Austin Way Magazine - GreenGale Publishing - There is a place beyond the crowds, beyond the ropes, where dreams are realized and success is celebrated. You are invited.
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/666142
photography provided by austin Food and Wine 1. Party Like it's 1886! Austin's idyllic hotel icon, The Driskill, has teamed up with Napa Valley's beloved Trefethen Family Vineyards to celebrate a shared 130-year anniversary by way of a lavish six-course dinner and wine pairing two days before the fest officially kicks off. Former Driskill chef David Bull (now of Second Bar + Kitchen) will return for one night to share the stove with current Executive Chef Troy Knapp. "Essentially, we will tell a story of the hotel and its history and will, throughout the meal, create accolades to celebrate moments in time with the dishes that we serve," says Knapp. 6 pm, April 20, at the Driskill Grill; tickets are $300 2. Get Funky with robert randoLPh. Award-winning steel pedal guitarist Robert Randolph will join the city's own Greater Calvary Gospel Choir at the Grand Tasting Pavilion for a Sunday gospel brunch to help repent the sheer gluttony of the weekend. "It will start the day off with good, positive vibes in the perfect setting," Randolph promises. "Sunday morning after everyone is hung over, we'll give them a little gospel." April 24; included in Weekender and All-In badges 3. haPPy hour 2.0. Kick off the weekend at The Madison with Austin's It boys of mixology, Justin Lavenue and Dennis Gobis of Roose- velt Room fame, who will shake up inventive libations with bites from The Peached Tortilla's Eric Silverstein. 6 pm, April 22, $75 (sold out) 4. new aLL-star Faces. Aarón Sánchez, Marc Vetri, and Amanda Freitag are just some of the new national names attending this year. Crowd-pleasers like the always boisterous Andrew Zimmern and God of Grilling (and fest cofounder) Tim Love return. Zimmern's pro tip? "Drink a lot of water, carry extra napkins, and most importantly, talk to all of the strangers, because one of them is very likely a famous musician." 5. a truLy heated comPetition. At the eagerly anticipated Rock Your Taco showdown, Chef Love will defend his title from some hungry competi- tors. "As the reigning champ, there is a lot of pressure to come big this year," says Love. "And believe me, we are doing just that!" Spoiler alerts: From Chef Hugh Acheson, expect a "taco of the sea, but of the octopus variety." Hometown favorite Tyson Cole is a past two-time winner coming in hard for this year's win. He hints that "we make some incredible homemade coffee bacon at Uchiko, and we're thinking of incorporating that in our taco this year." 7–9:30 pm, April 23, at Republic Square Park; included in All-In badges; austinfoodandwinefestival.com . "Drink water, carry extra napkins, anD talk to strangers, because one of them is likely a famous musician." — andrew zimmern AUSTINWAY.com 47