pearl is a dynamic neighborhood built around the historic Pearl Brewery, which operated from 1883 to 1999. Located just north of downtown San Antonio on the banks of the San Antonio River, it is home to architecturally significant buildings like the brewhouse and stable—both built in 1894—and numerous plazas. Today, Pearl is home to dozens of unique culinary concepts, one-of-a-kind retail, weekend markets, residential communities, innovative office tenants, the San Antonio campus of the Culinary Institute of America, and the award-winning Hotel Emma. Pearl is a vibrant district where community gathers to play, work, and live; it is a place where things are made and celebrated with purpose and sincerity. We invite all to gather and experience the best of what San Antonio has to offer. Learn more atpearl.com.

San Antonio Street Art Initiative (SASAI) is an artist-run, independent, non-profit focused on two areas of advocacy: education/career development and mural art programming. Since November of 2018, SASAI has been leading the way for street and mural art in San Antonio, while working to create “The Largest Outdoor Gallery in Texas™.” SASAI’s acclaimed projects have beautified neighborhoods, contributed to economic development, advocated for fair-pay jobs to local talent, while being a driving force in the public art scene.

iFLY Indoor Skydiving relaunches STEM field trips

iFLY Indoor Skydiving is pleased to announce the relaunch of their STEM Field Trips, an immersive program for educators to bring students to experience the science of flying first hand, at all participating U.S. iFLY Indoor Skydiving locations. In celebration of the relaunch, iFLY will be offering a STEM Blitz Campaign featuring two special offers available to book and fly now through December 15, 2021. (iFLY Indoor Skydiving, 2021)

Special offers include the following:

Teachers fly free for STEM field trips booked and flown by December 15, 2021
- 1 free teacher for every 15 students

Special Reduced Pricing for Title 1 Schools

To date, iFLY has hosted over 270,000 students for their STEM field trips in effort to increase awareness of exciting STEM careers and how STEM can be used in the real world. Led by a highly trained STEM educator, the field trip includes an interactive presentation on real-world STEM applications, a grade-appropriate lab activity, immersive experiments, physics demonstrations that come to life in a state-of-the-art wind tunnel, and one-on-one flights with a certified world-class iFLY instructor.

In fact, iFLY STEM curriculum aligns with state-specific education standards while making STEM an exciting, one-of-a-kind learning experience. In addition, iFLY also offers STEM lesson coordination between teams and iFLY educators, along with pre and post trip curriculum to further emphasis student understanding and retention.

iFLY is a sports and recreation company with the mission to deliver the dream of flight. The company pioneered the body-flying “indoor skydiving” experience and is the world leader in vertical wind tunnel technology. Guests do not need to be an athlete or in the best shape of their life. iFLY’s world-class instructors are pros at making flying fun for everyone.

Each iFLY tunnel is taking the proper precautions to ensure guests enjoy their flying experience by investing in new safety measures to create new ways of keeping people safe in their buildings. In fact, iFLY’s wind tunnels have a fresh air advantage over other experiences. Advanced wind tunnel technology provides guests with clean air while flying by recirculating and refreshing the air from outside the iFLY facilities. Tested and proven, iFLY’s wind tunnels create an environment at least 10x fresher than the average store or gym when flying guests—even at slow wind speeds.

To learn more about iFLY STEM Field Trips and to request a trip, click here or visit iFLY Indoor Skydiving.

Austin-based iFLY Holdings, LLC., is the world leader in the design, manufacturing, sales, and operations of wind tunnel systems for indoor skydiving. The company has flown more than 9,000,000 people in a dozen countries and at sea since launching the modern vertical wind tunnel industry in 1998. iFLY has over 81 facilities operating worldwide with 36 wholly-owned in North America. iFLY supports and utilizes the safety and training guidelines set out by the International Bodyflight Association (IBA) to ensure the safety and progression of the sport of indoor skydiving. iFLY makes the dream of flight a reality by giving their customers “wings” in a safe and reliable environment.

La Panadería launching limited-time pink conchas for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The Pink Conchas will be available for the month of October and $1 from each Pink Concha sold will benefit the Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation. Photo: La Panadería, used with permission.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, La Panadería is introducing a limited-time Pink Concha for the month of October. The Pink Concha will be available at all three locations from October 1 – 31, 2021 for $3.50, and $1.00 from each Pink Concha sold will go directly to the Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation. Owners José and David Càceres created the initiative to honor their late mother. (La Panadería, 2021)

“This is a cause very near and dear to our hearts. Our mother is the one who instilled a love of baking within us, so what better way to honor her legacy than by donating proceeds from our Pink Concha to the Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation?” – Jose Cáceres, co-founder of La Panadería.

The Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit (501c3) advocacy organization made up almost entirely of breast cancer survivors. Their mission is to end breast cancer by assisting patients, informing health professionals and policymakers, and expanding knowledge through education and community outreach. Donations help ABCF provide free screening mammograms, education and support services to women & men in need.

To purchase Pink Conchas, visit any of La Panadería’s three locations or order online.

