My Tiara Is Ready
It’s no secret I’m a huge fan of Mississippi author Jill Connor Browne‘s Sweet Potato Queen books. When her Big-Ass Cookbook (and Financial Planner) came out earlier this year, I did everything I could to get Central Market and/or BookPeople to invite her here for an appearance. I e-mailed her and promised big fun, great Mexican food, and margaritas, but had no luck. Unbeknownst to me, Brown was invited to appear at two Austin events this fall, a Texas women’s symposium in early October and a speaking engagement at the Lake Austin Spa & Resort this past weekend. Unfortunately, I had to miss them both. However, the hilarious Browne hopes to return to Austin on her next book tour, and I still owe her a party. My tiara is ready.
Plenty o’ News
Austinites who attended the big March of Dimes Star Chefs gala at the Four Seasons a couple of weeks ago had the pleasure of running into former Austin chef Peter O’Brien. The longtime local favorite is now chef de cuisine at Lajitas — the Ultimate Hideout (877/525-4827, www.lajitas.com), a resort in the Big Bend hamlet of Lajitas. According to reports, these days O’Brien spends his time cooking chuckwagon breakfasts over open fires as well as creating the gourmet fare at both the Candelilla Cafe and the Ocotillo restaurant. Winter is the perfect time to visit the Big Bend, so make plans to check it out… And speaking of the Big Bend, Chronicle contributor Rachel Feit has a piece in the new Saveur magazine about her participation in the annual New Year’s Black-Eyed Pea Cook-Off out in those parts, complete with a recipe… Help Opal Divine’s celebrate its first annual WhiskyFest, where they’ll be serving up samples of up to 40 premium whiskeys and assorted appetizers for a mere $25 per person. That’s Thursday, Dec. 4, at 7pm, at Opal’s (700 W. Sixth, 477-3308). Go early, these tastings fill up fast!… Culinary Academy of Austin (2823 Hancock, 451-5743) Director Steve Mannion will get home just in time for Thanksgiving after spending two weeks in the South Pacific aboard the Naval Destroyer USS Hopper. The globe-trotting chef instructor advised the crew members on such culinary topics as nutrition, baking, sanitation, kitchen supervision, and basic culinary skills as part of the Navy’s “Adopt a Ship” program… Local condiment purveyor Alexandra Weeks of TerraSol Foods will be featured in an upcoming segment of TVFN’s Roker on the Road. A crew from the popular show was in town last week, filming Weeks and her line of chile-related condiments… Bereaved friends and co-workers of longtime Austin chef Alan Somers e-mailed me with the sad news that the innovative young man who pleased diners at Kaya Blue, Knuckleheads, and Louie’s 106 was killed in a car wreck on Nov. 19. We extend our condolences to his friends and family.
This article appears in November 28 • 2003.