Saturday, February 26, 2011

The Food Experiments Kickoff Multi-City Tour in Austin with The Pork Experiment


Brooklyn Brewery is bringing the Food Experiments, a highly successful series of amateur cook-offs launched in Brooklyn, on a multi-city tour that will debut in Austin with “The Pork Experiment.” Over twenty home chefs will create delectable pork dishes for the chance to win cash, prizes, and a round-trip ticket to New York City to compete in the Food Experiments All Stars Competition. The Pork Experiment will take place on March 13, 2011 at Club Deville 900 Red River Street from 12:00 – 4:30 pm.

The Food Experiments stands out in New York City’s cook-off circuit for attracting the most committed, passionate, and daring competitors. The series is the brainchild of two of the most competitive cooks to grace the cook-off scene, Nick Suarez and Theo Peck. After continually facing each other on the winner’s podium, the once-rivals joined forces to create a cook-off that they would be excited to enter. With the sponsorship of Brooklyn Brewery, they are now bringing the fervor of the Food Experiments to cities across the nation, starting with Austin, Texas. "We've had a blast working with Nick and Theo over the last couple of years. The Food Experiments embody the creative culinary spirit of our home borough and we're excited to take this piece of Brooklyn on the road," said Steve Hindy, Brooklyn Brewery President.

The Food Experiments is currently seeking adventurous home chefs to enter the Pork Experiment. “I know Austin is more than just tacos and barbecue (although I love both). I can’t wait to see what the contestants come up with,” said Theo Peck, co-founder of the Food Experiments. Along with the audience, a panel of judges from the Austin food scene will taste all the entries and pick a favorite. In addition to culinary glory, winners will receive prizes from local sponsors, cash and/or a round-trip ticket to New York City to compete against winners of other Food Experiments. Not only do the Experiments offer an opportunity for unsung home chefs to gain recognition and appreciation from the masses, they bring together people who
are passionate about food in a party-like atmosphere. In addition, a portion of tickets sales will support a local charity, Youth Launch.

WHAT: Brooklyn Brewery presents The Pork Experiment

WHEN: Sunday March 13, 2011 12:00 - 4:30 pm

WHERE: Club Deville - 900 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78701

JUDGES: Addie Broyles - Food Writer for The Austin Statesman
David Alan - Nationally Recognized Mixologist also known as The Tipsy Texan
Marla Camp - Publisher, Edible Austin

TICKETS: $20 in advance, $25 day of event

Buy tickets online: http://bit.ly/austinporktickets
Includes tasting samples and a beer from Brooklyn Brewery

For more information visit: http://www.thefoodexperiments.com/

Watch a short video about the Food Experiments at http://vimeo.com/7529495

About The Food Experiments:
Nick Suarez and Theo Peck, New York City’s “cook-off royalty” (http://bit.ly/cook-offkings), created The Food Experiments in 2009. The Experiments are a series of cooking competitions that challenge amateur chefs to create around 300 samples of a dish featuring an “experimental” ingredient or theme. Seven sold-out Experiments have taken place in Brooklyn involving beer, cheese, chocolate, tacos, brunch, Brooklyn roots, and holiday themes. Brooklyn Brewery is presenting a national tour that will feature Experiments in Austin, New Orleans, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Fadó Irish Pub Honors St. Patrick’s Day with First-Ever Weeklong ‘Savage Craic’ Celebration


Fadó Irish Pub Honors St. Patrick’s Day with First-Ever Weeklong ‘Savage Craic’ Celebration:
Includes Live Music, Street Parade, Perfect Pints & Austin’s Largest
St. Patrick’s Day Outdoor Festival

(February 17, 2011) Austin, TX — Fadó Irish Pub and Restaurant, Austin’s favorite spot for aged Irish whiskey, hearty Irish food, Premier League soccer coverage and the perfect pint of Guinness delivered with a side of warm Irish hospitality, is serving up a full week of savage craic this St. Patrick’s Day. Savage craic (pronounced “crack”) is an Irish expression meaning a great time out with friends, and this year’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration at Fadó promises to be bigger, better, full of savage craic and unlike any other.

