Field of Dreams

Austin's first farm-focused food festival returns to the field this fall

This one-of-a-kind festival returns in fall 2022 with even more programming focused on the future of our local food system.

Courtesy of Field Guide Festival

Austin's first farmer-focused food festival is back for its second year with an even bigger lineup than its sold-out launch event in 2021. With a mission to educate, elevate, and celebrate the local food, farmers, and chefs that make Austin one of the most incredible food cities in the country, Field Guide Festival brings Austin together to explore the pathway of food from seed in the soil to plates on the table through food, beverage, farming and wellness experiences.

This 2022 iteration features new immersive events for 2022, including Ploughman’s Picnic at Peeler Farm on September 10, At The Pass on October 1, and Field Guide Festival at Fiesta Gardens on November 12.

Led by industry powerhouses Lindsey Sokol of Blue Norther Live and Trisha Bates of Urban American Farmer, the festival is female-founded. Working alongside Philip Speer of Comedor as the chef curator and Robert Björn Taylor as the NA beverage curator, the thoughtfully designed festival celebrates our Central Texas food system, showcasing collaborations between Austin's beloved farmers and chefs.

“In year two of Field Guide, we’re giving guests a fresh food experience focusing on where their food comes from through the close collaboration of local chefs and farmers,” said co-founder Lindsey Sokol. “We want guests to leave with an understanding of where and how our food is made to help appreciate and value our local food system and culinary community.”

Field Guide Festival partners with the Central Texas Food Bank as a long-term nonprofit community partner, dedicating a portion of proceeds to support their incredible work in increasing food security for our community.

In addition to the return of the eponymous Field Guide event on November 10, the two additional fall events will feature fresh new ways to engage with local chefs, farmers, and makers across Central Texas. Taking place at Peeler Farm in Floresville, Texas, on September 10, Ploughman's Picnic will include both well-known and lesser-known Texas culinary stars such as Cured, Confituras, HiFi Mycology, Abby Jane Bakeshop, and many more.

Peeler Farm cowboys will welcome guests with a hayride to the pasture, where they will spend the evening surrounded by the farm's large herds of humanely raised cattle, sheep, and baby water buffalo as they graze on green and golden pastures. Featuring local charcuterie and Peeler Farm meat, the dinner will highlight the culinary talents of chef Jorge Hernandez from San Antonio’s Hotel Emma as well as the musical musings of Scott Ballew for a sunset performance.

Just a few short weeks later, At The Pass will move from the farm to the city, taking place in downtown Austin for a lively evening where local chefs will flex their culinary mastery, demonstrating kitchen shortcuts and pro tips that will change the way you prep food in your own kitchen. A full chef lineup, location, and more details of this must-attend new event will be released soon.

In the meantime, head to fieldguidefest.com for more information on this one-of-a-kind festival focused on the future of the local food system. Last year's tickets sold out in record time, so be sure to sign up sooner than later for an opportunity to meet and celebrate the people behind your local food while eating and drinking the vibrant flavors that are so unique to Austin.

chefs festivals farmer-diaries

Gobble On The Go

13 Austin restaurants serving Thanksgiving feasts in 2024

Photo courtesy of Mylk Collective

Have you ever fallen in love with a picture of turkey? (Pictured: Turkey special by Walton's Fancy & Staple)

Thanksgiving is around the corner (November 28), and with it the stress of having to plan one of the most important family gatherings of the year. Not everyone has the time or skills to spend an entire day perfecting the art of cooking a turkey, or glazed ham, or figuring out what everyone likes. Thankfully there are plenty of options in Austin to make this holiday a stress-free one.

Whether Austinites want to pre-order a delicious spread to take home, don’t want to worry about baking a pie, or just want to dine out on Thanksgiving Day, these restaurants have them covered. From traditional turkey meals to vegan and vegetarian picks, Austin has options for everyone.

Here are 13 places in Austin that have Thanksgiving covered.

Pre-orders & pick-ups

District Kitchen + Cocktails
District Kitchen’s meal packages offer various options no matter your family size. For 2-4 people, choose the half turkey meal ($110). The whole turkey meal ($199) feeds 6-8 people. Both options include cheddar mashed potatoes, sourdough stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, and glazed Brussels sprouts. For bigger families, the Family Feast option ($550) feeds 10-12 people and includes challah rolls, mac and cheese, butternut squash bisque, and dessert. Deadline to order is November 22 through Toast.

Walton’s Fancy & Staple
Walton’s is offering a full, traditional Thanksgiving spread that is available as a package for up to 10 people or à la carte. Options include orange and thyme-rubbed turkey breast with gravy, glazed carrots, mashed potatoes, shaved Brussels sprouts, mac and cheese, cornbread stuffing, cranberry sauce, and buttery dinner rolls. For dessert, Walton's offers 9-inch pies in the classic pumpkin, apple, buttermilk, or pecan flavors ($45). Pre-orders are available through November 25 via phone (512-542-3380) or email (catering@waltonsfancyandstaple.com).

