Black Restaurant Week San Antonio

Now in its 3^rd year, Black Restaurant Week San Antonio is set for February 21-28 with more than 30 Black-owned restaurants, food trucks and food related businesses participating. This year the proceeds will support the San Antonio Food Bank. (San Antonio Food Bank, 2021)

This is an early notice that Black History Month will have another anchor event in the city with Black Restaurant Week San Antonio (BRWSA) 2021. More than 30 Black-owned restaurants, food trucks and businesses will be a part of BRWSA and each will have a special that is a give-back as a part of the week. With funds from the Tim Duncan Foundation, Spurs Give, and BRWSA participants, each special will give back 21 meals to kids and seniors facing hunger. Details about this special community event will be forthcoming.

Black Restaurant Week San Antonio was started in 2019 to focus support on and highlight Black owned businesses and Black professionals in the culinary field in San Antonio. The goal is to not only bring awareness but to celebrate “Cuisine, Culture and Community” through an assortment of events and charitable giving.

The San Antonio Food Bank is a 501c3 non‐profit organization providing millions of pounds of food to over 530 charitable organizations in Southwest Texas serving those in need. In addition to food distribution, the San Antonio Food Bank provides numerous programs that not only solve the immediate problems of hunger, but help individuals and families gain long‐term food security.

Spurs Give: We are a family – a team – passionate about sports. We are passionate about what sports can do for our community – especially our youth. At the heart of it, we believe sports can provide a family with a common goal, and a hope for a better future. We are Spurs Give – the official 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization of Spurs Sports & Entertainment. Since our founding in 1988, we have invested $30+ million in our community. Through our players’ passions, our grants, and our impact programs, we are changing lives and leaving a lasting impact. You give. We give. Spurs Give.

Culinaria Restaurant Weeks in January to support local eateries

Culinaria Restaurant Weeks will be a month long promotion to support local eateries. Photo: Culinaria San Antonio, used with permission.

Culinaria Restaurant Weeks’ bi-annual event to promote local eateries begins January 2 and runs through January 31, 2021 and is offering three course lunch and dinner menus for both dine-in and to-go. Due to the current situation limiting capacity to 50% for dine-in, Culinaria encourages to-go and curbside pick-up. Three course lunch menus are $20 and dinner menus are $35 and $45, and most also offer bar beverages for take-out. (Culinaria, 2020)

Guest safety and satisfaction is a priority. All participating restaurants are enforcing safety procedures and protocols when it comes to sanitizing and service.

Reservations are required for those preferring to dine-in. For a complete list of participating restaurants and to view menu options visit Culinaria online. While there, visit the Hospitality Fund tab for information on how you can help furloughed workers and businesses on the financial brink.

“Restaurants are continuously adapting, so keep in mind that hours are subject to change along with availability of some menu items. Restaurant teams are working hard to provide the best experience and service while working under unusual circumstances,” says Suzanne Taranto-Etheredge, president and CEO, Culinaria.

“The mission of Culinaria has always been to promote San Antonio as a culinary destination, and, to support the restaurant and hospitality community when they need us in times of financial hardship or family emergencies, as they have been there for the community in times of hardship – natural disasters, flood and hurricane relief. So, we ask the community to give what you can to help restaurant owners keep their establishments operational. Donations are 100 percent tax deductible.” – Suzanne Taranto-Etheredge.

Sweet Paris Crêperie and Café launches Holiday for Hunger

The Grinch crêpe at Sweet Paris. Photo: Sweet Paris, Used with permission.

Sweet Paris Crêperie and Café, located on Main Street at The Shops at La Cantera – 15900 La Cantera Parkway, across from Grimaldi’s and two doors down from Sur la Table, is launching Holiday for Hunger. A portion of proceeds from two holiday crêpes, the Turkey Cran Brie and The Grinch, will benefit the San Antonio Food Bank and Culinaria. (Sweet Paris, 2020)

The Turkey Cran crêpe features roasted turkey, brie cheese, bacon, spinach and fresh cranberry sauce, garnished with walnuts and dried cranberries for $10.95; and The Grinch crêpe is a savory combination of sweet cream cheese, strawberries, red and green M&M’s, and dulce de leche in a grinchy green batter for $9.95. A portion of proceeds from these crepes sold from November 27 through December 23 will benefit the San Antonio Food Bank and Culinaria. To participate, guests must say “Holiday for Hunger” when ordering. Sweet Paris business hours are 11a.m. to 8p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6p.m., Sunday.

The San Antonio Food Bank fights hunger and feeds hope in 16-counties and serves 58,000 individuals a week in one of the largest service areas in Texas. Sweet Paris shares the belief that no child should go to bed hungry and regularly aids the San Antonio Food Bank’s Kid’s Café and Backpack programs and believes that without awareness of a problem, people cannot take action to remedy it.

