Field Guide
Austin chefs turn out for farmer-focused food festival, returning this spring
The innovative event invites Central Texans to consider their role in the future of food in the Austin community.
Sometimes reinventing the wheel is a good thing, which may explain the immediate and warm welcome Field Guide Festival received upon its launch in 2021 and return in 2022. Moving past the food festival trope of tiny bites, loud music, and general Baccanalian vibes, Field Guide Festival seeks to foster connections between farmers, chefs, consumers, and everyone in between. Returning to East Austin on Saturday, April 22, the innovative event invites Central Texans to consider their role in the future of food in the Austin community.
Founded by female powerhouses, Lindsey Sokol and Trisha Bates, the goal of the fest is to leave guests inspired to participate in their local food system, equipped with the knowledge of where to find the best, most sustainable food available in Austin and the surrounding area.
"Field Guide Festival presents an answer to the question, ‘Where does your food come from?’ by highlighting the local farmers and chefs of Austin," Bates shares in a release. "Our festival is the only place in the city where you will see the farmers side-by-side with the chefs who transform their food, creating dishes uniquely representing this exact time and place. You'll never have this food, presented in this way, again."
The recently-released 2023 lineup features an impressive roster of 34 farmer and chef partners who will partner together to create dishes exclusive to the festival using in-season produce. Tickets will include a full day of food and beverages, cooking demonstrations, symposium conversations, live music, and a farmer’s bodega — all benefiting the Central Texas Food Bank.
“The Central Texas Food Bank is honored to be a partner of such a special gathering,” says Mark Jackson Chief Development Officer of Central Texas Food Bank in a releasE. “Not only will revenue from the event help ensure that thousands of our neighbors facing food insecurity have enough to eat, but attendees will learn about the impact food has on our whole community while having fun.”
Curated by Field Guide Culinary Director Chef Philip Speer, the 2023 chef and farmer lineup is below:
- Abby Love (Abby Jane Bakeshop) & Amalia Staggs (Farmshare Austin)
- Colter Peck (Elementary) & Becky Hume (VRDNT Farm)
- Fiore Tedesco (L’Oca D’Oro) & Sean Henry (Hi-Fi MYCO)
- Graeme Little (Fairmont Austin) & Julia Poplawsky Lewis (Cielito Lindo Farm)
- Graham Fuller (Emmer & Rye) & William Nikkel (Trosi Farms)
- Joaquin Ceballos (Este) & Anamaria Gutierrez (Este Garden)
- Krystal Craig + Ian Thurwachter (Intero) & Celia Bell (Two Hives Honey)
- Mia Li (Ora King Salmon) & Joe + Kasey Diffie (Joe’s Microgreens)
- Natalie Gazaui (Chef Consultant) & Gregory Mast (Central Texas Food Bank Garden)
- Nicholas Yanes (Juniper + Uncle Nicky’s) & Perrine Noelke (Local Pastures)
- Rhys Davis & Michael Fojtasek (Maie Day) & Marianna Peeler (Peeler Farms)
- Kevin & Rosie Truong (Fil N Viet) & Travis Breihan (Smallhold)
- Susana Querejazu (Lutie’s) & Hannah Gongola (H2Grow Farms)
- Todd Duplechan (Lenoir + Vixen’s Wedding) & Ryan Gould (Geosmin Regenerative)
- Zechariah Perez (Sour Duck Market + Odd Duck) & Montana Stovall (Dancing Bear Farm)
- Ooni Chef Demos by Casey Wilcox (Little Trouble) & Christina Currier (Comedor)
- Force of Nature Chef Demo by Katrina Ferraro and Freddy Diaz (Las Brasas)
Featuring a mix of savory, sweet, and plant-based options, all food and beverages are included with each ticket, allowing guests to roam and sample everything. Tickets are $100 for adults, while a new Young Foodies ticket option ($50 for ages 13-30) and free entry children 12 and under encourages the whole family to come savor and celebrate the best of Central Texas food.
“New this year, Field Guide will welcome guests of all ages!" says founder Lindsey Sokol. "We’ve created a food festival that puts education first in order to strengthen the food system for the future, including the next generation. Our goal is to present food in a way no one else in Austin is doing, where the local food system is the priority.”
For more information and to purchase tickets for the event, please visit fieldguidefest.com or follow along on social media @fieldguidefest.
There were burnt orange accents in outfits everywhere.Photo by Guillermo Rosas
Some team members from the Jerk Shack came all the way from San Antonio to share their food.Photo by Guillermo Rosas
Tatsu Aikawa and Takuya “Tako” Matsumoto celebrate their well-earned win.Photo by Guillermo Rosas
Wide receiver Xavier Worthy's shiny helmet looked magnificent on the table.Photo by Guillermo Rosas
