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.

The Austin Food community is my favorite place.

While we absolutely have some amazing chefs and artisans in our town, and we’re blessed with so many organizations that are passionate about good food and overcoming the hunger crisis, I personally believe that the greatest thing about the food producers, crafts people, chefs, media, and bloggers in our town is the strong community we’ve formed over the years. As the Austin food scene has skyrocketed into the national spotlight, it would have been very easy for the community to splinter and individuals to focus only on what’s best for them. Instead, we’ve taken the more difficult path, working daily to keep our bonds strong and our support for one another unscathed by the new phase in our food culture’s development. While we’ve had our growing pains, the same underlying commitment to community that makes us unique has kept us together.

I couldn’t be more humbled to have the opportunity be part of Austin’s food community. It has changed my outlook on food, family, friendship, wellbeing, and human connections.

And now, true to our roots, the Austin food community is coming together to take care of one of its own. In the spirit of Austin Bakes for Japan, when we turned our sights across the globe to help those we didn’t know but knew were in need, we are circling our wagons in support of Daniel Curtis, the Associate Director of Food and Beverage at The Carillon. Daniel’s life was forever changed by a driving accident and while he is attacking his recovery with the same energy with which he approached his profession, the medical bills are piling up and he now needs the assistance of our community.

The chefs we know and love from the best restaurants in town are coming together on July 13 at 6:30pm to honor Daniel and offer their food, creativity, and passion to all of us in return for donations to help Daniel. Josh Watkins of The Carillon, David Bull of Second Bar + Kitchen, Shawn Cirkel of Parkside, Shane Stark of Kenichi, and Paul Qui of Uchiko will cook together in an event we’ll most likely never see again. The Tipsy Texans will bring their mixology skills to the bar and Austin Cake Ball and Kohana Coffee with compliment the dinner created by this amazing lineup of chefs. The Derailers will provide the soundtrack and the lovely AT&T Conference Center the venue.

While I could focus on how amazing this event will be (and it WILL be), what’s more important in the end is what this event demonstrates about the power of community and food to connect and sustain us throughout the ups and downs of life. While I know the menu will be memorable, I expect the visceral power of a community coming together to help heal will be unforgettable.

Tickets for the event are $75, and VIP tickets are $150. If you can’t make the event but want to contribute to Daniel’s recovery and the power of the Austin food community, you can donate in any amount or help spread the word about the event. Together we can make a difference for Daniel.

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  Image provided by ASTI

  ASTI Lobster Fest (July 7-9) – ASTI has procured 350 pounds of live Main lobsters(which is less than you think once the shell is gone), and chef Jason Donoho has pulled out all the stops to put together a special three-course family style dinner menu. There’s lobster and corn risotto which promises to be creamy and just a little bit sweet. Lobster Fra Diavolo will be the risotto’s foil, offering a spicy balance. Classic summer flavors of tomato and mozzarella salad as well as strawberry-watermelon granita bookend the lobster dishes to round out a wonderful summer meal. $60/person. Call 451.1218 and be sure to tell them you are all in for the lobster.

• TRIO Davis Cup Wine Special (July 8-10) – The US and Spain are battling it out at the Davis Cup quarterfinals at the Frank Erwin Center this coming weekend. I’m pretty sure the players are forever grateful for the indoor venue given the current state of our weather. In the true competitive spirit of the event, TRIO Austin is hosting a special wine promotion pitting the wines of Spain against those from the US. For each match of the Davis cup, sommelier extraordinaire Mark Sayre will select one Spanish wine and one domestic wine. After all matches have been played for the day, the wine(s) from the winning country will be declared the winner and priced at 50% off for the remainder of the evening. What a fun way to experience a new wine (or two, or three) and get into the spirit of the Davis Cup.

Just quickly, before I send you on your way to enjoy these events and more, two quick reminders:

• Are you a fan of the Austin Food Lovers’ Companion on Facebook? If not, take a second and give the page a like to keep up with even more fun food and wine events.
• Voting for the Austin Chronicle’s Best of Austin is open through Monday, July 18. If you’re so inclined, I’d love a vote for Fete and Feast, the “parent” blog of Austin Food Lovers’ Companion.