Culinaria promotes San Antonio as a premier food and wine destination. The organization supports local dining establishments through its Emergency Relief Fund and scholarships through its Endowment fund with the University of Houston’s Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management.

Culinaria expands to month long campaign to support local eateries

culinaria20 — Culinaria’s Restaurant Weeks has been expanded to a month-long campaign. Photo: Culinaria, used with permission.

This week, Culinaria announced the expansion of Restaurant Weeks to Restaurant Month, August 1-31. More than any other industry, restaurants have suffered the most significant sales and job losses since the COVID-19 outbreak. Initially the HospitALLity House focused on short-term needs by ensuring furloughed workers received a hot meal. Now, the HospitALLity Fund is a crucial part of Culinaria’s Emergency Relief efforts helping restaurants on the financial brink by assisting them in covering operating costs. (Culinaria, 2020)

Participating restaurants have $20 lunch, $45 dinner, three-course prix-fixe menus for dine-in or to go, and most also offer bar beverages for take-out. All businesses have implemented and are enforcing COVID compliant procedures and protocols for sanitizing and service. Reservations are required. A complete list of participating restaurants and information on how to donate to the HospitALLity Fund is available online. Donations are 100 percent tax deductible.

Culinaria is an independent, not-for-profit organization committed to promoting San Antonio as a premier wine and food destination while fostering community growth and enrichment. Culinaria is a registered 501 c (3) tax-exempt organization with a volunteer board of directors who represent the community and guide the organization in its mission to champion the wine and food industries.

“The mission of Culinaria has always been to promote San Antonio as a culinary destination, and, to support the restaurant and hospitality community when they need us in times of financial hardship or family emergencies, as they have been there for the community in times of hardship – natural disasters, flood and hurricane relief. So, we ask the community to give what you can to help restaurant owners keep their establishments operational. Donations are 100 percent tax deductible.” – Suzanne Taranto-Etheredge, president and CEO, Culinaria

Culinaria helps hospitality industry

Culinaria is helping out the hospitality industry with several programs. Photo: Culinaria, used with permission.

The hospitality industry is one of the major industries in San Antonio and amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it is an industry struggling more with each passing day. With many furloughed and inevitable restaurant closures, the situation will most likely get worse before it gets better. Culinaria, with its mission to promote San Antonio as a culinary destination for food and wine, is stepping in to help. The other component of its mission is to offer support to the industry it serves in times of financial hardship. In the past, fundraising was structured through events to benefit a specific individual or family, but now, at this time an event is not an option, and the need to assist others is of growing importance. (Culinaria, 2020)

Culinaria has initiated three tiers of assistance to address short and long-term needs for individuals and restaurants/bars in the San Antonio area.

HospitALLity House focuses on short-term needs by ensuring those in the hospitality industry receive a hot meal. Service is provided Monday through Saturday at Alamo BBQ from 4p.m. to 7p.m. and several other restaurants have stepped in to help with meals at their locations. Food donations and monetary contributions from generous businesses and individuals have helped keep this program going. It has already fed more than 12,000 in its first two weeks of operation.

Culinaria Family Meal Kits are networked through chefs for distribution to furloughed workers. Hospitality businesses who have employees in need can email Culinaria to be included in the kit distribution.

For long-term needs, an Emergency Relief Fund has been established and will issue funds to hospitality workers in need of financial assistance. Individuals and businesses are encouraged to donate to the Emergency Relief Fund through PayPal or Venmo online. An application process is available online and the current need is greater than the resources available, so Culinaria will continue its outreach to raise enough funds to assist more individuals and to later provide relief for restaurants and bars to reopen.

Culinaria’s social media channels will be posting the locations and times where hospitality industry workers can get the hot meals.

In addition, Culinaria is offering the Restaurant Weeks To-Go, to promote restaurants that have remained opened for to-go, curbside and delivery services. A complete listing of those restaurants, menus (when available) as well as restaurant websites and phone numbers is available online.

Some of the key support includes contributions from Chef Jason Dady, Silver Eagle, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Sysco, Alamo BBQ, Bakery Lorraine, Chef John Brand and Hotel Emma, Gaucho Gourmet, Cheesecake Factory, Panifico Bake Shop, Hush San Antonio, San Pellegrino and Texana Brands

“This is definitely an unprecedented time for us all and our hope is to support furloughed industry workers that have helped put this city on the map as a culinary destination.”- Suzanne Taranto-Etheredge, President/CEO of Culinaria.

Culinaria 5K Wine and Beer Run at The Shops at La Cantera

culinariawinerun19 — This year’s Culinaria 5K Wine & Beer Run will be on Saturday March 16. Photo: Culinaria, used with permission.

