La Dolce Vita
Texas history museum transforms into celebration of San Antonio food scene
It's not often that a history museum plays host to Texas' best foodie fête, but that's exactly what happened on April 10, when CultureMap hosted our annual Tastemaker Awards ceremony at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin.
Before the doors opened, VIP guests toasted this year's nominees with custom cocktails while sampling specially curated bites from Austin's Juniper, home to Rising Star Chef Amanda Turner.
Once the party officially kicked off, the chic crowd entered through the museum's main rotunda, high-heels and cowboy boots alike clapping across the beautiful mosaic floor. Like most years, the bar was the first stop for most guests, who sipped custom cocktails from Woodford Reserve, wine from Sonoma-Cutrer Winery, Korbel champagne, and brews from Deep Ellum Brewing and Alaskan Brewing Co.
Those looking for something with a little less kick enjoyed the ice-cold Topo Chico station (a must on the city's first 90-degree day) and Acqua Panna.
As DJ La Moon spun tunes, partygoers drifted into the main tasting room, a roundup of Austin and San Antonio's hottest restaurants. Representing San Antonio was The Jerk Shack, which ended up claiming the city's Best New Restaurant prize. The Alamo City hot spot shelled out a spicy shrimp and grits dish that proved why the restaurant deserved the top prize.
Austin eateries Loro served up ribs, a must-have for meat-eating diners, while Kemuri Tatsuya dished out their version of a deviled egg — a delightful Japanese twist on the American picnic staple.
Upstairs at the dessert bar, diners were treated to sweet treats, including a scrumptious strawberry macaron from Bakery Lorraine and a to-die-for banana and Nutella cookie from newbie bakery ThroughBread.
In total, more than two dozen restaurants took part in the festivities, including Asador, Ciclo and Live Oak, Dean's One Trick Pony, Discada, District Kitchen+Cocktails,Garrison at Fairmont Austin, Foreign & Domestic, Le Politique, Malibu Poke, Otoko, Pitchfork Pretty, Range, Rosemary's Catering, Rosewood, She's Not Here, Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery, Sugarfina, Taco Deli, The Brewer's Table, The Switch Cafe, and VaqueroTaquero. Together, these eateries perfectly illustrated the depth and breadth of Austin and San Antonio's rich culinary scenes.
Sadly, not everyone could be a winner. Emcee and CBS We Are Austin anchor Taylor Ellison led the crowd through a lightning-fast awards ceremony (arguably the best kind).
San Antonio's all-star duo Diego Galicia and Rico Torres claimed the crown for San Antonio Chef(s) of the Year, making their way through a rollicking crowd to accept their award. Meanwhile, The Cookhouse, chef Pieter Sypesteyn's ode to all things Creole, earned the title of San Antonio Restaurant of the Year.
Chef Michael Fojtasek and his restaurant, Olamaie, took home Austin Chef of the Year and Restaurant of the Year, respectively. Accepting on his behalf was Erin Ashford, Olamaie's bar manager and last year's winner for Bartender of the Year.
And speaking of Bartender of the Year, the 2019 winner, Caer Ferguson, had the most memorable award acceptance of the night, dropping her glass plate. She was fine, her lively fellow nominees were delighted, and the Tastemaker Awards had yet another memorable evening.
Joining CultureMap in a collective toast to the winners were local luminaries and restaurant industry bigwigs like Kelly Stocker, Moshmee Kalamkar, Rachael Duffy, Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Jade Reyes, Rose Duran, Matthew Bolick, Valentina Salazar, Lindsey LeRoy and Evan LeRoy, Chadwick Leger and Rachelle Fox, Priscilla Rodriguez, Darlene Fiske, Jaden Felix, Jamie Sosa, Patrick Ferrell and Danica Ferrell, Mary Foulse, Taylor Morrissey, and Grant Weckerly.
- Patrick Ferrell and Danica Ferrell enjoying cocktails by El Jimador.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Pastry Chef of the Year nominee Melissa Carroll of Le Politique.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Dessert cups by Rosemary's Catering.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Samantha Jakabowski and Sarah Sausen enjoying bubbles from the Korbel champagne Bubble Bar.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Pickled quail eggs by Restaurant of the Year nominee Pitchfork Pretty.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- The team from Loro preps ribs for guests.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Tomato salad from Best New Restaurant nominee Rosewood.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- The Gold Rush cocktail featuring Woodford Reserve bourbon, honey syrup, and lemon juice.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Nicole Feguson and Caitlin Robertson.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Devlied eggs by Kemuri Tatsu-Ya.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Tanzi Tabasson and Nathan Smith.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Pork belly bicol express by Best New Restaurant nominees She's Not Here.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Brews from Deep Ellum Brewing and Alaskan Brewing Co. kept partygoers buzzing all night long.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Carribean jerk shrimp and grits by Best New Restaurant San Antonio winners The Jerk Shack.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Andrew Goodman, Philip Mihalik, Brad Bertram, Terez Percenti, Lee Percenti, and Dave Hur.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- The Brewer's Table.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Best New Restaurant Austin winners Discada rolled out a signature taco.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Alejandra Troncoso and Anthony Martucci having fun in the photo booth.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Chadwick Leger and Rachelle Fox from Bar of the Year nominee Cavalier.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- DJ La Moon spun tunes for guests.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Taylor Morrissey and Grant Weckerly.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Dave Hetherington, Cece Hetherington, and Isa Hetherington.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Mary Foulse dances to the tunes of DJ La Moon.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Mike Brewer and Brian Wessels of Austin Beerworks — a Brewery of the Year nominee.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Best New Restaurant in Austin winners, Discada.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- The team at Asador prepares tacos for guests.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Jaden Felix and Jamie Sosa.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Valentina Salazar and Priscilla Rodriguez.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Jade Reyes and Rose Duran.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Emcee Taylor Ellis.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Rising Star winner Amanda Turner of Juniper.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Favorite Taco winners Vaquero Taquero.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Best New Restaurant San Antonio winners The Jerk Shack.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- The Landliners closed out the night.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Can't wait to see you all at Tastemakers 2020!Photo by Shelley Neuman