Food-o-File
How to help the Boggy Creek Farm recover from the November 15 storm, and the latest culinary news in Austin
By Virginia B. Wood, Fri., Nov. 30, 2001
Be a Friend to the Farmhouse Benefit
The historic house at Boggy Creek Farm dates back to the Republic of Texas era and is an invaluable piece of Austin's history. In the course of 150 years, the old homestead has survived Indian attacks, villainous overseers, floods, kitchen fires, and most recently, a tornado, which, on Thursday, Nov. 15, uprooted a 100-year-old pecan tree and smashed it into the house, causing extensive damage. Because of the age of the house, insurance coverage is minimal and will not be enough to cover the costs of necessary restoration expenses. The current stewards of the farm, Larry Butler and Carol Ann Sayle, can use our help. Friends and customers of the farm are getting together to raise money to help with the restoration of the historic farmhouse. The "Be a Friend to the Farmhouse" benefit is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, Dec. 2, from 4-8pm at the Barr Mansion, 10463 Sprinkle Road. Call 926-6907, or check out www.barrmansion.com for directions.
Local restaurants and caterers will provide appetizers, beer, wine, coffee, and tea, and there will be live music from both the Mundi Ensemble and recording artist Kimmie Rhodes. There will also be a silent auction including such items as signed cookbooks, gift baskets, restaurant dinner packages, one-of-a-kind gift items, an overnight stay in a Fredericksburg B&B, and a farmer's market tour and luncheon with Deborah Madison.
At the farmers' request, admittance to the fundraiser will be by donation only. Donation categories are: Nail, $15; Hammer, $20; Ladder, $25; Chainsaw, $35; Carpenter's Helper, $40; Carpenter, $50; Angel, $75 and above. Donations can be made at Boggy Creek Farm, ASTI Trattoria & Wine Bar (43rd & Duval in Hyde Park), or at the door the day of the event. Those who have already volunteered at the farm or donated are invited to join the party!
Bocaditos
The Westlake Farmer's Market (Saturdays 10am-1pm at 4100 Westbank Drive) announces they now have fresh organic tangerines, grapefruits, and lemons from Bay Laxon's Orange Blossom Farm, plus the new fall crop of pecans from area growers. Bella Vista Ranch (3101 Mt. Sharp Road, Wimberley, 512/847-6514) invites you out to taste and purchase olive oil from their first pressing, Thursdays through Saturdays from 11am-4pm. The limited supply of oil is selling fast!... The Austin Foodways Group will hold a winter potluck feast at Red Corral Ranch (www.redcorralranch.com) in Wimberley on Sunday, Dec. 2, at 2:30pm. Call Ken Rubin at 619-3916 or e-mail kmr@i-foodworks.org to make reservations... Chef Enrico Bazzoni of the Italian Culinary Academy for Foreigners (www.icif.com) will give a presentation about the northern Italian cooking school at the Culinary Academy of Austin (2823 Hancock Drive, 451-5743) on Monday, Dec. 3, at 7pm. ICIF offers three- and six-month culinary arts programs in the Piedmont region of Italy with restaurant internships included. Chef Bazzoni is also affiliated with the Omnia-Italia Italian Language School (www.omnia-italia.com) in the village of San Miniato, Tuscany. Omnia-Italia offers a variety of specialized courses in language, culture, cooking, wine, music, film, and archaeology every year. Bazzoni will make a presentation about the school at Siena Ristorante (6203 Capital of Texas Hwy., 349-7667) on Tuesday, Dec. 4, at 6pm. For reservations, call 451-5743... Chef Cameron Scott of the Austin Marriott South (4415 South I-35, 634-2026) will prepare a four-course dinner paired with the outstanding Napa Valley varietals of Folie a Deux Winery on Thursday, Dec. 6. Folie a Deux VP Peter Ellman will be on hand to discuss the wines. Reservations necessary.
