Category: Festival News

Krause’s Café gets ready for Oktoberfest

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Oktoberfest begins at Krause’s Café & Biergarten on Saturday September 22. Photo: Krause’s Café, used with permission. 

Oktoberfest is the world’s largest beer festival and fair held in Munich, Germany. German heritage runs rich in New Braunfels and Krause’s Café & Biergarten is excited to announce the return of its own Oktoberfest celebration and the restaurant is getting ready for two weeks of German celebrations. The official festivities begin on Saturday September 22 with a viewing of the traditional tapping of the keg in Germany. Throughout the month, there will be live music from German-inspired bands, lively events like doxen races, along with newly launched German cuisine items and international bier steins. (Krause’s Café & Biergarten, 2018)

Groups of party-goers or families can get a taste of Germany with the Munich Platter which features pork belly, pork shank, chicken schnitzel, assorted sausages, sauerkraut, red cabbage, and dunkel reduction (serves up to six, $70). For a German-Texan twist on Oktoberfest, patrons can try the Solms Platter of grilled quail, tenderloin skewers, kartoffel poppers, assorted sausages, barbecue shrimp and brussels sprouts (serves up to six, $85).

During Oktoberfest, New Braunfels becomes the Bavarian beer capital of South Texas. Year round, Krause’s Café and Biergarten is stocked with over 70 beers on tap, many being German steins. Guests can fill up on German bier from Hofbrau to Warsteine and more. Oktoberfest runs from September 22 through October 7 and Krause’s Café will host several Oktoberfest-related events.

Saturday, September 22
o A viewing of the Tapping of the Keg from Munich, Germany which will be projected on the big screen in the biergarten at 3p.m.
o Comal Community Band at 3p.m.
o The Oompahs at 7p.m.

Sunday, September 23
o Doxen Races – Watch as dachshunds race their way to the finish line on the turf patio, some come dressed in hats and some in scarves. All friendly dogs are welcome and races will begin at 4p.m. Guests who wish to participate can register their Dachshund online.

Thursday, September 27
o Rumor Town at 8p.m.

Krause’s Café & Biergarten
186 S. Castell Ave.
New Braunfels, TX 78130

Texas Taco Showdown new addition to Culinaria

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The Texas Taco Showdown is a new addition to the popular Culinaria Wine + Food Festival coming up next week at La Cantera Resort & Spa.  Photo: Culinaria, used with permission.

The Culinaria Wine + Food Festival is coming up next week from Thursday May 17 through Sunday May 20 and among the new additions to the festival this year is the Texas Taco Showdown. Also new to the festival are pop-up restaurants and the opportunity for guests to mix and mingle with up-and-coming chefs. (Culinaria, 2018)

The Texas Taco Showdown will take place on Saturday May 19 when thirty chefs from across the Lone Star State will descend on La Cantera Resort & Spa in the heart of the Texas Hill Country to take part of this exciting new competition. On the line are bragging rights and the chance to take home the title of taco champion. The Texas Taco Showdown is set for 12 noon to 5p.m. and will be divided into three categories: Modern, Classic and the ever-popular Breakfast Tacos. A panel of ten celebrity judges featuring chefs, media personalities and foodies will make the final determination about who earns the Top Taco titles.

The Texas Taco Showdown is just one of many new activities that Culinaria has planned for this year.  For example, guests will be able to mingle with up-and-coming chefs working alongside executive chefs from the city’s top restaurants on Friday night at the Texas Grand Tasting.

Restaurants currently signed up to participate in the pop-up restaurants are Grayze on Grayson Street, La Cantera Resort & Spa, Baklovah Bakery and Pasha Mediterranean Grill. Pasha will offer a Hookah lounge, a pop-up bakery featuring baklava and a food truck.

Culinary education remains a major part of the festival and will feature cooking and wine demonstrations.  The Lone Star State’s most delicious resource –Gulf Coast shrimp – will be featured at a station sponsored by the Texas Department of Agriculture.  Guests will be able to quench their thirst at the Wine Garden, the Beer Lounge or at the Yes Way Rosé Lounge.

