An Affair to Remember

Austin philanthropists give big during fabulous fundraiser at Hotel Van Zandt

What: The BIG Give 2019

Where: Hotel Van Zandt

The lowdown: On September 6, Austin philanthropists, nonprofits, and partygoers gathered for the BIGGEST fundraiser of the year. I Live I Here Give Here, the organization that supports fundraising efforts for area nonprofits, checked into the Hotel Van Zandt for the 12th BIG GIVE, a night of fun in the name of philanthropy.

Attendees to this year's The BIG Give dined on passed bites while sipping cocktails from Tito's Handmade Vodka, Playa Real, a special seltzer (it is 2019 after all!) and beer selection from Bon & Viv, Michelob Ultra, and Karbach.

DJ Mel kept the good vibes going while attendees perused the impressive auction items. Among the prizes up for grabs were a camping package from YETI, VIP passes to Hot Luck 2020, a three-night stay in Costa Rica, the Anything Delivered Package from Favor Delivery and H-E-B, a Pershing House membership, and a staycation package from The Line Hotel and Fixe.

More than 300 people turned out for the funky fundraiser, raising over $148,000 for the nonprofit organization. A BIG Give, indeed.

Who: Summer Daoud, Judy Matetzschk-Campbell, Kathy Smith-Willman, Zack Flores, Katie Flores, David Williams, Ron Perry, Norema Perry, Blake Absher, Christine Absher, Karen Frost, Courtney Manuel, Rob Pennington, Elizabeth Antonishen, Catherine Lucchesi, Pirie Humphries, Melissa Glassman, Chelsea Toler-Hoffman, Rachel Comeskey, AnneMarie McComb, Alecia Burdick, Jaclyn Daumerie, Marisa Secco, Amanda Battaglia, Bailey Watkins, Merritt Bury, and Susan Creason Vrazel.

David Williams, Ron Perry,and Norema Perry.

Photo by Trent Lee Photography

David Williams, Ron Perry,and Norema Perry.

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Taste of 2025

Austin's Wine & Food Foundation announces 3 big events for 2025

Photo by Erica Wilkins Photography

Theses Wine & Food Foundation events raise funds for local initiatives.

Austin's food scene is booming, but smaller businesses could always use support. The Wine & Food Foundation is one of Austin's leading industry protectors, and it's just announced three events to help support its mission over the next year.

The three events — Big Reds and Bubbles, Toast of Texas, and the Rare & Fine Wine Auction Gala — are spread out between March and November of 2025, and all offer something a bit different.

They'll all benefit the Wine & Food Foundation and, by extension, the local organizations it supports. Those include Keep Austin Fed, which diverts food surpluses from grocery stores, catered events, and other sites of professional food service; and Sustainable Food Center, which helps Texans access healthy food through SNAP and WIC incentives, hosts farmers markets, connects farmers with resources, and more. The Wine & Food Foundation also offers scholarships for hospitality professionals.

Big Reds and Bubbles, held Friday, March 28, will bring together more than 100 red and sparkling wines for a tasting event. In addition to comparing wines back-to-back, guests will get to try them with bites from popular Austin restaurants to discover interesting new pairings. They'll also get to dress to impress and see the new LZR space — formerly La Zona Rosa, an old Austin music venue that had its last official performance in 2013.

Next up is Toast of Texas on June 8. This is another tasting event that focuses instead on 20 local wineries. The food menu at this event is also more specific, featuring local barbecue and paella, among other local tastes. It'll be located at Assembly Hall, an event space on East 7th Street adjacent to the East Austin Hotel.

Finally, there's the premier event: the Rare & Fine Wine Auction Gala on November 8. This is a big fundraising opportunity not just because of potentially high auction tickets, but the chance to experience something truly out of the ordinary for the wine industry. Guests will also enjoy "an elegant dinner" according to the press release and wines by a featured maker. It'll all happen at the JW Marriott Austin.

The release counts more than 50 other events slated for the year, so there are plenty more opportunities between the big three. Some of these include wine tasting courses, which will be available again soon.

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