Eat Local Week in Austin

by Jose Ralat Maldonado, Posted Dec 14th 2009 @ 4:00PM

eat local austin marquee Paramount Marquee in Austin. Photo: Dustin Meyer.

Austin's unofficial motto, "Keep Austin Weird," should be changed to "Keep Austin Eating Local." It's a locavorism hot spot surrounded by the verdant Texas Hill Country. Restaurants like Olivia and Cipollina have made a name for themselves by supporting area farms and offering seasonal fare. Is it a stretch that there is an annual celebration of local foods? Surely not!

The festival, Eat Local Week, is a series of functions spearheaded by Edible Austin magazine, which aims to raise awareness of the abundant Central Texas victuals. For seven days (Dec. 5-12), folks sample eats from participating restaurants, can tour farms on bicycles and raise funds for Urban Roots, a youth charity. Herein, a recap of events.

Already event-goers have munched on grass-fed, beef-stuffed chard rolls at Eastside Cafe, duck eggs from Learning Pear and Loncito's lamb tacos at Tacodeli. "We are actively trying to expand eaters' palates to try things they might not have ever eaten before (like bacon-wrapped lamb heart at Olivia)," says Marla Camp, publisher of Edible Austin.

Participants had the chance to catch a screening of "FRESH" with a preceding reception. Later, a formal meal accompanied a showing of "Julie & Julia." Movie-goers dined on five courses, including boneless pate-stuffed duck breast en croute, potatoes Lyonnaise and grilled endives drizzled with black truffle oil.

Addie Broyles, the Austin American-Statesman food writer, is the grand dame of Austin food. About the "FRESH" screening reception, she said, "It was incredible. Chef Mark Spedale of Primizie Osteria served a succulent bite of Loncito's Lamb with a mint leaf and cheese, and Kerbey Lane Cafe had pulled pork nachos with a smokey bleu cheese sauce."

FINO held the Balcones Distillery dinner Wednesday with distiller Chip Tate, bringing Baby Blue Whiskey Rumble. Pork belly, scallops, paella and almond frangipane were also on the menu.

Camp said Eat Local Week "is really about meeting and celebrating the people who make, grow, cook and produce the local foods and drinks, so that 'knowing where your food comes from' takes on a more social and personal meaning." Broyles agrees and takes it further: "It is a concentrated example of what goes on here all year long."

Beer geeks congregated on a cold and rainy Friday, Dec. 11 at Meet Your Local Brewers Happy Hour, sponsored by Whip In Parlour Cafe & Market, listening to Austin musicians and sipping sudsy offerings from local breweries, including Live Oak, (512) and Independence. Texas Cuban and MMMpanadas provided some of the grub.

The culmination of Eat Local Week was held Saturday, Dec. 12. The Media Celebrity Local Cook-off, an "Iron Chef"-style bout at the downtown Austin Farmers Market, was judged by farmers, Urban Roots youths and mediarati, including Broyles. The winner, Bryan Beck, wowed with a Holiday Take on Steak with South Austin Citrus Salad -- a rolled fajita steak with spinach, onions, herbs, mushroom and goat cheese, with a salad comprised tangerine, orange and grapefruit.

Camp sees nothing but the positive growth for Eat Local Week. "We will definitely surpass last year's $25,000. We expect this event to keep growing in terms of its ability to raise money for Urban Roots and to raise awareness for local food and food makers."

Filed Under: Food Politics, Events
Tags: Addie Broyles, Austin, Austin restaurants, Eat Local Week, Edible Austin, EdibleAustin, locavore, Marla Camp, MarlaCamp

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

12-14-2009 @4:50PM Addie Broyles said... Marla Camp does such an incredible job with Eat Local Week. I doubt there is a harder working sustainable food advocate in Austin. Thanks, Jose, for capturing how much fun we've been having for Slashfood!

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12-14-2009 @4:55PM Australian Woman said... I have to agree. Austin, TX has some of the best and eclectic local food. Magnolia Cafe and Kerbey Lane are open 24 hours and have some of the best original food in Austin.
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12-14-2009 @10:00PM cathy said... It won't take much to keep Austin weird, that is infinitely part of its charm. http://newsy1.wordpress.com
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12-15-2009 @12:50PM JRalat said... One of my favorite newish Austin restaurants is Frank. Their Jackalope dog is fantastic: rabbit-antelope sausage with huckleberry compote, sriracha aoili and applewood smoked cheddar. While the Jackalope is made nearby in downtown, the other offerings are made in-house from local suppliers.
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