The Burgers, BBQ & Beer event returns on Sunday when Chefs will set up grill stations for a backyard barbecue like no other. Expect exotic burger offerings featuring wild game alongside sumptuous beefy favorites as chefs go bun-to-bun to earn the top burger title. New this year is a fry station for French fries and onion rings for burger pairings.  Guests will also can enjoy the Culinary District happening in and around Burgers, BBQ & Beer.  This will provide festival-goers with ample opportunity to have access to tasty seminars, demos, wine, cocktails and shopping at the Culinary District with pop up restaurants, a variety of experiential hospitality and more; culminating to make Burgers, BBQ & Beer a Texas-sized experience of astonishing culinary and beverage proportions.

Culinaria was created to highlight San Antonio’s passion for food and to spotlight the city as a premiere food and wine destination. In the beginning, it was just a weekend of food and wine on the Riverwalk. Now it has expanded to include events as diverse a food competition and a barbeque extravaganza.

La Cantera Resort & Spa
16641 La Cantera Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78256
(210) 558-6500

A Night In Old Jazz Texas

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On April 19 and 26 Jazz, TX is hosting A Night In Old Jazz Texas.  Photo courtesy of Jazz, TX, used with permission.

Fiesta time in San Antonio means days of parties and events to celebrate the city’s diverse cultures and this year Jazz, TX is getting in on the action. The Pearl’s upscale music venue announces its Fiesta celebration of A Night in Old Jazz Texas on Wednesday April 19 and Wednesday April 26 from 8:30p.m. to 11:30p.m. This event will feature a special menu by Executive Chef Lorenzo Morales and a special performance by Mariachi Las Coronelas. This high energy all female group has performed for shows such as The Jimmy Kimmel Show, Will Ferrel’s Funny or Die Music and Comedy Show and more. Guests will be able to enjoy a Fiesta inspired menu with items such as Corn in a Cup, Chicken Tinga Quesadillas, Beef Gorditas, Duck on a Stick and Carnival Funnel Cake. Tickets are available online for $20 each. (Jazz, TX, 2017)

Jazz, TX is the Pearl’s newest upscale music venue owned and operated by renowned musician Brent “Doc” Watkins. It is in the cellar of the Bottling House and hosts musical acts ranging from jazz to blues, big band, Texas swing, salsa, conjunto and Americana including Doc Watkins. Business hours are Tuesday through Saturday and aside from music, guests can enjoy a wider variety of food, beverages, wine and spirits.

Jazz, TX
312 Pearl Parkway, Building 6 Suite 6001
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 332-9386

Hot Luck Festival in Austin

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Hot Luck Festival, a live music and food festival, will take place in Austin from May 18 through May 21, 2017. Photo: Sandra Cruz

Hot Luck Festival is a live music and food festival that will take place in Austin from Thursday May 18 through Sunday May 21, 2017.  It is a celebration of fire, food, music and camaraderie inspired by tailgates, family reunions, get togethers and potlucks and will be held at various locations in Austin. A portion of the festival’s proceeds will benefit The SAFE Alliance, a merger of Austin Children’s Shelter and SafePlace, agencies that serve the survivors of child abuse, sexual assault and exploitation and domestic violence. Tickets are available for purchase online and range from single tickets to music and food events for $12 to $550 for “The Whole Enchilada” package. More information on specific festival events and ticket information is available online. (Hot Luck Festival, 2017)

The festivities will begin on Thursday May 18 with the Black Lips performing. Other musical acts include Black Joe Lewis, Robert Ellis, Rayland Baxter and Shonen Knife at venues such as Barracuda, Mohawk, White Horse and more. One of a kind events include on Friday May 19 when Chef Yoshi Okai of Otoko who was recently named Food & Wine Magazine’s “Best New Chef” of 2017 will serve Japanese fare while fans enjoy the music of Japanese pop-punk band Shonen Knife. Other participating chefs include Elias Cairo, from Olympia Provisions in Portland, Jennifer Tucker from Jeffrey’s, Justin Brunson from Old Major in Denver, Ben Runkle from Salt and Time, Kristine Kittrell from Weather Up and Laura Loomis from Two Bros BBQ Market in San Antonio.