• Central Market’s Burger Revolution (June 22 – July 5). We grill pretty much year round in Austin; it’s one of the many benefits of living in Central Texas. Even so, we’re not immune to the desire for a great that summer seems to spark. To help make our summer burger adventures that much more exciting and interesting, Central Market is encouraging us to rethink the classic burger with special recipes, prices, and cooking classes. Move beyond beef patties to lamb, turkey, and salmon. Try a bagel or ciabatta roll in place of a bun. The possibilities are endless. And Central Market isn’t stopping with the food side of the equation. You can learn to pair your burgers with Bordeaux wines to really shake up your picnic or al fresco dinner.
• TRIBEZA Chef’s Table Series (June 27 – 29). Take a break from your own kitchen and treat yourself to a special dining experience you can’t replicate any other time of year. The TRIBEZA Chef’s Table Series will not only feature special menus featuring ingredients from the summer’s local bounty, but the chefs will join you at the dinner table to discuss the passions and perspectives. Once you’ve spent time with a chef you’ll never think about their food in the same way again. TRIBEZA has done a nice job recruiting some of Austin’s best chefs for these dinners including Todd Duplechan of TRIO, Ned Elliot of Foreign and Domestic, and Shawn Cirkiel of Parkside. Dinner prices range from $70 to $100 per person with optional wine pairings available. If you’re looking to treat for yourself or someone special this month, you can’t go wrong with these dinners.

  Beyond these two event series, there are several other great events on tap this month. Be sure to visit the Austin Food Lovers’ Companion Facebook page for regular updates on upcoming events.

This is a very good thing (unlike say the pending arrival of the British back in the day) for the city of Austin in general and Austin Food Lovers in particular. The International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) is hosting their annual conference in Austin June 1-4. Culinary experts from around the world will descend on Austin to not only learn from one another but to explore the epicurean goodness that is our town. Some of the biggest names in food including John Besh, Diana Kennedy, and Ellie Krieger will be knocking around town, as will Austin’s own food photog extraordinaire Penny De Los Santos. And while the majority of the conference events are for attendees only, a handful of activities are open to the public:

• Culinary Book Fair – Come meet your favorite cookbook authors and shop for a few new additions to your cookbook collection. From grilled cheese to casseroles to Jacques Pepin’s fast food there’s a cookbook here for everyone. $10/person. Friday, June 3, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm at the Hilton Austin Hotel.
• Culinary Expo – Get a feel for the latest innovations in food preparation and ingredients as you watch special chef demonstrations. Your ticket to the expo includes access to the book fair as well, so it’s a great deal. $35/person. Friday, June 3, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm also at the Hilton Austin Hotel.
• Up in Smoke – IACP is partnering with Texas Foodways to throw a Texas-style shindig at Boggy Creek Farm. Enjoy BBQ with all the sides, craft beer, Texas wine, cocktails, and of course live music. All the proceeds from the event benefit the Sustainable Food Center. $65/person. Saturday, June 4, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm.

You can purchase tickets to all of these events online.

Some other related events that give the public a chance to connect with IACP attendees and celebrate the best of Austin food include:

