Edible Austin's Eat Drink Local Week kicks off December 3rd

The first week of December (December 3-December 10) has been blocked on my calendar for almost a year now.  I've been waiting with anticipation for the 5th Annual Edible Austin Eat Drink Local Week - a weeklong exploration and celebration of Central Texas farms, restaurants, chefs and artisans who support our local food system.  The proceeds of this exciting week benefit two vital non-profits on our local food scene: Sustainable Food Center and Urban Roots.  Forget Thanksgiving and Christmas, this is Austin Farm to Table's big holiday.  

This year's festivities kick off on Saturday, December 3rd with the Urban Farm Bicycle Tour led by Bicycle Sport Shop and wrap-up on Saturday, December 10th with Local Brew Fest at Black Star Co-op (which I'm helping plan).  In between, you can participate in a pig roast at Springdale Farm, a coffee and chocolate festival, a holiday gift fair, and Drink Local Night.  You can also hear the wisdom of sustainability pioneers Wendell Berry and Wes Jackson or enjoy a feast and a movie at Alamo Drafthouse.  

Saturday, December 3, 9am: Urban Farm Bicycle Tour. Tickets: $30, kids under 16 are free.

Saturday, December 3, 10am: Edible Austin Eat Drink Local Week Kick-Off at SFC Downtown Farmers' Market.  Free event.
Saturday, December 3, 4pm-7pm: Pig Roast and Harvest Dinner at Springdale Farm. Tickets: $30
Sunday, December 4, 11am-3pm: Coffee and Chocolate Festival at Texas Coffee Traders. Tickets: $25.
Sunday, December 4, 1pm: An Afternoon with Wendell Berry and Wes Jackson at Statestide at the Paramount. Tickets: $35.
Sunday, December 4,  8pm: An Evening with Wendell Berry and Wes Jackson at Stateside at the Paramount.  This event is sold out.
Monday, December 5, 7pm: Alamo BeneFeast: Moonstruck at Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar. Tickets: $75.
Wednesday, December 7, 4pm-9pm: Better Bites of Austin Holiday Fair.  Admission is free.
Thursday, December 8, 6:30pm-9:30pm: Drink Local Night and Official Drink of Austin Cocktail Contest at The Carillon.  Tickets: $35.
Sunday, December 10, 1pm-5pm: Local Brew Fest at Black Star Co-op. Tickets: $20.

Unless otherwise specified, you can buy your tickets for all Edible Austin Eat Drink Local Week on the Edible Austin site or at the SFC Downtown or Triangle Farmers Market through December 3rd.  If you are planning to attend several of the events, consider buying a VIP pass which gets you into all events except Wendell Berry and the Alamo Benefeast and also grants you priority access. 

If you prefer a quiet dinner over bustling events, you can also participate by dining at one of restaurants that will be featuring a special local dish that week.   Check the website as the event draws closer to view the featured dish for the week.

Participating Restaurants Include:ASTI Trattoria
Barley Swine
Buenos Aires Café
Chez Nous
Cipollina
Contigo
Eastside Café
East Side Pies
East Side Show Room [Austin Farm to Table profile]
Fabi + Rosi
Fete Accompli [Austin Farm to Table profile]
FINO Restaurant Patio & Bar [Austin Farm to Table profile]
Food 4 Fitness Cafe
Green Pastures Restaurant
Guero’s
Home Slice Pizza
HopDoddy
Jack Allen’s Kitchen [Austin Farm to Table profile]
Judge’s Hill Restaurant
Kerbey Lane Café Central, South & Northwest 

La Condesa

The Leaning Pear 

Manuels

Moonshine Patio Bar and Grill 

Olivia [Austin Farm to Table profile]

Peoples Rx

Sagra

Shoreline Grill 

Snack Bar [Austin Farm to Table profile]

Taco Deli Central, North and South

Tacos and Tequila

TRACE

Uchi

Uchiko [Austin Farm to Table profile]
Urban an American Grill
Wink [Austin Farm to Table profile]

Also new this year is an Online Chef Dinner Auction featuring eight of Austin’s favorite chefs. Bid on a chance to have a celebrity chef come to your  home or private venue for a memorable dinner for eight of your closest friends and family. 

Needless to say, there is no shortage of ways for you to participate in Edible Austin Eat Drink Local Week and support Sustainable Food Center and Urban Roots.  Find what fits you best and buy your tickets or make your reservations today. 

See you at Eat Drink Local Week!

Disclaimer: While I am a contributor to Edible Austin and am helping plan the Local Brew Fest, they did not ask me to write this post.