Austin Food & Wine Festival back for another year

Speaking of yummy drinks, 15th annual Austin Food and Wine Festival is taking place this weekend. Yeah, that's where we find Libby Farrow, who is filling in for Artiera while she is on maternity leave. Good morning, Libby. What can we expect from this year's festival? Good morning, ladies. We are here at Auditorium Shores for the 15th annual Austin Food and Wine Festival. I've got Tyler here this morning to tell me all about it. Clearly, we're still getting up and going, but it kicks off tomorrow. It does kick off tomorrow. Libby, thank you so much for meeting us down here. Oh my gosh, thank you for having me. It's an amazing morning. Yeah. Yeah, we are celebrating 15 years of Austin Food and Wine Festival this year, which is amazing for us. We're so excited. We've got three days of culinary excellence, and to your point, we are still getting things set up right here behind us down at Auditorium Shores. Now, we've got three... Three days of programming to roll through and we have a lot going on and luckily it's early in the day so you still have time to get a sitter for tomorrow, get the parents to come down and watch the kids and you're going to want to after hearing about our stacked weekend of festivities. Yes, because it's full of some of the best restaurants in Austin. That's right, we've got a ton, we've got a ton and it's not just an opportunity to try some of these different restaurants if you've never made it in before, but it's a great chance to get to talk to chefs, just kind of hear their point of view of what's happening in the culinary space and hear a little bit more about some of these. exciting things that they have on the menu, but we are starting all of this tomorrow evening right across the street at the Long Center Terrace and that is for our kickoff event called Made in Texas. It's a little bit smaller, it's a little bit more intimate, more backyard barbecue styled in terms of how it's set up. Um, but it is what it sounds like. It's homage to all things, Texas. And so some of the chefs that are going to be here on Saturday and Sunday, we'll be doing their own unique take on some iconic Texas dishes. We'll have some live music. We'll have, of course, some beer, wine and cocktails, if that's your thing. Um, but otherwise it's a really, really beautiful way to start the weekend. And then we'll go to sleep, wake up. Fresh early on Saturday and then it's a whole other set of programming and fun to be had. And that's where y'all come in here and flood it with yourselves to eat and drink and have a merry time. Okay. That's happening Saturday, Sunday. So how can people learn more about that, potentially get a ticket if there's still some left? That's a good question. So AustinFoodAndWineFestival.com. Now, I told you this earlier, but we have a lot of different programming, not just trying different food and bites. Saturday and Sunday is what we call our Grand Taste. Within that, we have a lot of different ancillary programming. So people are probably most excited for our Chef Showcase, right? That's where we'll have 50 of top restaurants from across Central Texas, some even Michelin-recognized, including the barbecue. So there's a ton that you can come in and try. We've also curated an extensive list of wines, beers, liquors from regions all across the world that you can also try to. Other than that, we have, of course, our Chef Demo. So that's going to be some big household names like Andrew Zimmern, Esther Choi, Lorena Garcia. We've got Austin's own Amanda Turner. And you can't see it right now because it's not done yet, but we have a full kitchen set up where they actually come in. And do like a full cooking demonstration where you can see their top tips and tricks for cooking different items the right way. And the best part is, too, is you can take home some merch if you're feeling fancy. Tell us what we've got on our table. Well, I know it may look like this. I'm actually not a chef, but I do have this gorgeous Austin Food and Wine Festival apron that we're going to be selling in our merch store this year. We've got these beautiful koozies, of course, to keep your drinks nice and cold and your hands warm, which is why I like using koozies. But, yeah, we have a full festival merch. Merch set up that you can come in once you see, uh, come through Gates. Let me set up right over here behind us. Cause you can't see right now. Yeah. Uh, but you know, we've got hats, got shirts. Our merch team just took a good job to using this brand package. Hugging a croissant is like very much my thing. So I'm here for it. I don't know. And if you don't, that's crazy. Um, okay. Anything else before I let you go? Because