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World Wide Guinness Day
Wes Marshall
Tue Mar 16, 4:17pm
Today, people around the world will drink over 10,000,000 pints of Guinness. Tomorrow, heaven only knows how many pints will be downed in the name of St Patrick.
Meet One of Burgundy's Great Winemakers
Wes Marshall
Sun Feb 28, 5:16pm
Tags: Wine and Food Events
Anyone interested in the great wines of Burgundy should consider the last minute addition of the renowned Jacques Lardiere, director of winemaking at Maison Louis Jadot.
What Oscar Winners Will be Drinking
Wes Marshall
Wed Feb 24, 4:19pm
Wish you could be at the Oscars on March 7? Well, you may not get to walk the red carpet, but you can drink the same concoction being served to the stars at the ceremonies.
The Carillon: Update
Katherine Gregor
Mon Feb 1, 8:28pm
Chef Josh Watkins (who drew national attention as executive chef at the Driskill Grill) unveiled his refreshed “New American Grill” menu at a media party last Thursday at The Carillon. The food was spectacularly good; the downside is the University of Texas restaurant’s academic-institutional feel.
Lynch Bages Comes to Austin
Wes Marshall
Tue May 26, 4:06pm
, 2009
A group of French wine lovers welcomed Jean-Michel Cazes, owner of Lynch-Bages winery, for a celebratory dinner at Aquarelle on April 19. It was a homecoming as M. Cazes had been a graduate student at UT, earning a Masters degree in Petroleum Engineering. His visit was from a series of coincidences.
Earlier this year, at UT, another French graduate student in Petroleum Engineering was reading an old Wine Spectator. Anne Burgot relates the story: "I saw this article about Jean-Michel Cazes, like me, did an engineering degree like me in Paris, and then came to Austin to do the same Master degree as me in UT in Austin in 1959, just 50 years ago! So many coincidences! I found that it was too much to be random. Since I love organizing events, I wrote him a letter to ask him if he would like to come back to Austin 50 years later and that I would volunteer to organize a wine tasting dinner at a delicious French restaurant I know." She never expected to hear back from him, but "two weeks later he sent me an email letting me know that he would love to come back to Austin and could be here in April."
Indeed, Ms. Burgot spent four solid months working on the event, but at the end, she put together a benefit for the Wine and Food Foundation of Texas and filled all of Aquarelle's seats. Best for Austin, her newfound interest in wine and organzing have her hooked. Her next program will be to put together a quarterly tasting of wine for women.
As for the dinner, food and wine were both loved by all. Aquarelle's five course menu was scrumptious, as were the wines, but the dinner was dominated by Almond Crusted Beef Tenderloin with Foie Gras and a Cabernet Reduction married with both a 1996 and 1988 Lynch-Bages. The wine of the night, for my purposes, was the 2005 Chateau Villa Bel Air, a dense and rich Graves loaded with violets and lavender.
Thanks again to Ms. Burgot for her efforts and for these photos of herself with M. Cazes and of the Aquarelle kitchen team with M. Cazes.
Sunday Fair
Kate Thornberry
Thu May 7, 1:03pm
, 2009
The final event of the Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival is a shebang called "Sunday Fair", which takes place on the last day of the Festival. Last year it was staged at a big, shady park in Georgetown; this year it was held at the Vineyard at The Salt Lick in Spicewood. I think it always MUST be held outside of Austin, because it must be held in a big field where multiple enormous tents can be put up, and there has to be ample parking for thousands.
The Taste of Parkside
Kate Thornberry
Thu Apr 23, 10:47pm
, 2009
Chef Shawn Cirkiel at Parkside invited the Blogitariat down to his place for a Food Blogger Happy Hour to showcase an 8-course tasting menu. I have read about Parkside (particularly M.M. Pack’s Review, which interested me greatly) and I knew it’s general location, but I have never been. Based on the tastes of their menu I enjoyed tonight, Parkside completely lives up to the hype; this place is a real contender.
Stonehouse Vineyard Luncheon
Kate Thornberry
Wed Apr 22, 12:09am
, 2009
Tags: Food
Every year as part of the Texas Hill Country Food and Wine Festival, area vineyards host Luncheons that feature local celebrity chefs and Texas wines. So far, I would have to say that the Vineyard Luncheons are the most enjoyable part of the Food and WIne Festival; the food is incredible (chefs like to cook for an appreciative crowd, I think) and the settings are spectacular (Hill Country Vineyards in April, at the height of the wildflower season). The price for these luncheons is absurdly low in my opinion ($65); you would pay more for just the wine in a restaurant setting.
