This week's news saw a myriad of awards, national recognition, and, of course, new restaurants over the horizon.
Decadent desserts
This week, Delysia Chocolatier was named one of the Best Chocolatier and Confectioners in America by the International Chocolate Salon. This is the sweet shop's second consecutive year of being featured on the list. "There are no words to describe how amazing it feels to be among the best in the country," said owner Nicole Patel in a press release. "Being once again recognized by the International Chocolate Salon is such a huge honor. It’s humbling. I know competition was fierce this year and I’m ecstatic to have come out on top."
David Bull has a new restaurant on the way
The upcoming Seaholm Power Plant development already has an exciting new tenant. According to a press release, recently named James Beard Award Semifinalist David Bull and Jeff Trigger of the La Corsha Hospitality Group — who also helped open Congress/Second Bar + Kitchen/Bar Congress — will work alongside each other to bring the new Boiler Nine Bar + Grill to life. With 11,000 square feet of space, the restaurant will span over four floors, featuring three bustling kitchens and a bar on every floor. Sure sounds super fancy!
The project is projected to open by the end of 2014. And plans for the development don't stop there: "The transformation of the historic 1950s Art Deco Seaholm Power Plant and its surrounding five acres includes 1.5 acres of open space, a coffee shop and the Boiler Nine Bar + Grill. A new, two-story building will feature an additional 66,000 square feet of office and retail space, including a Trader Joe’s grocery store," the press release says.
Texas' culinary culture
Foodways Texas – a nonprofit organization dedicated to recognizing and archiving Texas’ melting pot of culinary cultures — is hosting its annual Foodways Texas Symposium on March 20-22 at Texas A&M University. This year’s symposium, entitled "Farm to Market 2014," will feature panels and discussions on the legacy of Texas’ crops. Austin brands featured at the agricultural event include Confituras, Salt & Time and Lenior. Attendees who purchase a ticket will also receive select meals on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Tickets to the event can be purchased through the Foodways Texas website.
East Austin brewery Hops & Grain has partnered with the Whole Planet Foundation to debut a special, limited-edition beer called The SupPorter later this month. The bold brew is a signature coffee porter made with Allegro Coffee. This is the second year Hops & Grain has created a beer that uses ingredients from businesses that receive loans from the Foundation. "We feel that our business is better because of the relationship that we’ve developed with the Whole Planet Foundation," Josh Hare, owner of Hops & Grain, said in a press release.
"Even more importantly, our personal lives are better for witnessing just a fraction of the wonderful work that Whole Planet Foundation is doing throughout the world." Brewed with Allegro Coffee, the Baltic-style coffee porter will be sold at four Whole Foods Market tapping events. The two remaining events are at Whole Foods Bee Cave on February 21 and Whole Foods Lamar on Saturday, February 22.
And, in case you missed it:
James Beard recognizes Austin talent
The James Beard Foundation announced its list of semifinalists for the 2014 James Beard Foundation Awards this week. The nominees spanned from across the nation, with three amazing Austin chefs managing to seize spots in the prestigious compilation. For more information on the nomination process, as well as the upcoming reveal of the finalists in March, see CultureMap's coverage of this year's James Beard Foundation Awards.
National Margarita Day
In case you missed it yesterday, yours truly and other CultureMap writers spilled the beans — or should we say tequila — on the most surprisingly tasty margaritas in town. Since Saturday is National Margarita Day, it's your duty to check out some of CultureMap's top margarita choices.
Delysia Chocolatier was named one of the Best Chocolatier and Confectioners in America by the International Chocolate Salon.