• Chefs Move to Schools at the Texas State Capital – In celebration of the one year anniversary of Michelle Obama’s Chef’s Move to Schools event at the White House, local chefs, food professionals, and culinary students will join IACP members on the steps of the Texas Capital. Come and show your support for the fight against childhood obesity. Free. Wednesday, June 1. 5:30 pm.
• Three Hot Chefs – Austin’s Tyson Cole of Uchi and Uchiko will host Holly Smith of Kirkland, Washington’s Café Juanita and Brad Farmerie of New York’s Public for an evening of amazing food at the lovely Hotel St. Cecilia. This is one of those once in a lifetime experiences that is worth considering as a splurge. Proceeds will benefit the Culinary Trust, the charitable arm of IACP. $135/person. Wednesday, June 1, 8:00 pm – 10:30 pm. Purchase tickets online.
• Harvard Common Press Meet & Greet – Come meet the publisher and enjoy food and drinks from El Naranjo. You’ll have to pick up a wristband at the IACP Culinary Book fair earlier in the day, but if you’re interested in talking with a book publisher it’s well worth the price of admission.
• Peace Through Pie Fundraising Social – Kick-off Austin’s June 19th celebrations while you raise funds to restore the 115-year-old historic landmark Limerick-Frazier House as a community gathering place. You’ll be supporting future culinary exhibits, cooking classes for adults and kids, and organic gardens will be held.There will be sweet and savory pies on hand as well as ice cream, lemonade, and more. Suggested donation is $25/person. Saturday, June 4. 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm.
• Edible Texas Wine and Food Match – Five of the Austin area’s best chefs will compete against each other in this wine and food pairing competition. Each chef will prepare a three-course menu featuring local, seasonal ingredients to compliment wines from around Texas. They’ll be judged by five heavy-hitters from the food world including Jacques Pépin, world-renowned chef, television celebrity, cookbook author and culinary educator; Francois Dionot, founder and director of L’Academie de Cuisine; John Besh, chef, restaurateur, cookbook author and television personality; Michael Bauer, executive food and wine editor for the San Francisco Chronicle; and Paula Lambert, cookbook author and founder of The Mozzarella Company. This event will be a great way to take a tasting tour of the creative genius of some of the area’s most interesting chefs along with the best ingredients and wine from Texas. This event will benefit the launched non-profit Center for Wine and the Culinary Arts in Fredericksburg. $100/person. Friday, June 3, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm at the AT&T Conference Center. Buy tickets online.
• Book Dinner with Hank Shaw – Hank is a food blogger turned book author as well as an IACP award winner, and he’ll be at FINO on Sunday, June 5 to sign copies of his book Hunt, Gather, Cook. Chef Jason Donoho will make a special dinner inspired by Hank’s cookbook. I’m a big fan of Hank’s and along with being a great cook and writer with a passion for hunting and gathering, he’s a really great guy that you’ll enjoy meeting. I highly recommend this activity as a way to end your week. $50/person ($80/wine pairings). Call 512.474.2905 to reserve.

In the interests of full disclosure, I should mention that I’m the social media chair for the host committee so I have a vested interest in all of Austin coming together to show the IACP attendees just how incredible our town is, so I hope some of my local readers will be able to make it to some of these events. The opportunities to connect with food professionals and passionists alike will be extensive so there’s something in it for everyone.

If you’re a local food professional interested in attending IACP, you can register onsite for the conference starting on June 1. You can buy a pass for the entire conference or passes for individual days.

As a side note, my food blogger friends Rachel and Logan of Boots in the Oven are touring the globe right at this very moment and sharing all of their adventures on their blog. Like me, you can live vicariously through them and their exceptional taste buds. Who knows, you might even find your next vacation destination through their writings.

While I may not be packing my bags for exotic destinations any time soon, with the help of the fine folks at Central Market, I can get a taste for the flavors and traditions of foreign lands right here at home in Austin, Texas. Building on last year’s wildly successful Passport Argentina, Central Market is in the midst of bringing Spain to Texas with Passport Spain. Running through May 24, this event highlights all of the epicurean delights Spain has to offer, from unique ingredients like seafood, citrus, artisan cheeses, and Jamon made from Iberico pigs to craft beers and Spanish vino like Rioja red wines and cava sparklers. Events and cooking classes show you how to make the most of these delights and offer a unique opportunity to interact with artisans and chefs from Spain.

For a first-hand look at the fun Central Market is already having in their stores with Passport Spain, browse their Facebook photo album.

