Eat, Drink and Stay Local

This weekend is the 5th Annual Edible Austin Eat Drink Local Week, Austin’s premier local food event celebrating local food and foodmakers in Central Texas! This culinary festival raises money for Urban Roots and Sustainable Food Center.  This exciting week kicks off this Saturday December 5 at 10am at the Downtown SFC Farmers’ Market with proclamation by the Mayor of the City of Austin, a 24-carrot salute and other special activities. Saturday’s events also include an Urban Farm Bicycle Tour followed by a Pig Roast and Harvest Dinner at Springdale Farm.
Sunday follows with the Coffee and Chocolate Festival. Sample coffee and coffee drinks from Central Texas’s favorite coffee roasters along with chocolate delights from our local chocolatiers at Texas Coffee Traders from 11am–3pm.
Events continue throughout the week at quintessential Austin locations like the Alamo Drafthouse, The Carrillion, and the Domain. Tuesday and Friday are the designated “Dining Out” nights with participating restaurants creating special dishes for the festival. This list includes some of my favorite Austin eateries!  ASTI Trattoria, FINO,  Home Slice Pizza, Jack Allen’s Kitchen, Olivia, TRACE, Uchi, Uchiko, & Wink are just a few of the HUGE LIST of places to find local fare.

To make things even more exciting, Edible Austin brings you an Online Chef Auction! Through December 10, you can bid to have your favorite Chef create you a superb meal (for up to eight guests) at your home or another location. Three of my favorite Austin chefs –  David Bull,  Zach Northcutt, and Bryce Gillmore – are all up for bids. (Please feel free to invite me to dinner if you win!)
Be sure to like them on Facebook and pick up your free copy of the Winter 2011 Edible Austin!