Food & Wine Magazine And C3 Announce Austin Food And Wine Festival
C3, producers of the Austin City Limits Festival and Lollapalooza, are joining with James Beard Award-winning chef Tyson Cole (Uchi) and Iron Chef Tim Love (The Lonesome Dove Western Bistro), as well as restaurateur Jesse Herman (La Condesa), to put on the Austin Food & Wine Festival, which will take the place of the 26-year-strong Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival.
As Chef Love put it, "We want to make sure they know how we do it in Texas. Everyone already knows we do everything bigger, but we also do it a helluva lot better."
Mark your calendar for the inaugural Austin Food & Wine Festival, March 30 - April 1, 2012. It will be kind of like the ACL or SXSW of food -- attracting foodies from all over the country to various festival events around town.
Though C3 is known for being a powerhouse in the music world, founding partner Charlie Jones noted at Tuesday's press announcement that food has always been a passion for the firm, which explains ACL's drool-worthy food court, comprised of more than 25 local eateries.
The Texas Hill Country Food & Wine Festival that we've come to know and love experienced its most successful year in 2011, and according to its president, Cathy Cochran-Lewis, the THCWFF is now morphing into a non-profit called the Austin Food & Wine Foundation, which will be the beneficiary of the Austin Food & Wine Festival and look to make a positive impact on the local food community.
When it comes to the world of culinary excellence, it's safe to say that Austin has earned a seat at the table. We're excited for the additional attention the Austin Food & Wine Festival will bring to the up-and-coming food scene we're proud to call home.