While there’s something tasty and fun happening every day at both the North Lamar and Westgate Central Market locations, these few stood out to me as some of the most interesting:

• Ongoing: Daily Tapas Bar (Westgate)
  Explore tapas, the traditional small bites of Spain, along with Spanish artisanal cheeses and charcuterie, all served with Spanish wine and beer selections. Paella will be served nightly from 6:00 – 8:00 and winemakers from around Spain will stop by to share their knowledge and passions. What a great way to spend a lunch hour or evening and break out of your same ol’ routine. Open daily from noon to 9:00 pm.
• Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22: Spanish Street Food Tent (Westgate)
  The Westgate store is turning their front patio in to an outdoor celebration of Spanish music, dancing, wine, and food. From 6-8 watch chefs prepare paella live and then wander over to the tapas bar for nibbles and sips. Noon to 9:00 pm.
• Saturday, May 21: Traditional and Modern Spanish Cuisine Cooking Class (North Lamar)
  I think this class will offer a true survey of the Spanish food and its influence on American cuisine that would be hard to experience in just about any other setting. The menu includes rabbit, a terrine of pig’s feet, and roasted chicken and each course will be paired with Spanish wines. I had New Year’s Eve dinner at Chef Dianiel Olivella’s B44 in San Francisco and it was truly a memorable meal. I expect his contributions to this class will be well-matched by his companion chefs. 6:30 – 9:00 pm. $75.

Of course you can expect displays and tastings all around both stores, so be sure you stop by before the event is over – I’m sure you’ll discover a new ingredient, technique, or wine to expand your culinary horizons.

Anyway, my obsession with this particular Paso Robles wine maker aside, I was very excited when I found out that Austin Hope was teaming up with local favorite Jack Allen’s Kitchen for a five course wine dinner on Tuesday, May 3 at 7:00 pm. The menu includes Texas-inspired favorites like spicy shrimp and strawberry salad, seared scallop and pork belly (yes please!), chile-crusted quail, Wygu beef shortribs, and an acho chile chocolate bomb. What I love about this menu is that is creates the opportunity for guests to experience a wide-range of Austin Hope’s wines including Candor Rose, Treana White, Austin Hope Grenache, Treana Red, and Austin Hope Syrah.

This dinner will be a wonderful opportunity to get to know a wine maker and his wines in a way you can’t typically by tasting a single bottle or two from a portfolio. You’ll also get to meet the winemaker and get a glimpse into his passion for wine. Austin Hope has been a good friend of the Austin food and wine scene (I can’t help but think his first name isn’t a coincidence), and his wines pair beautifully with our favorite styles of foods, so this is a winemaker you want to know. Take a few hours out of your Tuesday evening to join Jack in welcoming Austin as you enjoy the culinary magic they make together.

E-mail banquets@jackallenskitchen.com or call 512.745.4713 to reserve.

In the tradition of Iron Chef and Chopped, the Keeper Collection Under Fire series puts experts’ feet to the fire and you get to watch the fun. Last year they put up-and-coming chefs from around the state to the test and now they’ve turned their attention to sommeliers with Somms Under Fire. On Sunday evening, May 1, at the W Austin,
contestants Scott Barber, Chris McFall, and June Rodil will test their food and wine pairing skills before a panel of judges that includes wine and food experts alike. Their tastes will be questioned and their methods put to the test. They’ll sweat while you watch.

All of the VIP tickets to this event are sold out (curses!) but a few general admission spots are still available. You’ll not only enjoy the competition but you’ll be able to taste the wines featured in the competition and nosh on tasty nibbles from Trace which are worth the price of admission all by themselves. At a reasonable $35, this is a fun way to spend an evening. Get to the W early to enjoy a drink in one of their Living Room bars – the red room is my personal favorite – and enjoy the people watching before the competition heats up.

Purchase tickets online.

Surprisingly, despite my best efforts, I have yet to locate a time turner so adding more hours into the day to support the new endeavors isn’t a practical possibility. As I add the hat of “time hunter” to my collection I’ve found that you can find free bits and pieces of time in a lot of places. And of course, modern mobile technology makes working while waiting for an even to start or during a kidlet’s dance practice a complete practical possibility, so I’ve become the queen of the well-tended calendar. And finally, I’ve learned to make some compromises and even – gasp—say no to a thing here and there.

Foodie Bits is one of those things.

