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…
TACOLANDIA 2016 Recap
There was no way I could consume them all. But, damnit if I didn’t try. The second annual Dallas Observer’s TACOLANDIA somehow managed to be better this year. From carnitas and barbecue beef to rabbit and duck, the tacos were a little heftier and the options more varied. Take a glimpse back at some of the bonita shelled beauties from this year’s festival. TXmB
The Return to Foodie Wonderland Part 2
ast Sunday, I got my religion handed to me in the form of fried chicken wings, brisket, beets, a whole lot of different booze and other incredible foods during this year’s Chefs For Farmers Main Event, or what I prefer calling it, Foodie Wonderland. My first stop was one I’d regrettably missed last year called The Biscuit Bar. Here Jeffrey Hobbs and Jake Depew of Slow Bone concocted something life changing called Randall’s Biscuits, fried chicken, and Jason’s Double Secret Probation Gravy. Oh, and it was served with a slice of thick cut peppered bacon, plus you had your choice of dressing those soft baby biscuits with jalapeño jelly, fresh…
Dallas Chocolate Festival 2016 Recap
Getting chocolate wasted isn’t just a cute phrase, it’s a way of life. During this year’s Dallas Chocolate Festival, hundreds of chocolate lovers came together to explore the sweeter side of life. Beginning on Friday night with the red carpet premier of Bean to Bar: A Film About Artisan Chocolate, to Saturday’s Main Event and Sunday’s Hands on Workshops, this year’s festival was truly made for the most dedicated of chocoholics. Check out the highlights from this year’s 7th annual Dallas Chocolate Festival. Warning: The only way to be resuscitated from a chocolate coma is more chocolate. txMB
Park & Palate Returns for Year Two
After a successful first year, the piquant Park & Palate is back for another course. Set to be held on October 21 and 22, this year’s premier fundraising event for Klyde Warren Park will feature over 30 of the region’s most well-known and respected chefs. The culinary extravaganza kicked things off during the Park & Palate Preview on Monday, August 1st at Klyde Warren’s main restaurant, Savor Gastropub. Several star studded chefs were in attendance including Nilton Borges, Jr, Jason Dady, John Tesar, Dean Fearing and Kent Rathbun. During the preview chefs and media tasted and voted on their favorite dessert using wine corks given out upon entering. It may…
So This is What Sustainability Tastes Like
The day that tomato skins are made into storage bins is finally here thanks to Ford Motors. This past Wednesday the popular car company hosted a unique happy hour, with menu items highlighting many of the sustainable materials used throughout their lineup of vehicles. Hosted at the organic Mudhen Meat and Greens, it only made sense that Chef Suki Otsuki be tapped to craft the special menu. Items featured during the mixer were made with soy beans, coconut, wheat, tomatoes and dandelion greens, all of which help in creating different parts Ford vehicles. For example, dandelion greens are currently being researched as a more sustainable resource for rubber that could…
Chef’s for Farmers Mix-Off 2016 Recap
Chef’s for Farmers Cocktail and Sous Chef Mix-Off 2016 Another Chefs for Farmers event, goes off without a hitch. During this year’s Chef’s for Farmers Cocktail and Sous Chef Mix-Off, guests enjoyed creative bites and booze while feasting on the music and views from DEC on Dragon. A savory, soft, pork tongue tamale, made with fresh masa, sweet corn avocado and chiles from Tony Ibarra of Small Brewpub easily won me over. I even managed to shimmy my way back downstairs for a second forking towards the end of the evening. Meanwhile upstairs, Uchi served up a smoking kabob with tender sweetbreads and beef. Sarah Green from the Joule upgraded…
Iron Fork 2016 Recap
Bigger, better and more food than ever, Iron Fork 2016 simply salivated this year. In case you missed it, here’s a look back at this year’s event.
Chefs for Farmers gets Party Going for Kickoff Seafood Boil
Chefs for Farmers knows how to throw a party no matter what. Last year, during the Culinary Village, which is supposed to be an outdoor event, at the last minute they transformed Gilley’s into an epic foodie wonderland with live music. During this year’s 2016 Kickoff Seafood Boil at the Rustic, though there was no rain, they kept with the tradition of extra dance worthy tunes, heaps of food, and mules. Some faces were filled with pure determination as they crushed and cracked whole red crawfish with their hands. Others, slowly slid the shell from large peppery Texas Gulf shrimp, served with asparagus and potatoes from Wayward Sons. Less fully…
A Look Back at SAVOR’s Grand Tasting
By 7:30 PM last Saturday evening, I was actually already full. The luscious venison roll ups from YO Ranch Steakhouse which marries bacon, venison, jalapeno, smoked mozzarella, that’s been grilled and brushed with molasses Dijon was one of the culprits. The next suspect would have to be Five Sixty by Wolfgang Pucks’ tuna tartare. Literally dressed for the occasion, sitting ever so patiently in the crispiest, lightly sweetened miso cone that you ever wanted to see. I took two, but wanted 30. Then there was more venison that needed my attention. This time in the form of a hearty chili, topped with aged white cheddar and chives from The…