Eat, drink and be supportive
Wine and Food Foundation of Texas: Helping to raise Austin's food and wine sceneto another level
When it comes to great food and wine most people look to cities like New York, Paris, and San Francisco. Austin is only beginning to generate that kind of reputation.
And there are some creative, innovative, and down right delicious things happening in the Capitol City, but there is still much work to be done. That's where the Wine and Food Foundation of Texas (WFFT) comes in. They are the area's only non-profit dedicated to improving Austin's food and wine scene by providing educational programs, projects and events.
"The Wine and Food Foundation of Texas wants to help nurture and grow our talent pool in the culinary and viticultural arts," WFFT Executive Director Marshall Jones said. "We recognize the need for great chefs and sommeliers in Austin and Texas."
WFFT is a state-wide membership organization created in 1997 by the founders of the Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival. Each year the non-profit hosts wine and food tastings, cooking classes, and culinary competitions. WFFT also helps fund the Texas Sommelier Conference (TexSom) which brings together the who's who of wine from across the country and Texas to learn from each other each year.
"We are creating some of the best wine minds in the world right here in Texas," Marshall said.
Of course none of this would be possible without some heavy duty fundraising through events like Thursday night's Tour de Vin. It's one of the Wine and Food Foundation's premiere fundraising events and gives guests a chance to eat and drink themselves merry as they take in 85 world wines and regional cuisine from 15 local restaurants. As you would expect, WFFT considers this one of Austin's best food and wine events. The 9th annual Big Reds and Bubbles is another WFFT fundraiser coming up in November.
So will Austin's food scene ever rise to the level of San Francisco or New York. Who knows? But the WFFT takes pride in knowing they are doing their part to support and showcase Austin's current and upcoming talent.