In the last couple of weeks my all-encompassing Foodie Bits post has fallen by the wayside because cultivating it is a time-intensive labor of love. I don’t want to abandon it entirely though because I know it’s one of the only resources of its kind and there are so many great food and wine events in our town. As a compromise for the next few months I’m going to put the full event listing on hold and instead use my time to focus events I’d usually put in the spotlight. I’ll also highlight other great lists of events around town like the Austin Chronicle Event Menu and Central Market Cooking School calendar so you can keep tabs on your favorite venues.

I fully expect Foodie Bits to return in September or so as we gear up for the fall eating season. In the mean time, be sure to like Austin Food Lovers’ Companion on Facebook as I’m planning to share events there several times a week as they come to my inbox.

Take a Trip to Sugar Land to Watch Austin Chefs Show Their Stuff

It’s been what, almost a month, since our own wine and food festival ended. You’ve had plenty of spring vegetables from the market and enjoyed a turn or two around Lady Bird Lake in our lovely weather, right? Then you’re ready to put on your stretchy eating pants and hit another food festival. Just a few hours down the road in Sugar Land, The Grand Wine and Food Affair brings together over 100 wineries and chefs in a series of events that allow you to expand your wine and food horizons while making some new friends of fellow Texans who enjoy epicurean adventures as much as you do. From April 27 – May 1 they have a great list of experiences queued up, but the ones that really stand out to me as must-visit are:

• Dinning in the Heart of Sugar Land: I’m a hug fan (verging on the edge of stalking if I’m being honest) of Austin Hope who has selected the wines for this seated dinner so I can guarantee you the wine at this event will be fantastic. The menu will feature creations from chefs around Houston, including Chef Randy Evans of Haven who participated in our Hill Country Wine and Food Festival and impressed so many of us that we’re talking about a special road trip to Houston just to visit his restaurant.
• The Grand Tasting: Austin’s own Chef Josh Watkins of The Carillon, Chef Jonathan Gelman of The Driskill Hotel, and Chef Kevin Williamson of Ranch 616 will participate in this Texas-size tasting. If you’ve wanted to get a feel for the Houston food scene, this is a great way to get to know the chefs and make plans for future visits to Houston.
• The Bistro Brunch: For a more casual experience, stroll around the Sugar Land Town Square while you enjoy wine and food with international flair. This looks like a great event to attend with friends. Road trip anyone?

A food and wine festival is a fun way to get to know a town’s food culture from all points of view: chefs, wine makers, and enthusiasts. If you make the trip to Sugar Land please report back and share your experiences in the comments. We’d love to hear all about your fun!

Whoa – let’s put on some breaks there.

I’m pretty sure this endless list of great food and drink opportunities is a quality problem that we’re lucky to have. Rather than be overwhelmed, consider the collection of upcoming epicurean delights to be a menu at your favorite restaurant that you can sample as your stomach and wallet allow. There are also plenty of opportunities to give back to Austin and the world along the way, so we can truly do good while eating well.

In the Spotlight

The Hill Country Wine and Food Festival kicks-off in less than a week and some events are already sold out. This year’s events promise to be outstanding so if you haven’t purchased your tickets yet, I’d get on that before the weekend is over. I published a guide to the festival last week that can help you choose your events if you’re still undecided. For a bit of pre-festival fun, Whole Foods Market and Twin Liquors will be holding a trio of tastings that highlight the wine and spirits featured during festival events and a chance to enter to win free tickets to the festival. Be sure to stop by one (or more) of these fun tastes of what’s to come:

• March 25, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Spirits tasting at Twin Liquors Hancock
• March 26, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Wine tasting at Whole Foods Market Flagship and Gateway stores featuring Robert Mondavi and Ruffino wines
• March 27, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Spirits tasting at Whole Foods Market Flagship and Gateway stores featuring Don Miguel Gascon

On April 2 Austin food enthusiasts, bloggers, and more will come together for a city-wide bake sale to benefit those impacted by the devastating earthquake in Japan. You can stop by one of five locations around town to purchase a tasty treat (or two or three). If you want to do more than nibble and nosh you can become a partner or volunteer. You can donate directly to AmeriCares on behalf of the bake sale. It’s evens like this that make me proud to be a food lover in Austin. I hope you’ll participate and donate next week.