Coming up next month is the Culinaria 5K Wine & Beer Run, a 3.1-mile trek through The Shops at La Cantera with the scenic hill country as a backdrop, which makes for a one-of-a-kind experience unlike any other run in Texas. All 5K Wine & Beer Run participants will be able to enjoy a post-run celebration that promotes healthy lifestyle including delicious eats, irresistible drinks, wine and beer tastings, activities, shopping and more. (Culinaria, 2019)

Scheduled for Saturday, March 16, the pre-race festivities will begin at 7a.m. with the race starting at 8a.m. The cost ranges from $40 to $55. This event is open to all types of runners, including teams with a minimum of 10 participants. For more information or to register visit Culinaria online.

Friends, family members and visitors can enjoy the race day reception by purchasing a Race Reception ticket. Tickets are $20 for ages seven and up to take part in the after party and enjoy the food and festivities after the conclusion of the race. Not into running? Sign up to be a volunteer and enjoy a different side of race day. Packet Pick-Up is a must for registered participants in the Culinaria 5k; as that is where they will receive the bib, timing chip and t-shirt. Anyone who is not registered, or running is welcome to register at Packet Pick-Up, space available. Check Culinaria for time and location. This is an event that runners and non-runners alike will enjoy – so toast to a race well ran and dig in with Culinaria.

As a non-profit organization, Culinaria has been promoting San Antonio as a premier destination for culinary, beverage and hospitality to an international audience, while also serving as a resource for educational opportunities in those fields. Events that make up Culinaria include Restaurant Week, a 5k Wine & Beer Run, the Wine + Food Festival and the Hallowine Run as well as smaller events with several community partner events.

The Shops at La Cantera
15900 La Cantera Pkwy.
San Antonio, TX 78256

Culinary Institute of America announces new restaurant in San Antonio

savorinterior — SAVOR is coming to the Pearl this January. Photo: Clayton & Little, used with permission.

The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in San Antonio is excited to announce SAVOR, a brand-new restaurant coming to Pearl this January. The seasonal Modern-American concept is based on the CIA’s curriculum which teaches cuisines and techniques from around the world. The college’s world-class chefs and hospitality instructors will lead the students, who will prepare and serve dinner as part of their associate degree studies. Upon graduation after this class, students may go on to pursue their bachelor’s degrees in management, culinary science or applied food studies at the college’s New York campus. SAVOR is the newest member of the CIA Restaurant Group. (The Culinary Institute of America, San Antonio, 2018)

Before students join SAVOR, they have studied the cuisines and cultures of the Americas, Asia, the Mediterranean and Europe. Most menu items at SAVOR will be locally sourced and the CIA team relies on relationships with farmers and producers to create an array of fresh dishes. SAVOR’s menu style allows guests to build a customized three or four-course meal, including options such as honey-chili roasted chicken with fat rice and Asian lime; grilled Gulf shrimp with polenta, olives, and tomato; and Berkshire pork schnitzel with a sunny egg, chamomile apple and red sauerkraut. The purpose of this menu format is to educate both students and patrons on various cuisines. CIA faculty overseeing SAVOR are Chef Uyen Pham and service instructor Samantha Fletcher.

The bar and lounge area will feature a menu of smaller and shareable plates such as caviar, potato and soft egg with leeks and pumpkin seeds; roasted cauliflower and Brussels sprouts with toum garlic dip and chicken cracklings; and crisp-fried wings with miso-chili paste, pickled cucumber and toasted sesame. The beverage program will feature classic cocktails like a Negroni, a Manhattan and a dirty martini along with New World and Old-World wines and local favorite craft brews. The restaurant will be open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday.

SAVOR’s 2,500 square feet and 62-seat layout ensures that the ingredients, learning and great food are the focal points of the restaurant. Clayton & Little are the lead architects on this project and designed the modern industrial interior to highlight the open kitchen.

“We are thrilled to have SAVOR join the Pearl community. As a graduate of the CIA, I understand the hard work these students put in to make this a special experience for the guests, and I am excited the restaurant will bring flavors from all across the globe to our city.” – Shelley Grieshaber, culinary director for Pearl and previously director of education for the CIA in San Antonio.

SAVOR
200 E Grayson St., Suite #117
San Antonio, TX 78215

James Beard Foundation Celebrity Chef Tour Dinner at Hotel Emma

hotelemma2-pg — The James Beard Foundation Celebrity Chef Tour dinner will be held at Hotel Emma this Sunday October 28.

