https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/food/2014-08-15/the-take-out-august-15/

The Take-Out: August 15

By Brandon Watson, August 15, 2014, 3:15pm, On the Range

This week, we're eating brain food.

1) Eye of the Tiger
The Chronicle food team has been busy cramming all week for Slow Food Austin's Grub Trivia. In my case, most of that cramming has been shoving charcuterie into my mouth, but it counts because I was using a copy of Larousse Gastronomique as a makeshift table. Come cheer on Virginia B. Wood, me, and the rest of the food team (dubbed, perhaps dubiously, the Children of the Chron) as we kick some confit for a great cause.

2) Genius Grants
The Austin Food and Wine Alliance is searching for applicants for their 2014 Culinary Grants Program. $30,000 is up for grabs to support Central Texas' best and brightest chefs, farmers, brewmasters, artisans, nonprofits, and other folks who make Austin a unique incubator of culinary innovation. Applications will be accepted August 20 through October 1.

3) Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'
Hops and Grain founder Josh Hare will be riding his bike 1400 miles to raise funds for prostate health. The least you can do is chalk up $30 to support him and his mission. This Sunday, the brewery is celebrating bikes and beer with a social ride, a raffle, and some very sweet swag. Your ticket gets you a a custom printed pint glass, kookie, and t-shirt – plus five tickets to sample all of H & G's best.

4) Case of the Mondays
Monday doesn't just suck because it is the beginning of the week. It also blows because some of the town's best dining spots take the night off. And while we don't begrudge food professionals the day off, we are thrilled to hear that Barley Swine will be reopening for Monday service starting September 1. As an added bonus, industry folks will get half off their beer and wine on Monday's throughout the month.

5) Where There's Smoke
Evan LeRoy, executive chef and pit master over at Freedmen's Bar, tells us that next week's 3X3 dinner will be a little bit different. Instead of pairing cocktails, they are partnering with Austin Beerworks for a celebration of smoke. The menu will feature a smoked summer squash and goat cheese raviolo, Black Thunder beer and coffee smoke-braised lamb, and a frozen custard made with Gold Fist and topped with smoked berry jam and beer caramel. The meal is a bargain at $36 (includes gratuity).

6) Summer of Rum
To celebrate National Rum Day, the devotees at Pleasant Storage Room will be opening at 4pm this Saturday. There will be great specials on Haitian rums, plus a portion of the proceeds will go to ESPEROS, a local backpack-maker who helped fund school tuition for Central American children.