Be Spontaneous – Events in the Next Seven Days

• Through March 29: Central Market Eat the Heat Festival –In storewide soirees dedicated to the joy of spice, Central Market is featuring spicy products like salsas, olives, and chips along with freshly prepared foods like habanero orange pork tenderloin and jalapeno bread. A perfect companion to the al fresco dining our current weather is affording up, this celebration of all things spicy is a fun addition to your weekly grocery trip.
• March 26: Beer & Cheese Class – Learn the nuances of enjoying these two boon companions in the latest offering at the NXNW Brewery Beer School. Start the class with a tour of their brewery then sit down to find out how to select the best combinations of beer and cheese. $35/person. 11:00 am. Call 512.4676969 to reserve.
• March 26: French Wine Tasting – There’s much being made in the wine word of the 2009 vintage of French wines. Stop by the Austin Wine Merchant on Saturday to taste some of their favorites and decide for yourself if 2009 was a truly great year for French wine. Free. 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm.
• March 26: Urban Roots Farm Tour and Work Day – Join Slow Food Austin and local food enthusiasts to help work a local farm for half of a day. You’ll leave with a bag of fresh vegetables and the great feeling that comes from making a difference in local food. $20/person donation. 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. Purchase tickets online.
• March 27: Whole Chicken Class – You can turn the humble chicken into a lovely and budget-friendly dinner with a little know-how. Learn how to break down a chicken like a pro then how to turn it into chicken sausages, stock, pate, and more. You’ll never look at a chicken the same way again. $85/person. 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Reserve online.
• March 27: Uchi Cookbook Signing – Nationally acclaimed Chef Tyson Cole has written his first cookbook which has, not surprisingly, also earned national acclaim. Attend this free book singing at the Central Market Cooking School (copies are available for purchase in the cooking school) and have a chance to ask Chef Cole your questions, get his John Hancock on your cookbook, and enjoy music by the Kevin McKinney Group. 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm with music to follow from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm.
• March 27: Asti Be An Artist Benefit – Enjoy a wine and a three course dinner accompanied by performances from Darden Smith and Sahara Smith at you contribute to a good cause. What a better way to spend a Sunday evening? $75/person. 6:00 pm. Buy tickets online.
• March 30: Tablas Creek Wine Tasting – Take your taste buds on a tour of Paso Robles, one of California’s hottest wine making regions, during this tasting at the Austin Wine Merchant. Free. 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm.
• March 31: Chef Showdown IV – Enjoy the fruits of the culinary labors of chefs from Fleming’s, Trace, and Southwest Bistro while supporting the Central Texas Make a Wish Foundation. In this Top Chef style throwdown local chefs will use locally grown ingredients to make dishes served during that evening’s dinner service. The ticket price includes wine pairings. $100/person. 7:00 pm. Reserve at opentable.com or call 512.480.2035

Plan Ahead – Events in the Next Month

• April 2-3: Art City Austin Café and Bistro – 2^nd Street District. 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Saturday, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm Sunday.
• April 5: Jack Allen’s Patron Paired Dinner – $65/person. 7:00 pm.
• April 9: Bicycle Thieves Screening and Dinner MS150 Benefit – $75/person. 8:00 pm.
• April 9: Sand Creek Farm Tour and Lunch at Monument Café – $24/person. 11:00 am – 3:30 pm.
• April 10: Sustainable Food Center Spring Dinner – $125/person. La Condesa. 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm.
• April 10 – 13 and 17-20: Austin Restaurant Week
• April 13: Teens in the Kitchen Grilled Pizza Workshop – $60/person. 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm.
• April 13: Thirsty Girl Live Tasting – $30/person. Parkside. 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm.
• April 15: How Italian Food Conquered the World Book Signing and Tasting — $50/person (includes a copy of the book). 5:30 pm -7:30 pm.
• April 16: Wine and Food Foundation Rare and Fine Wine Auction — $250/person. Four Seasons. 6:00 pm.
• April 17: Whole Lamb Butchery Class – $140/person. 1:00 pm -3:00 pm. Reserve online.