in the next few hits, we're going to talk to some chefs and see what tastings will be available, but anything else, Ty? Yeah, so we've only got a handful of tickets left. We've got a small number of tickets available left for a Made in Texas event tomorrow evening. Saturday is pretty much all done. We do have a handful of VIP tickets left, of course, but Sunday we're down to the very last few. So you still got time. Like I said, get out there, see what's going on on our website. You can buy a one day ticket to come out either for the Grand Taste event for VIP, which gives you 30 minutes extra time in the venue before everybody else. That's a huge hit. That's really important because a lot of the food, like... Runs out and they're trying to make it. We make it last the day, but what you want to do is get in before those lines get too long. And they're long. They do. They do get long. People love their food. Rightfully so. Alright, make sure you guys stay with us because coming up in the next few hours, we're going to talk to some chefs and get a look at what we can taste. But Tyler, thank you so much. Thank you again. Of course, and thank you guys. Back to you in the studio. We were tricked. He has his apron on. I thought he was a chef. I know. I was ready to see some food later on in the show. I thought you were a chef. I'll take it. Well, the 15th Annual Austin Food and Wine Festival takes place this weekend. Yeah, that's where we find Libby Farrow, who is filling in for Tira Neubom. Libby, this is such an exciting weekend for so many people. Yes, good morning, ladies. It's absolutely gorgeous out here right now. We're going to have a great weekend out here as well. I am here with chef-owner of Le Barbecue, Allie. Tell me about how you're feeling about participating in this great event once again. I'm super excited. I'll be heading up the live fire on Saturday and Sunday out here at Food & Wine. And we have some incredible chefs that will be joining me. I get to work with Michelle Wallace again, which I'm so excited about. Lorena Garcia. I got Tom Micklewaite out here with me, who's a local. And he's one of my barbecue buddies. So we're going to be firing off some incredible. Incredible meat selections. Yes, and we were talking about it. The weather sounds nice and cool because you're going to be standing next to a fire pit. Yes. But tell us what's going on Saturday, and then we'll get into Sunday. Okay, so Saturday we have a great lineup and we'll be, I mean, I will be specifically cooking these huge pork bellies that will hang and that'll be kind of an extra bonus situation. We'll have beef ribs and tri-tip and all kinds of good stuff. But yes, we have all of the chefs that are bringing their A game. Yeah, no, it's one of my favorite events. I'm a foodie. I love to eat. I don't love to cook, so that's why I come to y'all and just eat my heart out. But if people Can you tell them a little bit about it? Yeah, so we were a food truck for five years, starting in 2012, and we are now on the East Cesar Chavez, and we just actually celebrated 14 years of being open this last week, and so I'm super grateful for all the support from all the locals and the people all over the world that come and eat at our place. I know, I was telling you, I always drive by and it's packed, but you just informed me that I can order ahead, so that's like a game changer. Okay, what else should people, I know, I'm like, okay, I'm doing that immediately after this. Anyway. Food and Wine Fest, what else is happening? Well, we actually have a really cool VIP section on the side and they've set up like a really cool bar and it'll be a really, really fun area to hang out in. And so you can kind of walk back into this direction after you get all of this food from all of these incredible chefs and then come hang out with us. Yeah, sit by the fire. What you're making sounds absolutely delicious. I'm excited. Anything else going on at Le Barbecue we should know about? I mean, we are always having fun over there. Yes. You guys stay busy. Yes, we are busy. And I'm grateful for that. Yes, of course. Of course. So, yeah, you guys come check it out. You can hang out by the fire pit or pit side. Should I say that? Pit side? Sure. On Saturday and Sunday, that's happening here at Auditorium Shores. You guys can go online and get your tickets. Anything else about the fest or Le Barbecue in general before I let you go, Allie? Come hungry. Yes. We have lots of food. Yes. Don't eat breakfast or anything. Just like I promised you, you need to make room. That's right. All right. Well, back to you, ladies in the studio. It's nice and beautiful out here this morning. Yeah, enjoy it. So it's Friday, Saturday, Sunday. It