Where There's Smoke
Austin's top chefs bring the heat to smoky James Beard Foundation affair
What: James Beard Foundation's Taste America Austin
Where: The Brewer's Table
The lowdown: The James Beard Foundation kicked off a weekend of epic events with a special welcome reception on November 15. Held at the oft-lauded Brewer's Table in East Austin, attendees stayed warm on the chilly night with smoke-infused dishes from some of Austin's hottest chefs. (The warming lamps and specialty brews helped, too.)
Dishing up the bites was the who's who of Austin's restaurant scene including Page Pressley of Emmer & Rye; Wayne Mueller of Louie Mueller BBQ; Angela Castillo of Shore; Jesse DeLeon of Rosewood; JB Gross of Loro; Fermin Nunez of Suerte; Sarah Heard and Nathan Lemley of Foreign & Domestic; Evan LeRoy of LeRoy and Lewis; Zach Hunter of the Brewer's Table; and Mathew Peters, 2017 Bocuse D’Or winner.
Guests drifted from table to table, sampling bites and sipping wine and ales from New Belgium and the Brewer's Table. The P. Terry's food truck ensured everyone was well satiated during the impromptu games of cornhole held in the restaurant's parking lot. Austin's own Jackie Venson ended the evening with a special performance under the stars.
Who: J.D. Valdez, Tori Finlayso, Elaine Garza, Tavel Joseph-Bristol, Courtney Knittel, Lesley Taylor, Jake Maddux, Alison Tozzi Liu, Michelle Voss, Donna Ingram, Courtney Mohl, Francey Grund, Chris Massara, Lucas Felak, Anna Rash, Allyson Silver, Brandon Silver, Taylor Hughes,and Chelsea Hughes.