Food-o-File

The 2011 International Association of Culinary Professionals conference ended Saturday evening with a delicious Foodways Texas barbecue benefit on the grounds of Boggy Creek Farm. By all reports, the conference was a huge hit with attendees, who enjoyed the fabulous opening reception at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum and the cookbook awards ceremony at the historic Paramount Theatre in addition to four action-packed days and nights of culinary tours, informative seminars, local restaurant meals, and parties. Kudos to Austin conference Chair Toni Tipton-Martin and her entire planning committee for dazzling our guests with some of the best of our local food and drinks, distinctive area venues, and topflight culinary talent – congratulations on a job well done! One of the most popular public events during the conference was the inaugural Edible Tex­as Wine Food Match competition final held at the AT&T Executive Education and Confer­ence Center. Austin chef David Garrido emerged victorious, garnering $5,000 and winning both the judges' and people's choice voting with a three-course menu paired with wines from Fall Creek and Sister Creek vineyards (see the winning menu at www.edibleaustin.com/ediblewandf). The event also raised $10,000 for the new nonprofit Center for Wine & Culinary Arts in Fredericksburg.

Monument Market (500 S. Austin Ave., Georgetown) is the new organic food store from Monument Cafe owner Rusty Winkstern. The market stocks fresh organic produce, cheeses, and dairy products; locally produced artisanal food items; locally milled organic, whole-wheat flour and cornmeal; and locally raised meats and poultry. Also look for fresh breads and desserts created by longtime Aus­tin pastry chef Mark Chapman. Monument Market will celebrate a grand opening on Saturday, June 18, 1-6pm, and will be open daily, 8am-8pm.

Pie man Bud Royer has an innovative way for folks to support American troops fighting in the Middle East: by sending them an authentic slice of home – a Royers Round Top Cafe chocolate-chip pie. Just go to www.operationdesertpie.com to order the Texas Home Slice Pack (two pies for $76, including shipping and handling) or one pie ($41). If you don't already have a specific soldier with an APO/FPO address in mind, Royers will pick a deployed soldier for you. The ordering deadline for July Fourth is Sunday, June 12.

Congratulations to Tina Hellsten, whose 150-word review of Perla's won last week's FOX 7 contest. She and seven guests enjoyed a catered dinner prepared by local private chef Dzintra Dzenis of Plate by Dzintra to coincide with the season debut of MasterChef on FOX 7 last Monday night.

And last but not least, in the off-with-my-head department, I am truly mortified to have left Wheatsville Food Co-op off of a list of Austin grocery stores proudly stocking local artisanal food products. The venerable member-owned store has been an ardent supporter of local products for years, and I apologize for the omission in last week's feature, "Fertile Ground for Foodies."