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…