Food Fest!
Hotly anticipated food festival from Aaron Franklin finally dishes details
Hot Luck, the newest addition to Austin's festival scene, has finally released details for the inaugural event, May 18-21, including the chef lineup and your first chance to buy tickets.
The four-day extravaganza, announced in January, features a variety of tasty food and live music events taking place across the city. The fest is helmed by Aaron Franklin (Franklin Barbecue); James Moody (co-founder of Fun Fun Fun Fest, owner of The Mohawk); and Mike Thelin (of premier food festival Feast Portland).
"We are super excited to have the opportunity to launch a new festival with our Austin family and our extended family," says Franklin in a release. "Hot Luck will celebrate the food we love, the music we love, and the city we love."
The chef lineup showcases the best of Austin's culinary talent, but there are quite a few big-name visitors too, including Adam Perry Lang (APL Restaurant, New York); Adam Sappington (The Country Cat, Portland); Alex Stupak (Empellón, New York); Andy Ricker (Pok Pok, Portland); Roy Choi (Kogi BBQ Truck, Los Angeles); Joshua McFadden (Ava Gene's, Portland); Joshua Pinsky and Matthew Rudofker (Momofuku, New York); and Nong Poonsukwattana (Nong's Khao Man Gai, Portland).
The Austin talent includes Franklin, Andrew Wiseheart, Bryce Gilmore, Callie and Philip Speer, Chad Dolezal, David Bull, David Norman, Firore Tedesco, Jason Stude, Jesse Griffiths, Kevin Fink, Laura Sawicki, Michael Fojtasek, Michael Paley, Miguel Vidal, Sarah McIntosh, Rene Ortiz, Todd and Jess Duplechan, Tyson Cole, Tatsu Aikawa, and Yoshi Okai.
Houston's Chris Shepherd (Underbelly) and Rebecca Masson (Fluff Bake Bar); San Antonio's Jason Dady (Jason Dady Restaurants) and Steve McHugh (Cured); and Dallas' John Tesar (Knife) will also appear.
The music portion of the festival will be announced in April, but we do have info on four feature events: a barbecue-centric soiree to open the festival, a culinary roots-inspired event called The Hi Lo, live-fire centerpiece Al Fuego, and a Hawaiian cookout. Additionally, Hot Luck will host a Sunday brunch series to close out the affair.
The structure of the fest is set up so attendees can choose their own adventure. Tickets will be offered a la carte, but there is also an all-inclusive options. The Whole Enchilada package gets you access to all four main foodie events, the concerts of your choice, and other sweet perks. The cost? A hefty $550.
The first round of tickets are now on sale, and more options will be released in the coming weeks; the festival promises prices as low as $20. The Hi Lo and El Fuego showcases are on sale now for $145 and $155, respectively. A portion of Hot Luck's ticket proceeds will benefit SAFE Alliance.