Weekend Market Visit Makes Me Even More Grateful For Rain This Week
Virginia B. Wood
Thu Mar 12, 10:32am
, 2009
A huge crowd showed up for Toyota's Taste of the Market event at the Downtown Farmers' Market on a blustery Saturday morning. Shoppers (and dog walkers) were amply rewarded with tasty tidbits while they strolled. An impressive line-up of local chefs was paired with area farmers and livestock producers in order to provide samples of delicious locally-sourced food items to the enthusiastic crowd. I was only there a couple of hours and I managed to sample FINO's rustic Spanish Tortilla topped with a slice of pork sausage from Peach Creek Farm, La Condesa's fish tacos with grouper from San Miguel Seafood, an earthy rabbit and bacon terrine from Dai Due made with rabbit from Countryside Farm and pork from Richardson Farms,a dainty square of Fete Accompli's Mediterranean Fritatta made with vegetables from Milagro Farm, and Lambert's spicy grilled pizza topped with Loncito's Lamb.
Another On-Site Sales Bill for Brewers
Lee Nichols
Wed Mar 11, 7:05pm
, 2009
Another bill has been filed at the Texas Legislature that would allow breweries to sell their product on-site, as wineries are already allowed to do. This one is by Houston State Rep. Jessica Farrar; it appears to be more limited than Lon Burnam's bill. Read it about it on my personal blog.
Win a Kegerator From Saint Arnold!
Lee Nichols
Fri Feb 13, 4:15pm
, 2009
Tags: Beer
Do you have a camera? Can you operate it while buzzed? Then our favorite Houston brewery, Saint Arnold, has a challenge for Austinites: Join their Austin Scavenger Hunt Pub Crawl and you might win a kegerator! Participants must bounce from one Austin tavern to another, snapping pics of yourself with objects designated in the rules. Click on the link for full instructions. And get on it – the deadline to submit your pictures is Feb. 22.
Last Minute Valentine's suggestions
Virginia B. Wood
Wed Feb 11, 12:02pm
, 2009
This time last year, I was up to my eyeballs in delicious local chocolates and suffering serious sugar shock while our photographer John Anderson and foodstylist MM Pack set up all the mouthwatering photos. This year, I received a few tasty Valentine's treats and plenty of information about local offerings that are worth sharing. If you still haven't made those Valentine's Day reservations or purchased just the right gift for your Sweet Baboo - here are some ideas that might just help you avert romantic disaster this weekend.
I Am So Grateful for Rain!
Virginia B. Wood
Wed Feb 11, 11:49am
, 2009
After months of debilitating, extraordinary drought, we've finally seen some rain in Austin this week. And true to my statement at the first of the year - I am very grateful and saying so to anyone who will listen, several times a day. Say it with me now, "We are so grateful for rain and would love some more!"
Where's the Summer Sausage Blimp?!
Anne Harris
Fri Jan 30, 3:20am
, 2009
Tags: NFL
I won't lie, while the Arizona Cardinals make history against the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend, I'll be going a little crazy. Everybody knows about the annual License to Crunk on Super Bowl Sunday. While for some it's whiskey and pharmaceuticals, for me it's about a midmorning nosedive off the wagon for the junk-in-the-trunk nosh I've been deprived of all year. CPR may happen at my house, but it won't involve the cops.
New Cocoa Puro Products in My Kitchen
Virginia B. Wood
Mon Jan 26, 11:40am
, 2009
During the Christmas holidays, local chocolatier Tom Pedersen dropped off samples of the newest products in his Cocoa Puro line of delectable chocolate treats. The holidays flew by before I had a chance to try them out and report back on the results. Now that I've had plenty of time to enjoy them at my leisure, here's what I can tell you.
Hooray for 'Duck Soup'!
