Tag: Texas Food & Wine Alliance

Texas Food & Wine Alliance announces Live Fire! and Rick Bayless meet and greet

Tickets are now on sale for can’t miss Texas Food & Wine Alliance fundraisers. Photo: Texas Food & Wine Alliance, used with permission.

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.

Texas Food & Wine Alliance holiday auction

Texas Food & Wine Alliance rings in holidays with blowout Taste of Texas fundraiser. Photo: Texas Food & Wine Alliance

Romantic Texas getaways, once-in-a-lifetime epicurean experiences, and gourmet gift baskets are up for grabs Monday, November 22 through Tuesday, December 14 when the Texas Food & Wine Alliance (TFWA) hosts the Taste of Texas Auction. The distinctive fundraiser, now in its second year, will support the organization’s statewide culinary grant and educational programs. (Texas Food & Wine Alliance, 2021)

What better way to support local food systems than bidding on irresistible packages tailored for wine lovers, cocktail fans, and foodies? The curated lots cover a wide variety of options suitable for holiday gifting, sharing with friends, or surprising a significant other. 

Bidding began at 12 noon, November 22 and ends at midnight, December 14. A “buy now” option is available to give supporters the immediate option to purchase. New items will be added throughout the auction as lots sell out.

Highlights of the Taste of Texas Auction include:

  • A swinging golf adventure at Horseshoe Bay Resort featuring a one-night stay, a round of golf for two, and a $100 resort credit.
  • A Franklin Barbecue party for ten featuring a branded Franklin Yeti cooler stuffed with a whole smoked brisket, five sausage links, and one bottle of Texas barbecue sauce.
  • A romantic Hill Country getaway at Fredericksburg’s Hoffman Haus luxury bed and breakfast with a $100 gift card to La Bergerie and a $150 gift card to Otto’s German Bistro.
  • A three-hour sunset cruise from Float On Boat Rentals stocked with two cases of Lone Star Rio Jade Mexican-style lager and a Yeti Roadie cooler.
  • A sweetheart Commodore Perry Estate experience featuring a one-night stay at the private retreat, complimentary Champagne, dinner for two at Lutie’s, and an intimate breakfast.
  • A VIP tasting for six at Southold Wine & Cellars with winemaker Reagan Meador.
  • A dinner for ten at San Antonio’s acclaimed Mixtli with wine pairings.

The Taste of Texas auction is boosted by the support of ABC Bank, whose contribution allowed the Alliance to aid Texas restaurants and bars. In addition, the auction was supported by BookPeople, Ken and Gina Burchenal, Casero, C.L Butaud Wines, Commodore Perry Estate, Drink. Well, Jessica Dupuy, Float On Boat Rentals, Fonda San Miguel, Franklin Barbecue, Kendra Scott, Lone Star Beer, Mixtli, Monger’s Market + Kitchen, Qi, Side Street Hospitality, Skurnik Wines, Spillers Honey Bees, Southold Cellars, Cathy Strange, Tom Sunstrom and Virginia Greenway, Texas Fine Wine, TLC, Two Hives Honey, Wicked Foods, William Chris Vineyards, and Your Hearts Desire.

The Texas Food & Wine Alliance is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering awareness, support, and innovation in the 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’s commitment is to promote Texas food, wine, spirits, and craft brews and to increase appreciation of Texas’ culinary impact. The Texas Food & Wine Alliance serves as the umbrella organization overseeing the Austin Food & Wine Alliance, the San Antonio Food & Wine Alliance, the Dallas Food & Wine Alliance, and the Houston Food & Wine Alliance.

Photo: Texas Food & Wine Alliance, used with permission.

Hopscotch now accepting proposals for ‘Hop-Up’

Hopscotch announces a pop-up restaurant incubator series to benefit the San Antonio Food & Wine Alliance. Photo: Hopscotch, used with permission.

Hopscotch, a uniquely curated immersive art experience created by entrepreneurs Nicole Jensen and Hunter Inman, is excited to announce a new restaurant incubator series, Hop-Up. Hopscotch is currently soliciting proposals for unique pop-up food concepts to be included in its inaugural Hop-Up series benefiting the San Antonio Food & Wine Alliance (SAFWA). (Hopscotch, 2021)

Hop-Up will be an excellent opportunity for local up-and-coming food concepts to test out a longer service format, as well as an opportunity for out of market concepts to gauge San Antonio for a potential long-term restaurant. Each selected concept will operate during a two-month residency at Hopscotch, providing food service during Hopscotch’s regular business hours and any special events, they will also be able to operate independent of Hopscotch on days the gallery is closed. The monthly rent will be a total of just $1,000, which includes water and electricity, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting SAFWA.  Concepts will rotate every two months, with new concepts being announced via social media, newsletter and more. 

“We’re thrilled to partner with Hopscotch on the Hop-Up Series,” said Mariam Parker, Executive Director of the San Antonio Food & Wine Alliance. “We can’t wait to highlight the diversity, passion, and brilliance of San Antonio cuisine.”

All chosen concepts will operate on the open-air Hopscotch patio, located in downtown San Antonio across from Travis Park and the St. Anthony Hotel. Hopscotch is located at 711 Navarro St Suite 100, San Antonio, TX 78205. Concepts can operate out of a food truck, food trailer, or pop-up tent. Proposals are being accepted starting now until May 7 via San Antonio Food & Wine Alliance’s.

During the era of COVID-19, Hopscotch will be taking enhanced precautions to make sure the experience is safe for both staff and guests. 

“Hopscotch strongly believes in cultivating lasting relationships and synergy with the local creative community — we feel that food and beverage is an important part of a holistic immersive experience. We like to include a multitude of contrasting styles and mediums in our art gallery, and we would like the same for our Hop-Up Series, showcasing an array of different flavors and unique concepts.  We’re excited to support and partner with the San Antonio Food and Wine Alliance.” – Nicole Jensen, Co-Founder of Hopscotch.

Hopscotch is an immersive and experiential brand that brings together artists in collaborative environments to create distinctive shared experiences. Co-founded by entrepreneurs Nicole Jensen and Hunter Inman, Hopscotch provides distinct experiences through the curation of local-centric, immersive, and experiential art. Hopscotch creates platforms for local, national and international artists to experiment with a wide spectrum of mediums and technology. Hopscotch’s aim is to elicit a sense of joy and wonder in the curated spaces, where guests may explore beyond their day to day reality. Hopscotch strongly believes in cultivating lasting relationships and a synergy with artists and the local communities they are in.

Under the Texas Food & Wine Alliance umbrella, the San Antonio Food & Wine Alliance is dedicated to fostering awareness, support, and innovation in South 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 work ensures a strong local food system and promotes the next generation of culinary businesses and nonprofits throughout South Texas.