LATINA REPRESENTATION

Latina Austinite entrepreneur crowned Mrs. Texas Plus America 2023

Christabell Nuñez, Mrs. Texas Plus America 2023

“I am a fierce advocate for body positivity and normalizing mental health discussions in Latin culture," Nuñez said.

Photo by Kieone Young Photography

The latest win in Latina representation has been earned by an Austinite. At this year’s pageant, Austin entrepreneur Christabell Nuñez won the crown as the Mrs. Texas Plus America 2023.

The faith-based Miss America Plus Pageant has celebrated “full-figured” women and given them recognition for causes they support since its founding in 2002, according to a press release. Nuñez is the first woman of color from Austin to take home the Texas crown in the pageant’s 21-year history.

Nuñez's roots in Austin's Latino culture run deep. She was born and raised in East Austin, which is largely known for its wide Hispanic culture and communities. She said in the release that her decision to compete became clear after she noticed a lack of representation of plus-sized Hispanic women in the pageant.

“I am a fierce advocate for body positivity and normalizing mental health discussions in Latin culture, and provide mentorships and business advice for people of color-owned small businesses,” she said.

Her platform is Austin's Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas, which promotes the inclusion and advancement of Hispanic women in “public, corporate and civic life.”

This year’s pageant took place in Houston, which is where the national Miss Plus America Pageant will take place in the summer. Nuñez shared her gratitude for winning the Texas pageant and her vision to represent the state in the national competition.

“While I love the gowns and glam, I am blessed to have this opportunity to make a positive impact beyond the city of Austin,” said Nuñez. “I am excited to compete at the Miss Plus America Pageant this July in Houston and showcase the diversity, strength, and beauty of plus-size Texas women and make us proud.”

The national competition will take place July 17-23. More information about the Miss Plus America Pageant can be found on missplusamerica.com.

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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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