Eat Drink Local Week's Culinary/Cultural Mash-Up

Photo by Dustin Meyer

Now in its sixth year, Edible Austin's Eat Drink Local Week has become a culinary and cultural mash-up that provides an opportunity to celebrate local food and drinks for several local cultural constituencies. Whether you're a bike lover, a social-media whiz, film fan, hipster cocktail maven, hippie environmentalist, backyard gardener/chicken farmer or chef-following, fine-dining aficionado – they've got an event designed to appeal to your conscience, your passion, and your palate. In addition to the four main events listed here, more than 50 area restaurants will be offering special locally based menu items during the next week, so be sure to inquire about those when eating out. Also check Edible Austin's website throughout the week for notice about pop-up cocktail parties around town, where Texas distillers and winemakers will join forces with chefs to present unique food and drink pairings, such as the one Fabi + Rosi are hosting with Paula's Texas Spirits on Friday, Dec. 7. The proceeds of these events will go to support the community efforts of two local food-focused nonprofits, the Sustainable Food Center and Urban Roots, so patrons are eating and drinking well and doing good, all at the same time. Complete details at www.edibleaustin.com.

Saturday, Dec. 1: Urban Farm Bike Tour This family-friendly event provides the opportunity for 20 optional stops at urban farms, community gardens, and farmers' markets. Enjoy farm tours, chef-prepared snacks, food products to buy, and prizes. Advance tickets are $35 through Nov. 30; $40 at the start; kids 12 and under, free.

Sunday, Dec. 2: An Evening With Raj Patel Author and activist Raj Patel speaks at Stateside at the Paramount about Generation Food – his multimedia project about how ordinary men and women around the world can develop better, smarter ways of growing food and feeding the world, now. $103 VIP tickets with reception; general admission, $28.

Monday, Dec. 3: 'Sideways' Benefeast at the Alamo South Lamar Enjoy a five-course feast designed to match Alexander Payne's oddball romp through the California wine country with wine pairings (no Merlot) by Bill Norris. $70 at www.drafthouse.com.

Sunday, Dec. 9: Live Auction Bidding Party This year's crown jewel event is an online celebrity chef auction that began Nov. 20 and concludes here. Bid on a dinner for eight prepared in your home by one of the participating chefs: Shawn Cirkiel, Paul Qui, David Bull, Sibby Barrett, Will Pack­wood, Jesse Griffiths, Mat Clouser, Tim Dornon, and Philip Speer. Bidding begins at $2,000. All registered bidders will be invited to attend this party, to be held at a private Central Austin estate, featuring a celebrity auctioneer and live music. You need not be present to have a winning bid.