Fadó’s weeklong St. Patrick’s Day party kicks off Wednesday, March 9, with St. Patrick’s Day-themed trivia, and heads into the weekend with a Friday night dance party featuring music by DJ Chad from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. On Saturday, March 12, the good times start early with Austin’s first-ever St. Patrick’s Day parade at 9 a.m. Though Fadó has hosted a St. Patrick’s Day parade for 14 years, this year’s parade will be the first to benefit the nonprofit St. Baldrick’s Foundation (www.StBaldricks.org), a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising pediatric cancer research. Austin police, firemen, EMS and military representatives will march alongside St. Baldrick’s Foundation volunteers and Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell, who will lead the parade as grand marshal and master of ceremonies. The parade culminates at Fadó, where pipers, dancers and pints of Guinness will be on hand as the St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser gets underway with sponsored volunteers having their heads shaved as a token of their solidarity with children battling cancer. Plenty of live music will keep the craic mighty, with performances from Emerald Exiles, Eammon O’Connor, The Emergency Service Pipe and Drums Association, Sean Orr, Think Lizzy and headliners Mysterious Ways, Austin’s best U2 cover band.

On Wednesday, March 16, as the South By Southwest Music Festival kicks off in Austin, Fadó will host an all-day live music showcase from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. And on Thursday, March 17, St. Patrick’s Day in Austin begins with the city’s largest St. Patrick’s Day outdoor festival. The City will close down Fourth Street so Fadó can set up a massive outdoor tent, complete with a beer garden and performance stage, directly in front of the pub. As the most authentic Irish bar in Austin, Fadó recognizes there’s no better way to start St. Patrick’s Day than with a pint of pure Guinness and a traditional Irish breakfast, so doors will open at 6 a.m., with the street festival beginning at noon. For the rest of the day and into the night, Fadó will treat Austin to two stages of live music, perfect pints and the best craic the city has to offer.

On Friday, March 18, while the rest of the world is recovering, Fadó will keep on rocking with the Rethink Pop Music showcase from noon to 8 p.m. on the patio. Then headliners Mysterious Ways continue the party from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Fadó helps Austin end its week of savage craic on a high note with coverage of the 6 Nations Rugby tournament in the morning and a live music showcase from noon to 8 p.m. on the patio. And headliners the Blaggards keep on rocking Fadó into the night with more live music from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Fadó’s weeklong St. Patrick’s Day celebration is the perfect opportunity to rub elbows with some of Austin’s most rowdy, cheerful partiers while supporting a great cause, making a few new friends over a cold pint, and reveling in the mightiest of craic!

Fadó (pronounced “fuh-doe”) Irish Pub and Restaurant is located at 214 W. Fourth St. in downtown Austin. Known as the best Irish pub in Austin, Fadó was the first Irish pub to be designed and constructed in Ireland and shipped to Austin, where it opened in 1997. Fadó is distinguished by its genuine Irish hospitality, quality of its pints and craic, a uniquely Irish form of fun. Fadó has been voted “Best Of” by a number of local and national publications. Get more information by calling (512) 457-0172, or at www.FadoIrishPub.com/Austin. Become a fan on www.Facebook.com/FadoAustin, and follow us on Twitter@FadoAustin.

Food & Wine, CNN’s Eatocracy & 24 Diner Need Your Vote!


Food & Wine, CNN’s Eatocracy & 24 Diner Need Your Vote!
Andrew Curren in the Running for The People’s Best New Chef Award

AUSTIN, TX – February 15, 2011 – 24 Diner’s Andrew Curren has been nominated for a brand-new award created by Food & Wine magazine and CNN’s Eatocracy called The People’s Best New Chef Award. While the editors of the magazine have always selected past winners, they are asking the public to crown their own top chef for the first time ever. This is where you come in. We need your help to win this prestigious title!

