Event Menu

Communities in Schools Central Texas hosts their 12th annual Food for Thought gala this evening at the Hilton Austin Downtown (Fourth & Trinity). The event includes a grand tasting of signature dishes from some of Austin's best restaurants, a spectacular silent auction, and live Brazilian choro music. Tickets are $75 at the door or at www.cisaustin.org. Thursday, Oct. 4, 6-9pm.

The 21st annual Gruene Music and Wine Festival offers the opportunity to enjoy great Texas music along with great Texas wines in the charming setting of the Gruene Historic District near New Braunfels. The event commences with a meet-and-greet with Texas roadhouse bluesman Delbert McClinton on Friday evening at Gruene Hall and continues on Saturday afternoon with more than 30 winemakers, craft brewers, and food artisans gathered at the Grapevine for Texas Tastings & Tunes. Sunday's finale is an all-day party at Texas' oldest dance hall. The event benefits the United Way of Comal County. For detailed schedule information and ticket prices, go to www.gruenemusicandwinefest.org. Friday, Oct. 5, 5:45pm, through Sunday, Oct. 7, 10pm.

The 37th annual Ladies State Chili Championship of Texas will take place Saturday outside of Blanco. Events will include a Girly Man beauty contest, a horseshoe-pitching tournament, raffles, silent auction, and crowd-pleasing chili samples. Winners will be announced around 5:30pm, and the evening entertainment begins at 7pm. Admission is free. The cook-off site is at Camp Ranger (2778 RR 32, three miles east of Texas Highway 281 in Blanco). For more information, call Susie Higgins at 512/396-4456 or Becky Fox 512/327-3111. Saturday, Oct. 6, 11am-11pm.

Drop by the Loft Bar at Finn & Porter in the Hilton Downtown to meet award-winning Hilton mixologist Mindy Kucan and try her Hot Summer Night cocktail featuring Texas ingredients. The entire Hilton specialty-drink menu will be introduced by celebrity mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim. Enjoy half-priced appetizers and local music from Steven Doster, Will Sexton, and Bill Carter. Monday, Oct. 8, 6-9pm.

The Austin Film Festival invites you to the fifth annual Film & Food Party to benefit their Young Filmmakers Program at the Driskill Hotel (604 Brazos). Relax in cinematically themed lounges like the James Bond Martini Bar, the Lonesome Dove Room, and the Casablanca Smoker's Lounge while bidding on luxurious silent auction items and sampling the distinctive cuisine of some of Austin's finest restaurants. Tickets are $85 and can be purchased by calling 478-4795 or going online to www.austinfilmfestival.com. Wednesday, Oct. 10, 7-10pm.

Hill Country Pasta House (3519 RR 620 N., 266-9445) hosts a three-course Vintner's Dinner featuring the wines of Driftwood Vineyard. Tickets are $50 plus tax, and reservations are required. Thursday, Oct. 11, 7pm.

Don't forget the Big State BBQ Showdown at the Big State Festival in Bryan-College Station, where 50 country and Americana music stars will perform on five stages, and Texas chefs and pit masters will serve up great grub! For tickets, schedules, and details, go to www.bigstatefestival.com. Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 13-14.

The Austin chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier invites you to Eat, Drink, and Experience the culinary magic of eight of Austin's premier women chefs. The event takes place on the campus of the Texas Culinary Academy (11400 Burnet Rd.) and will benefit the Les Dames scholarship fund. Each chef will be given the same ingredients from which to prepare a multicourse meal, and Texas wines will be paired with the food. The evening will also include a silent auction. Reservations are necessary, and $75 tickets can be purchased at the Cook's Store at TCA by calling 992-8433 or by going to www.ldeiaustin.org. Saturday, Oct. 13, 6pm.