Father's Day menus and World Cup specials are all the rage in the local culinary scene this week, but we stumbled across a few delicious tidbits that may have slipped under your radar. Read more to see what you missed in this week's edition of food news!
Yeezus takes the cake
It was the cake seen around the social media world! This week, Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop got some major love from two pop culture moguls: Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. The Austin bakery, which has already been featured on Food Network, was asked to design West’s 37th birthday cake while he was performing at the X Games last weekend. Owner Olivia O’Neal talked to CultureMap about the once-in-a-lifetime pastry experience.
CultureMap: How much notice were you given to design Kanye West's cake?
Olivia O’Neal: It was a whirlwind. We essentially had about twenty-four hours' notice to get everything done. I knew it was going to be a lot to take on, but you don’t turn down an experience like that. I'm glad it turned out so beautiful.
CM: Who reached out to you about designing the cake? I don't imagine Kim Kardashian picked up the phone to place the order.
OO: No, they have an amazing design team that had a very clear vision of what they were looking for. They were very detailed about what they wanted and they were some of the nicest people I've ever worked with.
CM: Tell me about the cake.
OO: They wanted a rose marble plate with stone shape lettering, which was something Kanye West used a lot on his music tour. The flavor was vanilla sponge, which is essentially a fluffy white cake.
CM: How long did it take to put all that together?
OO: From baking to putting it together, about 20 to 25 hours. It was a true work of art.
CM: Since having such major exposure, have you noticed any change in business yet?
OO: It’s hard to say something like that this early on, but I will say that we’ve received such incredible support from the local community, and that means just as much to us as any national attention.
Vegan fare at Alamo Drafthouse
Alamo Drafthouse held a tasting this week for folks to sample its new vegan dishes. Available now at the Alamo Drafthouse Village location, the popular theater may expand the vegan menu to other Alamo Drafthouse locations, depending on feedback from customers. Currently the offerings include spicy tofu tacos, cherry tomato and avocado bruschetta, samosas, and oatmeal cherry cookies.
Frakenfood at Austin Beerworks
Austin Beerworks will host Spike TV’s Frankenfood on Thursday, June 19. The new culinary show will stop by the Austin brewery with its food truck, offering free samples of unconventional fare, such as Fruity Pebbles Chicken Tenders, Guinness chocolate-coated pork belly, Spam sushi, espresso-crusted chicken tacos and stuffed caramel jalapenos. The brewhouse will host the television tasting from 5 pm – 9 pm. ABW also shared that it will be tapping a new collaboration beer this Saturday, June 14, at 1 pm called the Joe Pêche — a summer-style sour ale the brewery pieced together with Pinthouse Pizza using 200 pounds of organic peaches. Sign us up!
Austin community rallies to aid injured server
The Silo on 7th is asking individuals to extend some charity to help to one of their staff members. Courtney Cavanagh, a server at the restaurant, was riding her bike home a few days ago when a car clipped her and then drove off. Cavanagh fell and sustained several injuries. According to Cavanagh’s Go Fund Me Campaign, created by Samantha Phelps, “St. David's Medical Center… found that [Cavanagh] has torn ligaments and her scapula is broken. She'll have to meet with an orthopedic surgeon to see if surgery is necessary, but she's hoping that it can be avoided. In either case, she'll have several weeks to months of recovery and her left arm is basically immobile for the time being…” To help Cavanagh through the difficult financial burden, please see her GoFundMe campaign.
Bordeaux comes to laV
Restaurant newcomer laV hosts a special wine dinner on Tuesday, June 24, featuring Clos D Dubreuil vintage wines from the St. Emilion appellation in Bordeaux. Winemaker Benoit Trocard will be in attendance to describe the rare wines and their culinary pairings, accompanied by a five-course meal from laV’s Executive Chef Allison Jenkins. According to a press release, “The limited production wines are not found on lists, with laV being the only restaurant in Texas to feature the vintages served at the dinner.” Only twenty seats are being offered for the unique dining experience. Tickets are $150 and can be purchased here.
Foreign mangoes invade Sway
Sway is experimenting with some strange fruit! The modern Thai restaurant received a small shipment of Indian mangoes, which owner Jesse Herman tells CultureMap will be used on Sway's dessert menu this weekend. We can't wait to see what they do...
Metier Cook's Supply quickly progressing
Things are coming along swimmingly at Metier Cook's Supply, which has been posting its progress to opening day on Facebook. This week, the building received a new paint job, added some vintage fixtures and began nailing adorable apple crates to the wall. We spy an opening coming soon!
Texas Tiki Week at Drink.Well.
Drink.Well. has announced its participation in the third annual Texas Tiki Week, which takes place Tuesday, June 24 through Monday, June 30. The rum-centric celebration, which is helmed by the United States Bartenders Guild (USBG), highlights the classic cocktail in all its interpretations. The neighborhood bar will feature a different tiki drink each day during the libation celebration.
Our very own South Austin Sugar Mama's has gotten international attention this week.