Fiesta parade dinner at Landry’s Seafood

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Landry’s Seafood is hosting a Fiesta parade dinner for The Texas Cavaliers River Parade on April 24, 2017. Photo: Sandra Cruz

Fiesta is right around the corner and this year Landry’s Seafood is hosting a Fiesta parade dinner on Monday April 21 from 5:30p.m. to 10p.m. for parade goers who wish to have a front row view for the Texas Cavaliers River Parade either on the patio or inside the dining room. The evening will consist of a four course prix fixe menu for $110 per person and includes tax and gratuity. Tickets are limited and are available online. The courses consist of a house trio appetizer consisting of seafood stuffed jalapeno ,shrimp enbrochette and stuffed avocado, a grilled watermelon salad, a choice between Fiesta Mahi,ultimate surf and turf platter or Cornish game hen and  for dessert a chocolate cake and cheesecake.(Landry’s Seafood, 2017)

Fiesta San Antonio started in 1891 as a one parade event to honor the memory of the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto. Since then it has grown into one of biggest festivals with an economic impact of millions of dollars and celebrates the city’s rich and diverse cultures. It is called
a party with a purpose because it raises funds for non-profits around the city.

Landry’s Seafood
517 N Presa St.
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 229-101

Evening with the Authors event April 20

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The Texas Book Festival will be hosting an ‘Evening with the Authors’ event on Thursday April 20, 2017. Photo: google

The Texas Book Festival, in partnership with the Texas Library Association, will be hosting an ‘Evening with the Authors’ event on Thursday April 20 at 6p.m. at La Orilla Del Rio Ballroom. Guests will be able to enjoy dinner overlooking the San Antonio River Walk in La Orilla Del Rio Ballroom while five acclaimed national authors read from their latest literary work. They will also be able to meet with any of the participating authors and attend a special book signing immediately following the dinner. Tickets are $45 and available online. Since seating is limited, anyone interested should act fast. Deadline to purchase tickets is Friday April 7. (Texas Book Festival, 2017)

Authors scheduled to appear include international bestselling and award-winning author of “Shotgun Lovesongs” Nickolas Butler, acclaimed author of mystery-horror “The Winter People” Jennifer McMahon, author of the female private investigator Warshawski series and international philanthropist Sara Paretsky, Young Adult crossover novelist Ruta Sepetys, whose latest novel “Salt to the Sea” is a New York Times #1 bestseller and critically acclaimed author Amanda Eyre Ward.

La Orilla Del Rio Ballroom
203 South Saint Mary’s St
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 207-2753

Austin Food + Wine Festival in April

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The sixth annual Austin Food + Wine Festival will take place April 28 – 30, 2017. Photo: Sandra Cruz

The sixth annual Austin Food + Wine Festival returns in April for three days of tastings and food demonstrations featuring local talent and celebrity culinary stars. It all takes place from Friday April 28 through Sunday April 30, 2017. Festival sponsors include FOOD & WINE, Republic National Distributing, Barilla, Toyota and KitchenAid.  A full list of participating chefs and beverage talent, detailed festival information and ticket information is available online and all attendees must be 21 and older. (Austin Food + Wine Festival, 2017)

The All-In ticket is $625 per person and includes Saturday and Sunday Festival access, access to over 40 culinary demos and beer, wine and cocktail tasting sessions, access to the Fire Pits, all-day access to the Grand Taste Pavilion including the Chef Showcase, access to a special Sunday Gospel Brunch by The Warrior Gospel Band, Tim Love’s Hands-On Grilling Demo access for Saturday or Sunday and entrance to evening events including Friday night’s Lone Star Nights and Saturday night’s Rock Your Taco.

The Weekender ticket is $250 per person and includes Saturday and Sunday Festival access, access to over 40 culinary demos and beer, wine and cocktail tasting sessions, access to the Fire Pits, all-day access to the Grand Taste Pavilion including the Chef Showcase and a special Sunday Gospel Brunch by The Warrior Gospel Band.

There will also be a contest/giveaway in which one lucky winner will get to join award-winning chef and author Hugh Acheson on stage during his cooking demo as his Sous Chef.  Prizes include an Austin Food + Wine Festival apron, a signed copy of his “A New Turn In The South” cookbook and an opportunity to assist Hugh, a world-renowned chef, restaurateur and James Beard award-winning cookbook author, while getting the ultimate hands-on lesson.  Information on this unique opportunity is available online.

Auditorium Shores
800 W Riverside Dr
Austin, TX
(512) 974-6700