Hoping to share their Mexican heritage with citizens in the U.S., José and David Cáceres opened La Panadería in San Antonio, Texas in 2014. The bakery, which specializes in handmade bread, pan dulce and pastries inspired by Mexico’s Golden Era, or Epoca de Oro, draws influence from French, Italian and American bread making techniques. La Panadería’s unique approach to breadmaking includes a minimum 48-hour fermentation process that results in artisan bread and pastries unlike any other. La Panadería has three locations in San Antonio, Texas.

Oktoberfest celebrations at Krause’s Café & Biergarten

Oktoberfest celebrations include live music, beer and pretzel specials, a Halloween costume, and more. Photo: Krause’s Café & Biergarten, used with permission.

Krause’s Cafe & Biergarten is excited to announce various performances and events happening this fall. This coming season, Krause’s will host a Halloween costume contest, provide beer and pretzel specials, and various Oktoberfest celebrations every Wednesday that include a yodeling contest, Bavarian hat dances, keg tappings, and more. Krause’s is also having multiple live bands perform each week in a variety of genres. Check online for a full list of upcoming events. (Krause’s Café & Biergarten, 2021)

Oktoberfest Celebrations: Every Wednesday – October 6, 13, 20, and 27
Every Wednesday at Krause’s, bring out your best German/Bavarian attire for a full night of celebrating. Activities you can expect on Wednesdays include keg tappings, Yodel contests, Bavarian hat dances, Lederhosen & Dirndl costume contests, Bratwurst eating contests, selfie scavenger hunts, Schuhplatter contests, and more.

Monday Madness: October 4, October 18, and October 25
Enjoy music from Dance & Joy Oktoberfest DJ on October 25 and Soul Rebel Oktoberfest DJ on October 18. Try your chances at Beer Bingo on October 4.

Columbus Day, Monday, October 11
Spend your holiday chilling to live music with Geoff Hill & Tony Taylor from 1:30p.m. – 4:30p.m. and Max & The Waysiders from 6p.m. – 9p.m.

Reggae Nights: Once a month, October 24
Get your dancing shoes on, because Reggae nights will be once a month. The next reggae night will be October 24 and the band’s events will be updated directly on Krause’s website.

Walk A Mile In Her Shoes: October 3
Krause’s is hosting the Comal County Crisis Center fundraiser to raise awareness of domestic violence and help fund the counseling programs. The event will be held from 12p.m. to 7p.m., with all proceeds going towards the Crisis Center.

Half Price Tuesdays: All Day Every Tuesday
Guests are invited to enjoy half priced liters of German beer and half priced pretzels every Tuesday.

Halloween Costume Party: October 31
Celebrate Halloween for free at Krause’s for a chance to win the costume contest. There will be live music by the Alli Mattice Band, spooky drink specials, and a costume contest for both you and your canine companion. You can enter the contest with the Hostess upon arrival and the contest will begin promptly at 7:15p.m.

Live Music: 6+ Days A Week
Enjoy complimentary shows throughout the week at Krause’s. The lineup is subject to change and the select shows are ticketed, so check out Krause’s Café to stay up to date on all shows. Performances this coming week include:

Waller Creek Vipers (September 30) – playing from 6:30p.m. – 9:30p.m., their music is energetic and geared for dancers with a 20s-50s jazz style.
Chris Cuevas Project (October 1) – playing from 7p.m. – 10p.m., they are an original music band, blending blues, funk, soul, Latin, and jazz genres.
Tex Porter Band (October 2) – playing from 2p.m. – 5p.m., their music style ranges from Country, Honky-Tonk, Red Dirt, Classic Rock, and deep and rich originals.

Krause’s Café & Biergarten is a New Braunfels historic restaurant opened in 1938 and successfully ran until 1995. Today, Krause’s Café honors the previous traditions of the restaurant with the addition of a ‘Biergarten,’ live music, and more. The menu reflects New Braunfels’ German heritage as well as South Texas flavors. Over 100 beers are available on tap with local, regional, and international options. The restaurant also features cocktails and wines on tap.

Krause’s Café & Biergarten
148 S. Castell Ave.
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 625-2807

Krause’s Café & Biergarten

Celebrate National Taco Day at Taco Cabana

On Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, Taco Cabana invites guests to celebrate National Taco Day with special offers available all day long at all Texas locations. Guests can enjoy their choice of Taco Cabana’s classic bean and cheese, shredded chicken, or ground beef tacos for only $1 with no limit. (Taco Cabana, 2021)

Guests 21 years of age or older can choose from a selection of $2 frozen margaritas to add to the offer. $1 tacos are available through curbside pick-up, drive-thru, in restaurant, and via mobile order through the MyTC! App.

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, flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of beer and tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up, and delivery. As of August 1, 2021, Taco Cabana operates 142 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

Grant funding open to San Antonio’s food and beverage trailblazers

Grant funding is open for culinary innovation and community giveback projects. Photo: google

The San Antonio Food & Wine Alliance (SAFWA) recently announced that $17,000 in grants will be awarded this year to support culinary innovation and community giveback projects in South Texas. In its ninth year, the unique grant program has provided $441,500 in funding to Texas chefs, artisan producers, culinary nonprofits, and businesses with innovative projects that support the community. (San Antonio Food & Wine Alliance, 2021)

Grant applications will be accepted beginning Friday, October 1, through Sunday, October 24, 2021 via online submission. Grant winners will be announced and awarded at a ceremony at Fairmont Austin on December 13 and honored at a local celebration in January.