sounds like it's going to be an amazing time. Barbecue, all kinds of food. Yeah, a lot of good things happening out there. Hopefully the rain doesn't. They have the tents out there. Fingers crossed. Well, hopefully not. Yeah, it should be beautiful. Thank you so much, Libby. Appreciate it. All right, switching gears to what's happening around Austin this weekend. The 15th annual Austin Food and Wine Festival is taking place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Yeah, super fun stuff. That's where we find Libby Farrow, who's filling in for Artiera while she is on maternity leave. Good morning, Libby. What can we expect from this year's festival? I see you have some of their merch on now. Yes. Good morning, ladies. It's cooking literally in the heat and with our aprons on. We put these on, but I'm with Amanda. She is with Chow Chow, right? And you're going to tell me about that because that sounds cool. But first, before we get there, you're going to be demoing Friday night. Tell us about it. Yes, I'm doing a demo on Sunday, and I'm going to be actually preparing the same dish on Friday night for the VIP Festival called Made in Texas. It is a shrimp bouillabaisse, but more Creole style, not super French, and we have some trinity in there. Butter poached shrimp, and we're going to fry up some egg rolls to go alongside it. So, you, like, dip it in the soup, and then you drink it. And then on Sunday, I'll be demoing the same dish. So, if you have it on Friday, you can learn how to make it on Sunday. Okay. Well, that sounds absolutely delicious. I, like, got hungry for it. Um, so... So... Where can people come find you when they're here on the festival grounds? Yes, on the festival grounds on Sunday, I will be at Made in Texas, which is, I believe, right behind us or in front of us over here. Very beautiful location. We just saw a Tallarico there two days ago. Seemed like a good party and it'll be a party again. Y'all do it again. Yeah, and then I will be in the tent on Sunday at 2 p.m. Okay, beautiful. And then let's talk about your residency that you're doing. Tell me all the details. Yeah, so we're super fortunate to be taking over the Hoover's Cooking Space, which is a historically black-owned restaurant on the east side, on Manor. And we're doing plate lunch, which is super casual. If you know me from my time at Olamé, you can expect similar flavors, obviously similar quality, but it'll be at a lower price point and a really fun and chill environment. Yeah. Ooh, I'm excited. I'm going to have to come stop by because Olamé was delicious. Thank you. It's going to be delicious, too. We hope so. When can people go check you out? Hopefully, we are opening this month, fingers crossed. Everyone send me some good juju, but follow us on Instagram, chowchowatx.com, for any updates on our opening. Yeah. And then how are you feeling going into the weekend of Austin Food and Wine Fest? Honestly, I'm excited. The weather has changed, you know, feels like a change is in the air, if you know what I mean. And I'm thrilled to celebrate with all of my friends. Yeah, for sure. Yeah. Lovely out here, gorgeous. We've got some merch on that you guys can purchase. When you come to the Festival Grounds, anyone can be a chef, apparently. Anyone. I don't want to be, so that's why I come to y'all. We're here to help. Yeah. Do you have, like, a favorite other restaurant that you like to try when you're here, other than yours, of course? Oh, my gosh. So many. Nixa, if you've never been, highly recommend. Birdies. The Eastside has really great food scene right now. Este, they just won restaurant, number one restaurant by a statesman, is right across the street from us, and they have really excellent seafood, excellent tacos, really, really good stuff. Yeah. I love Austin. It's such a food city and I'm like a food. If people are watching and they're like, hey, I want to come check you all out. Come to Austin Food and Wine Fest, get tickets online, things like that. Yes, please. Go online. There's still tickets available right now. And please join us. It's going to be a great time. It's a wonderful event. This is the 15th year of Austin Food and Wine. I was at the very first one. I wasn't a big chef yet, but it's really cool to be able to still be a part of it. Yeah, now I'm getting interviewed. Oh, I love it. I love it. Full circle. Well, thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me. And you guys, if you miss her this weekend, go check out Chow Chow. I will be there. Let me know when you open. I will. Okay. Back to you guys in the studio. I know. It's amazing that we have a new great restaurant replacing Hoover's. So it sounds delicious. Yeah. It sounds yummy. Thank you, Libby.