Local Food Community Gives Back

Growth in Lakeway, another Austin festival, and more afternoon bites.

While the rest of us go about our business during the busy holiday season, the folks at Keep Austin Fed are busy repurposing and redistributing excess food in order to feed Austin's hungry. Fed Truck Friday is an all-day, city-wide food trailer crawl that benefits Keep Austin Fed, making it possible for Austinites to support KAF's good works by simply eating at any of the food trucks who've signed up to participate in the event. Once you've checked out the list of participating trucks, just saunter up to the window and say “I'm here to feed my face and spread the love” when placing your order, and the truck owner will donate 10% of your total bill to KAF. Feeding the hungry by feeding your face could be the easiest present you give this year. – V.B.W.

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In more food altruism news, ThunderCloud Subs announced the total earning for their annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot. The Austin tradition raised $285,000 for Caritas of Austin. That brings the event's 25 year total to just under $3 million. – B.W.

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The restaurant landscape is not just changing within the city of Austin these days. There's also some shuffling going on along RR 620 in the Lakeway area. Fans of French country cuisine and fine French baked goods were disappointed when international chef Cesidio d'Andrea didn't renew his lease on the highly-regarded Artisan Bistro at the end of July. Look for Verona Ristorante to take over that space in the Lakeway Commons center (900 RR 620 S.) sometime soon. Farther up the road, the Grumpy Grouper Saloon (1113 RR 620 N) will replace the former Detour Bar & Grill. Still no word yet on what could happen to the restaurant space vacated when the former Hill Country Pasta House (3519 RR 620 N) closed in early September. – V.B.W.

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The food and music communities in Austin have been in an ever-escalating race to see who can start the most festivals, so it is only natural that the two should meet. Yesterday, Ryan Sanders Entertainment announced the NOLA, Texas Food and Music Festival to be held April 3, 2016 at Cedar Park Center. On the music side, expect performances from Dr. John, Leon Russell, Asleep at the Wheel, and Cowboy Mouth. On the food side, Chris "Shaggy" Davis, the traveling "Crawfish King" will join unannounced celebrity chefs. Tickets will go on sale to the public this Friday at 10am through Ticketmaster. – B.W.

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Why should libations be solely relegated to bars, restaurants, and your cool uncle's basement? This Friday, Dec. 18, the folks at Shed Barbershop are hosting a special charitable edition of their Old Fashioned Friday with drinks by the Roosevelt Room and Hops & Grain Brewery. The barbershop, popular among local food editors with on point hair, suggests a $10 donation to Front Steps or a physical donation of winter items such as blankets, winter coats, gloves, scarves, hats, new warm socks, new underwear (large or XL for men or women), and hygeine items like chapstick, combs and deodorant. 8:30-11pm. – B.W.

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Also on Friday, William Scanlan, the local founder of Heavy Métl Premium Imports will be dropping some considerable mezcal knowledge at a tasting at Travis Heights Beverage World, pouring Rey Campero Espadin, Madrecuishe, Mexicano, Tobala and Jabali and Real Minero Barril. 5-8pm. – B.W.