The way the contest works is this: 10 innovative chefs in 10 regions who have run a kitchen for five years or less have been nominated. Votes can be cast from February 15 to March 1 via http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2011/02/15/food-wines-the-peoples-best-new-chef-southwest/. Drew will represent the Southwest. While each region will have a finalist, only the chef with the most votes overall will be featured in F&W magazine and crowned the winner.

If you have been to 24, chances are you have met Drew. Since we are open 24 hours and just celebrated our first birthday, Drew is on site a lot. Perhaps you’ve tried the 24 hash with a side of chili or a plate of chicken & waffles topped with brown sugar butter. Or wrapped your mouth around a bacon gorgonzola burger ground in house or his housemade veggie patty of beets, lentils, pumpkin seeds, golden flaxseeds and more.

Even if you are familiar with Drew, you may not know his pedigree. The Houston native attended Texas A&M with the intention of becoming a vet, but college cooking jobs and studies abroad ignited his passion for food. He was valedictorian at the Culinary Institute of America in New York and then worked as a line cook at Danny Meyer’s Tabla under chef Floyd Cardoz. When Jonathan Waxman came calling, he went on to Barbuto as a sous chef, worked up to chef de cuisine and earned the restaurant its first star from the New York Times. He and Waxman then opened Madeleine Mae on the Upper West Side, but Drew returned to Texas after completing his commitment to the fledgling business. He joined 24 Diner in Austin just as the restaurant’s focus was beginning to take shape.

In Drew’s words, “The concept started as an East Coast diner but evolved into a modern interpretation featuring seasonal and farm-to-table produce. It’s classic in the sense that we are open 24 hours and have milkshakes, burgers and a broad menu, but we have high attention to service and preparation, better food and are more conscious and thoughtful of everything from the environment and recycling to supporting other local and Texas businesses with our purchases.”

We hope that you’ll be supportive of our business and vote for us! Thanks in advance!

24 Diner: 600 N. Lamar Blvd., 512.472.5400, http://www.24diner.com/, twitter.com/24DinerATX.

For more information, contact: Evelyn Sher, 512.589.6596, 24DinerATX@gmail.com

Wine Events @ Mirabelle & StrEAT

February 2011 Calendar
19-Sat - Aging Wines Sat., Feb 19, 6:30pm. $25 per person. Reservations: 628 0288
21-Mon. Tour of Italy Wine Dinner. Laura dePasquale M.S. Mirabelle 6:30pm $55 inclusive
23-Weds Andrew Will Tasting. Asst. Winemaker David Oldman @ Mirabelle 6:30pm $30
March 2011 Calendar
5-Sat. Viva La Vegas Aids Services of Austin. Mirabelle is donating appetizers.
6-Sun, ZAP (Zinfandel, Advocates & Producers) Tasting @ ATT Center. StrEAT is cooking.
8 - Fat Tuesday @ Mirabelle.

SHORT NOTICE OF ANOTHER GREAT WINE TASTING!!!!!
Aging Wines w/ Michael Vilim. Sat., Feb 19, 6:30pm. $25 per person (inclusive)
Reservations: 628 0288
StrEAT apologizes for the short notice for this tasting. That pesky lover’s holiday, Valentine’s Day, took up all our creative time over the weekend. However, Michael has been keen on doing a tasting on aging wines, as the most glorious expression of wine is that elusive moment that a particular bottle reaches its peak. Aging wine is the most reliable and economical way of obtaining wines that are balanced and complete in their flavor profile and ready to drink. Come learn about what helps wine improve with time and how to “diagnose” those conditions, whether it’s a few weeks or 10 years. Also, enjoy a beautiful 2000 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from Michael’s cellar.

