A Taste of Tastemakers
Texas foodies get their fill at best Tastemakers party yet
A huge crowd gathered at the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin on April 19 for the annual CultureMap Tastemaker Awards, our big event celebrating the top food and beverage talent in Austin and San Antonio.
Almost 800 foodies attended the swanky tasting event. It all culminated in an awards ceremony, emceed by beloved Texas chef Tim Love, in which the night's big winners were revealed.
Attendees noshed on bites from San Antonio's own Boiler House Texas Grill and Wine Garden, as well as Austin's 827Ray's Kitchen + Cellar, Cannon + Belle, Culinary Dropout, Emmer & Rye, Geraldine's, Grizzelda's, Juniper, Lonesome Dove Western Bistro, Old Thousand, Parkside, Ritual (Houston), Rosemary's Catering, Salt Traders Coastal Cooking, Sophia's, Swift's Attic, Uchiko, and Wu Chow. A Sweet Suite featured treats from Chocolaterie Tessa, General Tso'Boy, The Cupcake Bar, Spread & Co., and Sugarfina.
Craft cocktails incorporating Woodford Reserve were flowing at the main bars, and the Bartender Showcase featured signature drinks from Natalie Mauser-Carter of Backbeat, Dennis Gobis of The Roosevelt Room, and Angela Zamora of Stay Gold, all of Austin. Wine from Sonoma-Cutrer and beer from Oskar Blues Brewery, Alaskan Brewing Co., and SweetWater Brewing Company rounded out the bar options. An Illy coffee bar got folks caffeinated, and Topo Chico kept them hydrated.
Nominees were treated to an exclusive lounge courtesy of Korbel, which featured free bubbly and swag bags filled with goodies from Jack Black Skincare, Kettle & Brine, Krave Jerky, Liber & Co., Nina Berenato Jewelry, Outdoor Voices, SoulCycle, Whole Foods Market, and Woodford Reserve.
A fun photo booth helmed by Ben Porter Photography and powered by Whole Foods Market had everyone smiling. Across the room, Priv pampered guests with fun, foodie nail art. The best part? Ten percent of the proceeds from the Tastemaker Awards supports the Austin Food & Wine Alliance.
Spotted in the crowd: Pedro Cuéllar, Geronimo Lopez, Jeff White, Tyson Cole, Kevin Fink, Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Page Pressley, David Baek, James Dumapit, Abby Love, Jack Gilmore, Bill Norris, Billy Hankey,Justin Lavenue, Mark Sparacino, Paula Collins, Alexis Cawley, Simon Cawley, Stephanie Samuels, Kim Fuller, Kayluis Peña, Mary Verhaeghe, Dani Verhaeghe, Lizzy Verhaeghe, Shaun Monforte, William Jackson,Gabby Cikota, Stacy Hubrath, Holli Young, Hayden Walker, Misty Journey, Faez Khan, Melissa Kuo, Rebecca Kan, Craig Beveridge, Sarah O'Brien, Thien-Y Hoang, Melissa Grady, Torie Gehrig, W.H. Harris, and Marie Smyth.
- