The final count is in and the great news is that Austin’s Share Our Strength Taste of the Nation dinner and silent auction raised $50,000 to fight hunger. Beneficiaries of this year’s funds are Caritas and the Sustainable Food Center. Kudos to organizer David Garrido and the host committee, participating chefs, servers, restaurants and purveyors, chair and platter artists, underwriters and donors whose contributions made it possible for 100% of the proceeds from the event to be used directly for hunger relief. The dinner was more than an enjoyable meal — a light, elegant spring menu complemented with well-chosen wines — it was a textbook example of positive, savvy fundraising where win-win community partnerships demonstrate the strength in sharing. Congratulations on a job well done. And the accolades just don’t stop there. U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett was in South Austin May 2 to award AISD Superintendent James Fox with the unprecedented third President’s Environmental Youth Award won by Becker Elementary’s Green Classroom. The Green Classroom, a non-profit environmental education center under the direction of Carla Marshall and Christine Kelly, was also recently recognized by the Renew America Foundation for its success in teaching primarily Hispanic, underprivileged children through community-based environmental action projects. Over 100 people attended the awards ceremony in the large organic garden at the Green Classroom. Afterward, 14 local chefs presented a delightful buffet complemented by a festive punch created by author/herb expert Lucinda Hutson. Hutson put in some volunteer time at the Green Classroom this spring consulting in the design of the world herb garden, pizza herb garden, and rainbow herb garden that are now stopping traffic in the Becker Elementary neighborhood at 1701 Briar.
The Travis County Farmer’s Market (6701 Burnet Rd, 454-1002) celebrates their grand re-opening this Saturday, May 10, 8am-6pm. Central Texas farmers will officially kick off the 1997 season selling fresh produce, herbs, and flowers. Visitors will enjoy live music and can sample the comestibles from market tenants Sweetie Pies Bakery, the Farmer’s Market Tamale & Tortilla Factory, Bischoff’s BBQ World Headquarters, Cocinito de Lucero, and Celia’s Tacos. Between bites there’ll be shopping opportunities at the antique stores, gift shop, and plant nursery, and a knife sharpening expert will be available. According to Market Master Hill Rylander, members of the Texas Organic Grower’s Assn. (TOGA) have been invited to return to the Travis County market facility where they will be grouped together and advertised as certified organic growers. Preliminary response has been positive; there should be plenty of organic produce this weekend.
If you can’t give Mom a spring-time trip to Paris, a special brunch at Jean-Luc’s French Bistro (Seventh & Colorado, 494-0033) could be the next best thing. Chef/owner Jean-Luc Salles has created a three course prix fixe menu ($25.95 for adults, $10.95 for kids) featuring choices like Asparagus Primavera, Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict, Chicken Roulade with local chevre, Pear Vacherin, and Strawberry Napoleon that Moms are bound to savor. Mom doesn’t want to go out? With a little advance notice, the chefs at Bon Fresh Food Market (3801 Bee Caves Rd., 327-3801) will whip up a Mother’s Day brunch for four ($34.99) with a fritatta, fruits, breakfast pastries and juices; or a Mother’s Day dinner for four ($40 to $60) including Beef Wellington, Stuffed Salmon or Cornish Game Hens, plus two side dishes and dessert.
This article appears in May 9 • 1997 and May 9 • 1997 (Cover).