Don't bother going out to a restaurant on the evening of Thursday, March 31. The Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival is stealing away our state's 25 best chefs for its annual Stars Across Texas Classic tasting event, taking place at the Long Center. The night will be headlined by John Besh, who recently brought his acclaimed southern Louisiana-style cuisine to Texas in his newest restaurant, Lüke River Walk in San Antonio. To give you an idea of how top-notch the evening's food promises to be, Chef Besh received the James Beard Award for Best Chef of the Southeast, which is basically the food equivalent of an Oscar. Oh, also? He beat Mario Batali for the title of "Iron Chef America." more ›

If the "sip and stroll" food event is your thing, there is no higher level to this experience than Stars Across Texas. It's always one of the top nights of the year for foodies, and many of the wine and restaurant industry's top talents will be on hand to show off their latest creations. Adding to this year's intrigue is a relocation from the Hilton downtown to the more dramatic environs of The Long Center. more ›

We sat down with Blank one morning at Hudson’s last week - sunlight filtering in through the wine glasses which stood at silent attention during these rare peaceful moments before the deliveries and phone calls begin, and long before the first customer touches lip to fork. Despite his multiple accolades, you will find no pretention here: Blank emerges from the kitchen, suntanned and smiling, to sit down and chat with Austinist in the midst of the Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival. more ›

As Elvis Costello once said: "Oh, I just don't know where to begin." How does one describe Austin's best food and wine event of the year? Let us simply say that if you're a foodie, and you don't plan to attend this...perhaps your credentials should be revoked. This is prom night, homecoming, and the big game all in one. The top wineries are pouring. The best restaurants in the state are competing to one up each other. And the sheer volume of it all is overwhelming. Stars Across Texas is the marquee event of the festival, an expensive but amazing feast for your palate featuring everything that's great about Texas food and international wine and spirits. more ›