On Sunday October 28, the James Beard Foundation’s Celebrity Chef Tour Series is headed to Hotel Emma at the historic Pearl to serve up a night of fine dining. Eight renowned chefs from around the country will showcase their culinary talents at the event, each featuring a signature dish. The evening will consist of dinner and dessert followed by a Q & A with the event’s chefs. Tickets are on sale online and are $175 for James Beard Foundation members and the general public. (Hotel Emma, 2018)

The night will begin at 6:30p.m. with a cocktail reception hosted by Hotel Emma’s Chef John Brand followed by a multi-course dinner with wine pairings and ending with a decadent dessert course, all benefitting the James Beard Foundation. The dinner will feature dishes from special guests including Charleen Badman from FnB in Scottsdale, Arizona; Rick Lopez from La Condensa in Austin, Texas; Steven Redzikowski from Oak in Boulder, Colorado and Acorn in Denver; Daven Wardynski from Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort in Amelia Island, Florida and hometown chefs Tim McDiarmid from Tim The Girl and Steve McHugh from Cured.

The James Beard Foundation’s Celebrity Chef Tour showcases tastes from the country’s top chefs in cities across the nation for an interactive culinary experience to remember. The event is sponsored by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, US Bank, Whispering Angel Rosé and popular San Antonio bakery-café La Panaderia as the local sponsor. Brothers David and José Cáceres will provide loaves of their freshly baked kamut , birote and telera rolls for the dinner and will be in attendance to support their local chefs.

Hotel Emma
136 E. Grayson
San Antonio, TX 78215

‘Cowboy Barbecue’ book signing at Hotel Emma

Hotel Emma will be hosting a book signing this Saturday with Adrian Davila, author of ‘Cowboy Barbecue.’ Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Adrian Davila, third generation pit master of Davila’s BBQ, a nationally recognized restaurant in Seguin, will feature his latest cookbook, ‘Cowboy Barbecue: Fire & Smoke from the Original Texas Vaqueros,’ at Hotel Emma at a special book signing. In addition, Adrian will feature complimentary unique recipe samples to try from his cookbook. This event is free and open to the public and will take place Saturday October 27 from 11a.m. to 1p.m. (Hotel Emma, 2018)

In ‘Cowboy Barbecue,’ Adrian celebrates the traditions of Latin America and Texas, taking inspiration from the vaquero lifestyle of his own family history. For three generations, Davila’s BBQ in Seguin, TX has infused classic brisket, ribs and sausage with Latin flavors and ingredients. Davila goes beyond standard grilling in this guide, offering techniques for smoking, cooking directly on the embers, underground on a spit and more. Here, Mesquite Brisket is rubbed with fiery dose of cayenne; Vaquero Chili con Carne is served with Jalapeño Cheese Corn Bread; Smoked Pulled Pork is cooked low and slow, sweetened with Dr Pepper; and everything that goes with barbecue sauce can also be served with tomato, onion, and serrano salsa – fire-roasted of course.

Larder
Hotel Emma,
136 E. Grayson
San Antonio, TX 78215

Music and Cocktails weekend at La Cantera Resort & Spa

nightowls — The Nightowls will be performing on Saturday September 15 as part of the Music and Cocktails weekend at La Cantera Resort & Spa. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

La Cantera Resort & Spa, a part of the Destination Hotels collection, in partnership with the San Antonio Cocktail Conference present a Music and Cocktails weekend from Friday September 14 through Sunday September 16. Friday and Saturday events will benefit children’s non-profits through Houston Street Charities. The weekend event includes tastings, seminars and free music. (La Cantera Resort & Spa, 2018)

Schedule of events:
Friday, September 14 – 8p.m. to 10p.m.
Free jazz concert by saxophonist Roger Tamez on Plaza San Saba. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is limited to 1,000 people.

Saturday, September 15, Cocktail Seminars – 11a.m. to 4p.m.
$50 per person
o Texas Cocktails, presented by Nico Martini, author of Texas Cocktails and Chris Caldwell, resort Beverage Manager.
o Coffee Tequila Martinis Deconstructed, presented by Juan Pablo DeLoera, Avion Tequila.
o Japanese Whiskey & Mizuwari (Highball) History, presented by Rashidi Barrett, Beam Suntary.

Saturday evening – 8p.m. to 10p.m.
Free concert by The Nightowls on Plaza San Saba. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is limited to 1,000 people.

Sunday, September 16 – 10:30a.m. to 3p.m.
Gospel Brunch at Signature Restaurant, $50 per person
Live music by Wesley Bray and the Disciples of Joy. A pre-fix Southern style menu inspired by Chef Andrew Weissman, Bourbon Punch, Champagne and hand-crafted cocktails.

Tickets for the seminars can be purchased a la carte and guests can opt for a one or two-night stay at La Cantera Resort & Spa, the ideal retreat for sophisticated fun, poised at the pinnacle of 550-acres. It offers a pristine oasis with stunning views of the Texas Hill Country, an ideal backdrop for a weekend to celebrate music and mixology.

Cocktail Seminars tickets are $50 per person and are available online. Gospel Brunch is $50 per person, for reservations call (210) 247-0176.

La Cantera Resort & Spa
16641 La Cantera Parkway
San Antonio, TX
(210) 558-6500

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Category: Culinary Events