Wines & Food:
(NV) Domaine Mumm Sparkling Wine Napa 90 WS
Italian Leek Porrata
2010 Gauchezco Torrontes (Just released)
Lime-cucumber Shooter
2008 Gainey Chardonnay Santa Rita Hills 89 Cellartracker
Smoked Salmon Rolls with Arugula, Mascapone, and Chives
2007 Baby del Rey 89 Cellartracker /2006 Baby del Rey 88 Cellartracker
Matabak (Savory Indonesian Meat Pie)
2007 Arnaldo-Caprai Montefalco Rosso 90 Parker
Cremini Mushrooms with Chive Pasta
2005 Marques de Murrieta Rioja 91 Tanzer
Warm Mushroom Salad w/ Gouda Cheese
2008 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Hands of Time Red Blend Napa 90 Cellartracker
Ticono-style Pot Roast with New Potatoes
2000 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (Napa) 92 Wine Spectator
Sliced Filet of Beef Tenderoin with Pan Juices
2007 Bonny Doon “Le Pousseur” Central Coast Syrah 93 Wine Enthusiast
Millionaire’s Brisket with Coffee and Fireman’s Mop Sauce


21-Mon-Tour of Italy Wine Dinner Laura dePasquale M.S. @ Mirabelle
7:00pm $55 346-7900
Laura DePasquale, MS, is Vice President, Fine Wine Development at Palm Bay International, one of the country’s leading importers of wines from around the world. In 2004, she passed the rigorous series of exams joining an elite group of only 168 Master Sommeliers worldwide, and just the 13th woman. In 2009, she was elected to the Board of Directors of the Court of the Master Sommeliers. Laura and Palm Bay bring an extraordinary set of Italian producers to the U.S., and Michael and Patrick have chosen their favorites. Please join us. As we have just come out of the crazy Valentine weekend, Palm Bay and Mirabelle have partnered together to offer the special price of $55 for the dinner, inclusive of tip and tax.

Tour of Italy Wine Dinner
Palm Bay Imports Featuring Laura dePasqaule, Master Sommerlier
Monday, February 21st, 2011 7pm $55 (inclusive tip/tax) 346-7900
Starter
Torta Verde with Potato
Parmigianno Frico with Lemon-Chive Chevre
(NV) Ferrari Sparkling Wine, Brut Trentino

Menu
Frittata with Lobster, White Asparagus and Italian Parsley
Saffron-Yellow Bell Pepper Puree and Spring Greens
2009 Feudi di San Gregorio Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio Bianco - Campania

Italian Stuffed Pork with Pomegranate Glaze, Grilled Leak Jus
Tortino of Eggplant and Mushroom Antipasti
2006 Sella & Mosca Cannonau (Garnacha) - Sardinia

Braised Rabbit with Porcini Mushrooms and Balsamic
Soft Stone Ground Polenta
2006 Planeta Santa Cecilia Nero d’Avola - Sicily

Roast Ribeye with Chestnuts and Amarone
Crushed Fingerling Potatoes with Parsley & Thyme & Zucchini Noodles
2006 Bertani Villa Arvedi Amarone - Veneto

Dessert
Pineapple Polenta Upside Cake
with Amy’s Mexican Vanilla Ice Cream
(NV) Cavit Moscato - Lombardy

23-Weds Andrew Will Portfolio Tasting. Asst. Winemaker David Oldman
@ Mirabelle 6:30pm $30 346-7900
Mirabelle has long offered fabulous Washington wines, often times before they hit the big time. Leonetti Cellars and Quilceda Creek were two of our favorites before their prices skyrocketed. We have continued to collect Andrew Will, whose quality/price ratio still is still terrific and we are happy to present Andrew Will’s current releases with an Austin visit from Asst.Winemaker, David Oldham. Robert Parker has listed only a few Washington State wineries as “outstanding”, and Andrew Will is one of them, the others being Quilceda, Leonetti and Delille.
Wines to be tasted:
2007 Sorella, 96 Robert Parker,93 Wine Spectator
2006 Champoux, 93 Robert Parker, 93 Stephen Tanzer
2006 Two Blondes Red, 92+ Robert Parker , 92 Stephen Tanzer
2006 Ciel du Cheval Red 93 Robert Parker, 93 Stephen Tanzer
2007 Ciel du Cheval Red 92 Stephen Tanzer, Robert 94 Parker
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley (just released)