Irene's Harvest Mix includes popcorn, peanuts, potato sticks and dill.
Rodney Strong Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Whiskey Punch made with bourbon, vermouth, orange, lemon, baking spices and ginger beer.
Tequila Grapefruit Punch mixes tarragon and Topo Chico. The mix really packs a PUNCH!
Front: Roasted Mushroom and Herbs on Easy Tiger Baguette. Back: Dungeness Crab and Aioli on Sourdough.
Smoked Lamb Ribs covered in ginger, garlic,cumin, fennel, star anise, ancho, seasame seeds, turmeric, cinnamon and paprika.
Passing out Pigs in a Blanket, made with house-made andouille sausage wrapped in Easy Tiger puff pastry. Served with Brooklyn Lager Mustard.
Wonderful, wonderful cookies made by Pastry Chef Mary Catherine Curren.

Austin Food + Wine Festival is officially underway. On Thursday, January 19th the appetizing annual affair kicked off on the back patio of downtown Austin’s Irene’s, with an exclusive cocktail party featuring chefs Jonathan Waxman and Drew Curren. Wetting whistles for the evening were two tequila and whiskey based punches, along with various wines from Rodney Strong Vineyard’s and brews from the city’s own, Austin Beerworks.

The outside bar and tables were set up with baskets of Irene’s signature Harvest Mix, a comradery of popcorn, peanuts, potato sticks, and sprinkles of dill. Smoky house-made andouille sausage wrapped in Easy Tiger puffed pastry was flaky pig in the blanket goodness, especially when dipped in Brooklyn Lager Mustard. Other notable bites were the vibrant orange pimento cheese, and tongue lingering French onion dip made with caramelized onions and served with Ruffles, duck confit crostata, and a rather tasty mixture of Dungeness crab & aioli on sourdough. Cookies got dibs on dessert for the evening with moist peanut butter, chewy granola and the kitchen sink, a delicious crisp and soft blend of corn flakes, sea salt and chocolate all prepared by Pastry Chef Mary Catherine Curren.

Though last year’s Austin Food + Wine Festival was cancelled due to inclement weather, tickets are currently available for this year’s festival, set to be held April 28-30, at Auditorium Shores and Fair Market. Scheduled events include the Grand Taste, Chef Showcase, Hands-On Grilling, Fire Pit, Feast Under the Stars and Rock Your Taco. New to the festival is Lone Star Nights, an intoxicating evening filled with exotic dishes and signature cocktails made with intrinsic Texas flair. Also new to the festivities this year is cookbook author, and TV personality of Food Network’s Chopped and Chopped Junior, Amanda Freitag. Prepare your palate for a weekend of libations, cooking demonstrations and culinary merriment. TxMb