Austin Foodie Bits ~ Food & Wine Things to Do for the Week of August 16

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So there’s no way around it. It’s hot. Even so, there are plenty of food events in the works this week to give you a way to feed your food lover soul and stay out of the heat. Well, okay, some of them are outdoor events but you’ll appreciate your air conditioner even more when you’re done with your fun. Before I jump into the weeks’ events, I’d like to call your attention to a couple of different events that are worth an extra mention.

Cupcake Smackdown LogoCupcake Smackdown 2.0 is this Saturday and it’s going to be a blast (figuratively and literally). Organized in grand form by local food blogger Jenny Chen, this event will feature an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for eating the most jaffa cakes in one minute as well as an attempt to break the world record for the most people attempting to frost a cupcake at one time. The day will round out with a cupcake cannon (yep, you read that right) and of course cupcake vendors from around town showing off their finest creations. Admission to the event is free but donations are accepted and encouraged, and all proceeds from the event will benefit Lights, Camera, Help, Mobile Loaves and Fishes, and Keep Austin Dog Friendly. I was a judge and a bouncer protecting the cupcakes at last year’s event and I know this year’s will be even better.

Hatch Chile Fest BannerThe Central Market Hatch Chile Festival starts this week! If you follow my posts on Fete & Feast or my tweets, you know I’ve been cooking Hatch green chile like a woman possessed this month. Just this weekend I made green chile pork stew, green chile madelines, and green chile cheese beer bread. Needless to say, I’m beyond excited that the chiles will be given their proper due for almost two full weeks. Stop by either the North or South Lamar locations to taste chile creations, buy prepared chile goodies like burgers and sausages, and of course acquire your own chilies to fuel your own culinary creations.

Be Spontaneous – This Week’s Events

  • August 17: Antonelli’s Cheese Shop Wine and Cheese Conversation – Local cheese experts Kendall an John Antonelli will pair Rosé wines from around the globe with perfect cheese companions. You’ll not only enjoy tasty cheese and wine, you’ll learn all about the cheeses and enjoy some good company. $40/person. FINO 6:00 pm. Call 512.474.2905 to reserve.
  • August 17: Eat, Pray Love Feast – This movie was made for a film and food event. Luckily, we have Alamo Draft house that can host such an event. Enjoy a multi-course feast inspired by the locations featured in the film including baby artichoke pizza, perciatelli Carbonara, prawn curry, and black rice pudding. Perfect for a girls’ night out or a date night. $60/person. Alamo Drafthouse Lake Creek. 7:30 pm. Buy tickets online.
  • August 17: Living Skinny in Fat Genes – Dr. Felicia Stoler is an author, registered dietician, and the host of TLC’s Honey We’re Killing the Kids. She will be previewing her upcoming book, Living Skinny in Fat Genes, during this cooking class while you enjoy a healthy lunch of seared salmon and blueberry and frozen yogurt parfait. $20/person. Central Market North Lamar. 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm. Reserve online.
  • August 18: The Ultimate Garlic Experience – Enjoy a five-course, garlic-infused dinner while you watch Les Blank’s Garlic is as Good as Ten Mother’s and Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe. The event also features beverage pairings for a complete experience. $60/person. Alamo Drafthouse at the Ritz. 7:00 pm. Buy tickets online.
  • August 19: Slow Food Austin Happy Hour – Slow Food Austin is resuming their monthly happy hours at Texas French Bread. Enjoy wine from Ambiente and locally-sourced food from the Wilcott Brothers. Texas French Bread, 2900 Rio Grande Street. Free. 5:00 – 7:00 pm
  • August 19: Health Starts Here Chef’s Table – Whole Foods’ Healthy Eating Specialists Michael Frei and Dan Marek will prepare a vegan meal and you’ll have a chance to discuss the ins-and-outs of healthy eating with others around the table. You’ll also be donating to Whole Foods’ salad bar project to put healthy options in elementary schools. $30/person. Whole Foods Flagship. 6:30 pm. Call 512.476.1206 to reserve.
  • August 21: Austin Bat Fest – The city is shutting down the Congress Avenue Bridge in celebration of our local favorite winged rodent. There will be food, music, and fun for the whole family. Slap on the sunscreen and get the family together for a fun time on the bridge. Free. 1:00 pm – 12:00 am.
  • August 21: Greenling.com Local Tea Party –Greenling and guests are gathering at the Zhi Tea Gallery to indulge in the wisdom (zhi) of tea. It may be August, but thanks to their iced elixirs of organic bliss and the shade of the oak trees, you’ll be nice and cool. Delicious and nutritious dessert heroes Good Pop will be on hand to share their latest frozen treats and Lift Café will also have some yummy bites and wraps from their menu for you to enjoy. Bring a side dish or dessert that uses at least one local ingredient if you’d like, and the dish that gets the most votes wine a free local box. Free. Zhi Tea Gallery. 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm.
  • August 21: Healthy Eating Back to School Bash – Send the kids off to school with a healthy breakfast and a smart lunch with a little help from your friends at Whole Foods. During this free event you’ll get tips and recipes from the experts at Whole Foods so you’ll be able to deftly navigate the aisles to find healthy options and use your finds at home to prepare great food your kids will enjoy. Free. 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm.

Eat Well, Do Good

  • Roaring Fork’s Cocktails for a Cause – The Roaring Fork at Stonelake Blvd is teaming up with KGSR-FM for this special summer promotion designed to raise awareness and funds for three local charities: Capitol Area Food Bank in June, Lone Star Paralysis Foundation in July and Breast Cancer Resource Center in August. Each month Roaring Fork will feature a signature cocktail and everyone who enjoys said cocktail will have the opportunity to enter a raffle for a grand prize given away at the end of each month. The August cocktail is a Guava Strawberry Margarita – tequila, jumex guava nectar, lime juice, and strawberries. Cocktail prices are $8 and $6 during the nightly 4-7 pm happy hour. The donation is part of the purchase and entitles recipients to one raffle entry. The grand prizes include A VIP pass to Blues on the Green, concert tickets and a Roaring Fork gift card.

Plan Ahead – Events in the Next Three Weeks



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