Austin Foodie Bits ~ Food and Wine Events September 19, 2011 Edition

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After taking a bit of a break this summer Foodie Bits is back and rarin’ to go as the Austin fall festival and event season starts to heat up. Taking a look at the calendar for the next few weeks it looks like we’ll be easing into things which is just fine given that we’re all still a little crispy after surviving the summer.

Kicking things off is the fall edition of Austin Restaurant Week which starts this coming Sunday, September 25, and runs through Wednesday, September 28. And, to be sure we all have time to try eat our full, it continues October 2 – 5.  Participating restaurants are still finalizing their menus so keep an eye on the website and be sure to make reservations at your must-try establishments. The folks behind Restaurant Week have also built an iPhone app that makes it easy to find participating restaurants by a variety of criteria including lunch/brunch/dinner, cuisine, and dietary preferences.

Be Spontaneous: Events in the Next Seven Days

• September 21: Spanish Tapas Bar at Max’s Underground – Duck into the mysterious space beneath Max’s Wine Dive to create your own unique supper from a variety of Spanish-inspired nibbles including artichoke and manchego rice cakes, yellow gazpacho, and citrus and figs marinated in sherry. Sip Spanish wines as you wander the rooms of the Underground. Entry is free. Tapas are $2-5 each and wines available by the glass or the bottle. 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm.
• September 22: An Evening with JP Lacoste – Take your Cajun and Creole cooking to the next level with the Executive Chef of Max’s Wine Dive. Learn to make shrimp and corn bisque, jambalaya, and more. Whole Foods Culinary Center. 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm. $50/person.
• September 24: Texas Craft Brewers Festival – Celebrate Texas’s ever evolving and expanding craft brewing tradition at this day-long festival at Fiesta Gardens. Enjoy the fruits of the brewers, local food and music, and the company of others passionate about Texas craft beer. $20 for a sampling of 8 beers and $70 for a VIP experience. 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Buy tickets online.
• September 24: Kitchen Gadget Expo – Take a pleasant drive out to Lakeway to test drive the latest kitchen gadgets at the Faraday’s Kitchen Store 6th Annual Foodiepalooza. There will be a garnishing demo and many opportunities to play with the best kitchen toys. 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Plan Ahead: Events in the Next Three Weeks

• September 26: Cooking with Beer – Central Market Cooking School; 6:30 pm; $45
• September 29: Balsamic Vinegar and Cheese 101 Class – Con’ Olio Oils and Vinegars; 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm; $40
• September 30 and October 1: Texas Fall Fest and Wine Action – Marble Falls; tickets from $25 – $105
• October 6 – 9: 25th Annual Gruene Music and Wine Festival – Gruene; ticket prices vary
• October 13: La Dolce Vita – Laguna Gloria; $125

I’ve only listed a few of the great cooking classes going on around town. Be sure to check out the full class listings at Whole Foods and Central Market for myriad opportunities to improve your kitchen knowledge just in time for the holiday entertaining season.