Virginia B. Wood
Mon Jan 26, 11:21am
, 2009
Tags: Film Feast
Aficionados of the films of the Marx Brothers, as well as those with a culinary appreciation of duck dishes, will want to purchase tickets for this week's Duck Soup Feast at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar. Chef John Bullington has designed a mouth-watering four-course menu for a mere $50. The feast is Wednesday evening, Jan. 28, at 7pm. Check out the menu and make reservations at www.originalalamo.com.
Back to Blogging with News of Roger Mollett!
Virginia B. Wood
Mon Jan 26, 11:04am
, 2009
Wow, it seems like forever since I made a blog post! That's because it really has been nearly two months since I've updated any information here, but that changes today. For those of you who love and remember former Central Market Cooking School chef Roger Mollett, he's having a rough go of it with diabetes-related health issues at the momemt. In lieu of sending out regular emails to their legion of Austin friends, Roger's partner Greg Murphy is posting regular info on a care page. Now it's possible for any and all of us who are concerned about Roger's current health problems to go to www.caringbridge.org/visit/rogermollet for information and the opportunity to post messages of support and concern to Roger and Greg. Check in with them and let Roger know that we all envision him well and hearty as soon as possible.
Holiday Dessert Contest Winners Recipes Revealed
Virginia B. Wood
Mon Dec 1, 6:59pm
, 2008
The recent Holiday Dessert Recipe Contest at Faraday's Kitchen Store (1501 RR 620 North, 266-5666) attracted more than 50 entries and a large, enthusiastic crowd to the store on the day of the judging, November 15th. Linda Adams won both the Grand Prize and the Cakes/Cupcakes division with a recipe for Fresh Pear Cake she adapted from a Houston Junior League Cookbook years ago. With pears in season, it should make a tasty addition to any holiday table.
Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas
Virginia B. Wood
Mon Nov 24, 5:22pm
, 2008
Two local businesses are ready and willing to help out with tasty dessert selections to complement your Thanksgiving feast. No matter what the family sweet tooth craves, these folks have something to satisfy.
Le Beaujolais Nouveau Est Arrivé!
Virginia B. Wood
Wed Nov 19, 7:03pm
, 2008
Tags: Wine and Food Events
"At one past midnight on the third Thursday of each November, over a million cases of Beaujolais Nouveau begin their journey through a sleeping France to Paris for immediate shipment to all parts of the world. Banners announce the news: Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé!"
Interesting New Flavors
Virginia B. Wood
Tue Nov 18, 11:45am
, 2008
One of the most interesting aspects of this job is the opportunity to sample new food products when they are about to reach the local market. Over the past few months, I 've received samples of bread crumbs, chicken stock, various spices and condiments ( you should see the amazingly diverse selection of spices and condiments in my pantry just now!), breakfast cereals, several flavors of instant mashed potatoes (yuk), imported chocolates (alas, all melted), plus wines and liqueurs (always shared with other writers). None of these items really warranted much mention, but there were also some serious keepers. The best of the bunch was a box of six Sweet Tango apples developed by apple breeding researchers at the University of Minnesota. These were undoubtedly the best tasting apples I've ever encountered - crisp, sweet, spicy - really marvelous for eating and with enough body to hold up well when baked ( or so I imagine). I liked them so much that all I could think about was all the things I wanted to make with them - caramel apples, holiday pies, apple dumplings, apple crisps - but there were only six of them in the box and they were eaten long before any cooking could actually take place. These remarkable apples won't even be on the commercial market until the fall of 2009, but I promise to remind you about them when they arrive in Austin stores next year.
Break Out Your Best Holiday Dessert Recipe for Faraday's New Contest
Virginia B. Wood
Fri Oct 31, 11:57am
, 2008
Last year's Holiday Cookie Recipe Contest at Faraday's Kitchen Store (1501 RR 620 North, 266-5666) was such a success that organizers have decided to seek out the best Holiday Desserts in Austin for this year's competition. Prizes will be awarded in the following categories: Pies,Tarts & Tortes; Cakes and Cupcakes, Light & Healthy Favorites and; Other (for anything that doesn't fit in the first three). A Grand Prize winner will be chosen from the individual category winners and customers in attendance the day of the judging are encouraged to vote for a People's Choice winner. There will be prizes from sponsoring vendors, store gift certificates, and the grand prize is a 5qt Viking stand mixer. (I LOVE my Viking mixer!)
