More Cheese, Please

Central Market attempts to break record for world's largest charcuterie board

The cheese is here.

Photo courtesy of Central Market

Any foodie will tell you that if you want to make the best charcuterie board, go to Central Market. Now the gourmet grocer is putting its reputation on the line as it attempts to break the world record for the largest charcuterie board as part of its 30th anniversary celebration in Austin.

Central Market opened its first location on North Lamar in Austin in 1994, and now that same store is prepping for more than 1,000 pounds of cheese, meat, fruit, nuts, crackers, and more to be on display from 5-8 pm on Wednesday, September 11.

All 10 Central Market stores across Texas are joining in on the two-week anniversary celebration, which runs from September 11-24.

Central Market cake and champagne Who's ready to celebrate?Photo courtesy of Central Market

Expect to find hot anniversary specials around the store, along with new and exclusive items from around the world like:

Japanese snow-aged A10 wagyu — a true delicacy
Wester Ross Genesis salmon — typically reserved for only those in the know
Italian Rifugio Crucolo cheese — available for the first time in Texas
Exclusive Flamigni panettone — made just for this event and flown direct from Italy
Chocolate caramel petit mirror cakes — handmade using imported Valrhona French chocolate
Chef collaboration dishes available in the Chef Prepared area — including dishes from Texas icons like Tiffany Derry, Alex Snodgrass, Ryan Pera, and Chris Shepherd
Incredible wines from Peju Winery, Jean-Charles Boisset, Ron Rubin, and so many more amazing finds from Central Market's expert wine buyers

Free tickets are already sold out for the world record attempt, but you're more than welcome to drop by and fill up your cart with goodies during — and beyond — the anniversary celebration. Also keep an eye on the Austin location's Eventbrite page for Cooking School classes and other exclusive culinary experiences. Find your nearest Central Market here.

central market charcuterie board grocery store world record promoted

Refill, revere, rejoice

Austin distiller refills Kentucky Bourbon bottles for $1 in UT gameday stunt

Photo courtesy of Still Austin Whiskey Co.

Still Austin is filling up empty Kentucky Bourbon bottles and adding its own label in a display of Texas dominance.

Cheap bourbon isn't usually something people line up for, but in this case they know it's good. Still Austin Whiskey Co., a favorite Austin distiller, is offering $1 refills of its own Cask Strength Bourbon on empty Kentucky Bourbon bottles on November 23.

The promotion celebrates the Texas Longhorns vs. Kentucky Wildcats football match the same day. This is a highly anticipated game because the two teams have only been matched up once, back in 1951. Kentucky coach Mike Stoops reportedly also upped the ante by saying the Longhorns have "no weaknesses."

Essentially, this is a parallel challenge by Still Austin: Replace your Kentucky Bourbon with our Texas spirit and watch the Lone Star State win again.

"Why would I ever taint your bourbon with dried up Kentucky juice[?]" asked a (frankly, terrifying) customer on Instagram.

There is a misconception that bourbon has to be made in Kentucky. The Kentucky Distillers’ Association itself points out that, "According to the 1964 Congressional Resolution, in order to have “Bourbon” on the label it must be made in the United States of America and meet all other federal “standards of identity” for Bourbon."

Still Austin CEO and co-founder Chris Seals is setting the record straight with a little snark, inviting both fans and "skeptics" to stop by to take advantage of the deal.

“We’re deeply grateful to Kentucky for inventing the stuff, but after 200 years of the same old bourbon, people want something new,” said Seals in a press release.“The idea that great bourbon can only come from Kentucky is a myth based on decades of misinformation. We’re inviting everyone still holding onto this old guard notion to ‘Kentucky Fill Up’ to experience the difference for themselves.”

The product he's chosen to represent the brand, the Cask Strength Bourbon, is described as "a deeper more 'metal' version of our beloved straight bourbon." It's 116 proof (58 percent ABV) and has won double gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition twice, in 2022 and 2023.

Still Austin will only refill 500 bottles. Here are the rules: The bottles have to be 750 milliliters, clean, intact (with the original cap on hand), and they must have originally contained bourbon from a Kentucky Distillery. There are two time slots for refilling at 9 am and 11:30 am. Patrons can get tickets ahead of time at stillaustin.com.

In addition to the fill-ups, Still Austin will host a watch party starting at 2:30 pm. More Texas-Kentucky crossover will include Frozen Texas Julep cocktails, Texas fried chicken, and an armadillo derby race. There will also be exclusive merch and giveaways. Still Austin is the official corporate partner of Texas Athletics.

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Fans of Austin sports and Austin food and drinks can now score tickets to The Tailgate, CultureMap's all-out party devoted to everyone’s favorite way to get in the gameday spirit. The event, presented by Verizon, goes down from 6-9 pm December 12 at Distribution Hall. Find out more about it here.

whiskey university of texas longhorns