PHOTOGRAPHY
BY
JOHN
VALLS
(FOOD);
JEFF
STOCKTON
(FRANKLIN)
A SMOKIN'
TIME
BARBECUE MASTER
AARON FRAN LIN IS
CURATING THE NEW
HOT LUCK FESTIVAL—AND
WE CAN'T WAIT!
BY TOM THORNTON
James Beard award-winner
Aaron Franklin isn't one to ruin
a good thing—there's a reason
that Franklin Barbecue has
never expanded. So March's
announcement of the new Hot
Luck food festival May 18–21 at
various venues by Franklin,
Feast Portland co-founder Mike
Thelin, and The Mohawk's
James Moody got our attention.
Over a morning espresso,
Franklin told us what to expect.
Friends and food:
"Moody called this the best
organized tailgate party you've
ever been to. All the chefs were
personally invited by me. We're
not looking for somebody with
a TV show-—we're looking for
the best talent, and the guy who
does the best chicken wings."
Intimate inspiration:
"Our Friday event, the Hi-Lo, is
about core influences. Mine is
my grandmother's pot roast-—
that's what got me into cooking
brisket."
Dressing down: "This is
super laid back. It's the anti-food
festival food festival, because all
are welcome. The chefs will
hand you your food. By nature,
it should feel like Austin."
Into the night: "The idea
for after-shows came from
[Moody's] Fun Fun Fun Fest.
We wanted people to get a
wristband for coming, then use
that to go out later for parties.
There's rock, country, and lots
in between." hotluckfest.com
.
Aaron Franklin
(INSET) is one of
three founders of
the new Hot Luck
Festival, which bills
itself as the
anti-food food
festival.
AUSTINWAY.COM 53
SCENE INFLUENCER