The judging will take place in the store at 11am on Saturday, November 15th. Entries must be dropped off between 8:30-10:30am that day. Desserts will be available for the public to taste from 11am-3pm and prizes will be awarded at 4pm. Judges for this year's event will be Chef Kelly Casey, pastry chef from Hudson's on the Bend;Chef Steve Mannion,Director and co-founder of the Culinary Academy of Austin and;Sharon O'Quinn, manager of Faraday's.
Potential contestants must submit a registration form and signed rule sheet by Friday, November 7th. For more information and entry forms, stop by the store or go to www.faradayskitchenstore.com. Good Luck!
The judging will take place in the store at 11am on Saturday, November 15th. Entries must be dropped off between 8:30-10:30am that day. Desserts will be available for the public to taste from 11am-3pm and prizes will be awarded at 4pm. Judges for this year's event will be Chef Kelly Casey, pastry chef from Hudson's on the Bend;Chef Steve Mannion,Director and co-founder of the Culinary Academy of Austin and;Sharon O'Quinn, manager of Faraday's.
Potential contestants must submit a registration form and signed rule sheet by Friday, November 7th. For more information and entry forms, stop by the store or go to www.faradayskitchenstore.com. Good Luck!
A Satisfied Crowd Feasted on the Bounty of the Fall Harvest for a Good Cause
Virginia B. Wood
Fri Oct 31, 10:34am
, 2008
Tags: Benefit
The annual Green Corn Project benefit on the grounds of Boggy Creek Farm is always one of my favorite tasting events on the Austin charity calendar. This year, the fall weather was marvelous and the new arrangement of vendor booths and dining tables really improved the overall traffic flow around the farm house. The higher number of food vendors and stellar quality of the seasonally-focused food made for a very satisfying afternoon for the crowd. Kudos to new organizer Lisa Fox and the hard-working all-volunteer staff of the Green Corn Project. My only suggestion to participating chefs would be in the area of portion control. Although this is a tasting event, many of the chefs were serving overly generous portions during the first hour, causing food to run low as early as 2:30pm when the event was not scheduled to end until 4pm. Organizers working the gate wisely cut prices to folks who bought tickets after the food began to wane, but guests who had purchased advance tickets and arrived towards the end of the afternoon found the pickings pretty slim. There are two solutions to this problem (1)encourage chefs to begin the day serving smaller portions and (2)limit the running time of the event from noon to 3pm rather than 4pm. After the jump is a list of some of the great food we tasted as we made our way around the front yard of the farm.
Spend Halloween in a Local Haunted Hotel
Virginia B. Wood
Tue Oct 28, 5:00pm
, 2008
Tags: Halloween
This time of year, Austin's historic Driskill Hotel (6th & Brazos, 391-1712) makes the most of its designation as the "most haunted hotel in Texas" with a special Driskill After Dark package deal. Guests can get special rates on accommodations as well as a guided tour of the identified haunted areas of the grand old hotel, the opportunity to observe all the garish and ghoulish costumed Halloween festivities on East 6th Street from the Driskill's popular balcony overlooking the scene, plus treats (or tricks) at turndown time. Not to be outdone, Driskill Grill Executive Chef Jonathan Gelman and Pastry Chef Tony Sansalone have created a special five-course Fright Night tasting menu featuring such items as Monster Maitake Mushrooms, Hatchet Chop of Venison, and the Devil's Chocolate Crunch Bar. Dinner is $85 per person or $135 per person with wine pairings and reservations are suggested
Eat Popcorn to Raise Money for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Virginia B. Wood
Tue Oct 28, 4:29pm
, 2008
Tags: Benefit
Business partners Nikki Dugas and Nadia Elhaj, owner of Cornucopia Popcorn Creations (1914 Guadalupe, Suite B, 477-2676, will culminate a month-long fund drive with a benefit party at their store on Wednesday, Oct. 29th. at 6pm. The party will include complimentary pink cocktails, popcorn samples, and a screening of the irreverent and life-affirming documentary Crazy Sexy Cancer. Proceeds from the sale of all five pink popcorn flavors and the specially-made pairs of breast cancer awareness popcorn balls will benefit the Komen organization. In addition, guests will receive breast self-examination pamphlets and key chains decorated with various sized marbles (to help women in detecting and describing potential tumors)provided by the Austin affiliate of the Susan G. Komen organization.
