Austin is a foodie’s paradise. The city’s vibrant culinary community is fueled by talented chefs, a giving and enthusiastic community, good festival weather, and a love of events. Culinary events fill foodies’ social calendars year-round in addition to restaurant openings and are a great way to meet chefs and try new restaurants. Many are “sip and stroll,” which includes trying samples at each participating restaurant’s booth. Unfortunately, these events also come with a price tag and your bank account can take quite a hit from attending all the available events in Austin. I’ve gathered 15 of the best annual culinary events in Austin, Texas to help you plan your eating and spending.
Events listed in calendar order. Please check websites for most updated information.
Official Drink of Austin
Details: A cocktail competition among some of the hottest bar teams in Austin. A great selection of restaurants serve bites
Location: Changes every year
Date: February
Proceeds Benefit: Austin Food and Wine Alliance’s culinary grant program
Price: $55
Website
Austin Food and Wine Festival
Details: Three-day celebration of food, wine and spirits, featuring Texas’ most celebrated chefs and restaurateurs. Think mingling with chefs, seeing demos and indulging in tasting sessions.
Location: Auditorium Shores
Date: April
Proceeds Benefit: Austin Food and Wine Alliance
Price: $250 or $550 for weekend passes; 3 events can be purchased individually and cost $75-200 each
Website
Live Fire
Details: Selected chefs and restaurants cook their dishes over a live fire
Location: Salt Lick Pavilion
Date: April
Proceeds Benefit: Austin Food and Wine Alliance’s culinary grant program
Price: $85
Website
Umlauf Garden Party
Details: Stroll through the beautiful garden while enjoying bites and drinks.
Location: Umlauf Sculpture Garden
Date: April
Proceeds Benefit: Umlauf Sculpture Garden
Price: $125 or $150
Website
Farm to Plate
Details: More than 25 Austin chefs and restaurants sharing delicious bites at a beautiful venue.
Location: Barr Mansion
Date: May
Proceeds Benefit: Sustainable Food Center
Price: $125
Website
Pay It Forward with Daniel Curtis
Details: Event includes Austin’s top chefs, live music and stellar silent auction.
Location: AT&T Executive Education and Conference
Date: August
Proceeds Benefit: Lone Star Paralysis Foundation
Price: $75 or $125
Website
Eat. Drink. Empower.
Details: Female empowerment! Local female chefs and beverage professional put together an 8-course meal for guests.
Location: Max’s Wine Dive (also the organizer)
Date: August
Proceeds Benefit: SafePlace
Price: $195
Website
Food for Thought
Details: A handful of Austin’s chefs serving samples while celebrating Communities in Schools of Central Texas
Location: Changes every year
Date: September
Proceeds Benefit: Communities in Schools of Central Texas
Price: $250
Website
Tour de Vin
Details: This event gives guests the opportunity to try different wine styles, varieties and regions. Five chefs come to prepare special bites for guests.
Location: Changes every year
Date: September
Proceeds Benefit: The Wine and Food Foundation of Texas Scholarships; local food non-profits
Price: $45 or $70
Website
March of Dimes Signature Chefs
Details: This fancy event features cuisine by a list of chefs curated by Chef David Bull and a lively auction for exclusive chef experiences.
Location: Changes every year
Date: September
Proceeds Benefit: March of Dimes
Price: $350
Website
La Dolce Vita
Details: Savory, sweet, wines, coffee, cocktails. This event probably has the largest number of participating vendors.
Date: October
Location: Laguna Gloria
Proceeds Benefit: The Contemporary Austin’s educational programs
Price: $200 or $250
Website
Austin Film and Food Fundraising Party
Details: Kicking off the annual Austin Film Festival, this event brings in Austinites and visitors for the festival to enjoy cuisine from Austin’s restaurants.
Location: Driskill Hotel
Date: October
Proceeds Benefit: Austin Film Festival’s Young Filmmakers Program
Price: $100
Website
Big Reds and Bubbles
Details: As the event name reveals, this event focuses on wine, champagne and sparkling wine. Austin chefs participate with cuisine.
Location: Driskill Hotel
Date: November
Proceeds Benefit: The Wine and Food Foundation of Texas Scholarships; local food non-profits
Price: $100 or $150
Website
Wine and Swine
Details: Chefs and restaurants present creative dishes with pork and a healthy number of wineries are also present to share their wines.
Location: Changes every year
Date: November
Proceeds Benefit: Austin Food and Wine Alliance’s culinary grant program
Price: $85
Website
Texas Monthly Barbecue Festival
Details: The only place you’ll be able to taste all of the top 50 BBQ joints on Texas Monthly’s annual list.
Location: City Terrace at the Long Center
Date: November
Proceeds Benefit: Texas Monthly
Price: $80 or $145
Website
What’s your favorite culinary event?
P.S. Try a culinary class in Austin. This post has a few ideas.
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