Loro Asian Smokehouse & Bar
For a deliciously fun spin on Thanksgiving, try Loro’s Thanksgiving package featuring the dishes we all know and love, infused with Asian flavors. It includes smoked turkey breast, turkey and sage gravy miso, confit marble potatoes, toasted brioche stuffing, yuzu and peach cobbler, and more. This package feeds 4-6 people ($190). Prefer just the protein? Order the smoked turkey breast and miso gravy ($65) by itself. Pre-orders are open until November 24 at loroeats.com.

Loro Thanksgiving spread Smoked turkey from Loro puts both Texan and Asian twists on the traditional spread.Photo courtesy of Loro

Central Market
Central Market’s chef-prepared meals never fail, and its Thanksgiving options are ideal for those looking for a convenient and affordable option. There are six meal options to choose from, like the traditional oven-roasted turkey meal ($149.99) serving 6-8 people, which includes cornbread dressing, whipped potatoes, green beans, turkey gravy, and cranberry sauce. Or, choose hickory smoked ham or beef tenderloin as a protein instead. Vegetarian meal options are also available. Online ordering is open until November 25 at centralmarket.com.

Mr. Natural
No need to miss out on traditional Thanksgiving if you are vegan or vegetarian. Mr. Natural is offering a Thanksgiving feast that includes seitan turkey, green beans with almonds, gravy, dinner rolls, cornbread dressing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Choose from a family feast for up to 6 people ($157.25), dinner for two ($57.25), or individual plates ($23). À la carte seitan turkey is also available. Pre-order by November 23 at mrnaturalatx.com.

Desserts

Mañana
If you'd rather watch a bake-off than participate in one, pre-ordering dessert is the way to go. Mañana’s holiday pie lineup includes caramel apple, spiced pumpkin, and chocolate bourbon pecan pie. You can also order classic vanilla and toasted cinnamon ice cream pints, and homemade whipped cream to pair with your pie. Pre-orders are available now until November 22 through Toast.

Gati’s Ice Cream
Special diet or dietary restrictions are covered at Gati’s, which will be offering gluten-free desserts and vegan ice cream options for Thanksgiving. Choose from classic pie offerings such as apple, pumpkin, and pecan. For cakes, there are a variety of options such as the pumpkin bundt cake with chocolate or a pumpkin roll with cream cheese. Or, add a pint of a seasonal ice cream flavor. Online pre-orders are available until November 17 at gatiicecream.com.

SusieCakes
Famous bakery chain SusieCakes is offering a wide variety of sweet treats to pre-order for Thanksgiving. Options include the spiced pumpkin cupcakes, assorted cupcakes that say "thankful" in frosting, pumpkin cheesecake, cranberry orange cake (available in two sizes), and turkey-shaped sugar cookies. DIY kits add fun for the entire family. Pre-orders are open until November 23 at susiecakes.com.

SusieCakes Thanksgiving treats SusieCakes is ready to make the cutest things on the table.Photo courtesy of SusieCakes

Dine in on Thanksgiving Day

Carpenters Hall
Gather with loved ones at Carpenters Hall for a family-style feast. Each guest receives mulled cider, butternut squash soup, and Brussels sprouts to start plus pumpkin pie for dessert. Options ($45 - $77 per person) include smoked turkey breast and stuffed turkey leg with cranberry sauce, spiced pork loin with hot honey glaze, wagyu ribeye with black truffle jus, poached cod loin with lemon butter sauce, or a vegetarian spread with black truffle jus along with an assortment of sides. Reservations required via Resy.

Acre 41
If your ideal Thanksgiving starts with lunch, consider Acre41’s Thanksgiving feast, available starting at 11 am. The special menu ($75) features slow-roasted turkey breast with traditional sage stuffing and cranberry sauce, plus Texas jalapeño mac and cheese, roasted baby carrots, and mashed potatoes. For dessert, patrons can enjoy a caramel pecan pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Reservations are available on OpenTable.

Crú
Crú’s Italian-inspired Thanksgiving special returns this year with a 3-course menu at both Austin locations. Some of the options include lobster and saffron risotto, roasted turkey, pan-seared salmon, pumpkin ricotta tortellini, buttery rolls, and jalapeño cornbread, plus pumpkin cheesecake or apple pie for dessert. The Thanksgiving dinner ($55 per adult, $28 for children under 12) will be available starting at noon. Reservations available at cruwinebar.com.

Truluck's
Truluck’s is offering a special Thanksgiving dinner at both of the seafood restaurant's Austin locations, but reservations only remain at the downtown location. While patrons can also enjoy the signature seafood dishes, there will be a 3-course holiday feast ($29 per child, $59 per adult) including a herb-roasted turkey breast, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry apple compote, along with the choice of pumpkin cheesecake or carrot cake for dessert. Wine and bourbon pairings are also available for an additional cost. Reserve online at trulucks.com.

Yamas
Enjoy a taste of Greece on Thanksgiving Day at Yamas. This local and family-run restaurant will be offering a pre-fixe Thanksgiving menu inspired by Greek flavors. Options include turkey with herb stuffing, greek salad, mashed potatoes with turkey gravy and cranberry sauce, garlic parmesan carrots, homemade cornbread, and pumpkin pie. The regular menu will also be available all day. Reserve on OpenTable.

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