With the success of the nonprofit’s start in Austin, the organization expanded statewide last year to form the Texas Food & Wine Alliance and for the first time, will award an additional $57,000 in grants total in Austin, Dallas, and Houston.

Eligible applicants for the Alliance’s one-of-a-kind grant program include farmers, artisan producers, chefs, wine/beer/spirits makers, culinary nonprofits, businesses, and professionals whose projects and initiatives show innovation and impact to the community.

To assist prospective applicants in the grant process, there will be a virtual statewide information session via Zoom at 1p.m., Tuesday, October 12. For registration and information, email Texas Food and Wine Alliance.

San Antonio Food & Wine Alliance, one of South Texas’ most impactful culinary nonprofits, is dedicated to fostering education, awareness, and innovation in the South Texas food and wine community. The Alliance’s grant program is the first in the nation to provide funding to support culinary innovation that also gives back to the local community.

Despite the challenges Covid-19 brought to nonprofits, Austin Food & Wine Alliance (AFWA) announced a statewide expansion in 2020, allowing it to replicate its innovative grant funding program in Texas’ major cities with a goal to help the stricken culinary communities across the state due to the pandemic. The newly formed Texas Food & Wine Alliance serves as the umbrella organization overseeing AFWA, SAFWA, the Dallas Food & Wine Alliance, and the Houston Food & Wine Alliance.

“We’re so thrilled to be able to continue with our grant program despite the setbacks inflicted by the pandemic. It’s only through amazing partnerships such as with the great support of HEB, and the generous and supportive culture in San Antonio and South Texas that we’ve been able to raise the funds to award grants this year. These funds will continue to go back into the community through unique and innovative projects.” – Cathy Cochran-Lewis, Grant Chair and Alliance President

Since 2012, Alliance grants have funded innovative local projects such as the state’s first organic apple orchard (Argus Cidery), the first USDA-inspected salumi producer in Texas (Salt & Time Butcher Shop & Salumeria), the state’s first locally grown and malted barley to support craft beer production (Blacklands Malt), a unique volunteer program teaching farming skills to diverse populations and culinary students (New Farm Institute at Green Gate Farms), Austin’s first and only community-supported bakeshop (Miche Bread) and a Texas farm producing stress-free, free-range meat while helping wounded veterans (Snodgrass Farms).

“Being able to support and enable the dreams of so many in our community is truly a heartfelt mission for our organization. We are privileged to do this work and are inspired by the many chefs, artisan producers, bartenders, wine- and spirit-makers who have contributed to this remarkable culinary landscape for South Texas. It’s been a challenging year for our nonprofit and we’re extremely grateful to our sponsors and partners that have supported us in our mission.” – Gina Burchenal, TFWA Interim Executive Director

Each year, the TFWA board of directors determines the amount of grant funding based on the organization’s fundraising efforts from key signature events, community partnerships, and beneficiary events. The TFWA Grant Judging Committee in each city, composed of a private panel of prominent culinary professionals and community members, will award the 2021 grants based on the grant criteria, application information, and goals of each applicant. Deadline for applications is Sunday, October 24 and all applicants will be notified by Tuesday, November 23, 2021.

This year’s San Antonio grant total is boosted by three specifically funded grants:
· H-E-B Grant for $5,000, open to San Antonio area chefs, farmers, artisan producers, food-focused nonprofits, and educational groups that prioritize education, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
· Tito’s Handmade Vodka Entrepreneur Grant for $5,000 awarded to an entrepreneur who has pursued his/her business dream despite setbacks, showing that success often comes from failures, as exemplified by founder Tito Beveridge in the pursuit of his Texas-made vodka
· The Truffle Masters Grant for Community Heroes for $2,000 awarded to a chef who has overcome diversity and challenges to bring support to others during a time of crisis to help their community

Additional grant funding of $5,000 will be awarded to more generalized grant projects with special consideration given to initiatives supporting diversity and inclusion within the San Antonio community.

The Alliance continues to win tremendous community support from presenting sponsor H-E-B and key supporters ABC Bank, American Lamb Board, Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Austin Monthly, Buffalo Trace, Canopy by Hilton, Con ‘Olio Oils & Vinegars, Fairmont Austin, Fever Tree, Giant Noise, Lifeworks, Pabst Brewing, Patrón Tequila, Premiere Events, Republic National Distributing Company, Siete Family Foods, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, Sysco, Texas Beef Council, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Twang, Unifresh, and William Grant & Sons.

Under the Texas Food & Wine Alliance umbrella, the San Antonio Food & Wine Alliance is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering awareness, support, and innovation in the South Texas culinary community 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 is committed to promoting Texas food, wine, spirits, and craft brews and to increase appreciation of Texas’ culinary impact.

SA Examiner

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