A Taste of Austin

Celebrate Austin's best food and drink at CultureMap's tastiest party of the year

CultureMap Austin 2018 Tastemaker Awards at Fair Market Hall of Fame Sophia's Cold Smoked Beef Sirloin Tartare

Join us at the 2019 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards on April 10.

Photo by Shelley Neuman

It's time to raise your glass to Austin and San Antonio's culinary rock stars: The annual CultureMap Tastemaker Awards, our signature food and drink celebration, returns to Austin on April 10.

This has become one of the most popular food parties of the year, and at the heart of the event is our coveted awards program honoring the best restaurant and bar talent in the area.

Each year, CultureMap shines a spotlight on the people making the city's culinary scene special. First, we collaborate with a panel of experts, including previous Tastemaker winners, to determine the nominees. The panel then selects winners in every category, except Best New Restaurant, which will be determined by readers in our interactive tournament this spring.

In Austin, this year's categories are Restaurant of the Year, Chef of the Year, Rising Star Chef of the Year, Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year, Bar of the Year, Bartender of the Year, Wine Program of the Year, Pastry Chef of the Year, Brewery of the Year, Favorite Taco, and Best New Restaurant.

In San Antonio, the categories are Restaurant of the Year, Chef of the Year, Bar of the Year, Favorite Taco, and Best New Restaurant.

We'll unveil the nominees soon, and then you'll get to know them all in a special editorial series leading up to the big event.

Join us April 10 at the Bullock Texas State History Museum for the CultureMap Tastemaker Awards presented by Woodford Reserve, where you'll nosh on signature sweet and savory bites from participating nominees; sip wine, beer, and specialty cocktails from Woodford Reserve; and toast the winners at our awards ceremony.

Discounted tickets are on sale now. Through February 15, you can snag general admission tickets for $50 each or splurge on VIP admission, which includes early access to the event, a dedicated VIP bar, an elevated food pairing experience, and more, for $95.

Advanced general admission and VIP ticket sales will run through April 9 for $60 and $105, respectively. Day-of tickets will be available for $70 and $115. A portion of the proceeds benefits Austin Food & Wine Alliance.

Grab your tickets now, then follow along as we unveil the nominees and more delicious event details, and we'll see you at the party in April.

awards tastemakers

Near and Deer

Vespaio-trained chef serves venison from trailer at Austin's Sign Bar

Photo courtesy of Sign Bar.

Born and Braised, specializing in native ingredients and braised meats, is now open at Sign Bar.

Born and Braised, a food trailer specializing in native ingredients and braised meats, has just opened for business at Sign Bar. Chef and owner William Woodland, a.k.a. Woody, says so far things are going great.

"They're doing a great job promoting us at Sign Bar. I feel really special," says Woodland.

This is a big change from several years ago when sign bar first opened and Woodland says he "pestered" the folks behind the cool new space.

"I think at that time they wanted to see a couple of years of good experience," says Woodland. "And now my reviews are insanely good — so I think that helped!"

Born and Braised started out at Lustre Pearl back in 2022, and then quickly moved over to Sage Brush where it stayed for more than a year. More recently, Woodland has been operating out of Bastrop and is happy to be closer to town again at Sign Bar, which is located in East Austin. It's still a bit of a drive for many, but not as far south.

Some of the menu items include birria tacos, homemade birria ramen, and multiple venison-based dishes: chili, a smash burger, and bratwurst. There's also grilled cheese, street corn, and other sides.

"I think it's one of only a couple of places in town where you can get venison any time," says Woodland. He adds that the main focus of any foods he prepares is minimal waste and using good, quality, native ingredients. "I'm kind of an ingredient hippie," he laughs.

These cooking roots can be traced back to Woodland's days at his grandparents' out in the country, where his uncles butchering deer in the garage was the norm, and venison was always on the table. As an adult, Woodland got his "formal" education in the kitchen at Vespaio under the tutelage of Ryan Samson.

"He gave me his culinary book from when he went to school and quizzed me everyday; basically took me to culinary school through that job," says Woodland. "I cry thinking about him all the time. Great guy; a really good mentor."

Born and Braised is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 4 pm to 2 am, and Saturdays from 11 am to 2 am, at Sign Bar Austin (9909 FM 969, Bldg. 3). The bar, decorated with more than 75 retired signs from legendary local businesses, offers a variety of beers, wines, and cocktails.

Sign Bar Holiday Tree This miniature Zilker Tree is the newest permanent installation at Sign Bar. Photo courtesy of Sign Bar

As of early December, guests can enjoy all Sign Bar has to offer next to the Sign Bar Holiday Tree. This 64-foot tall tree is an homage to the Zilker Tree, and unlike most holiday displays, this tree will be up year-round. Guests can even spin under this mini-Zilker Tree — but may want to give it a minute after a bowl of venison chili.

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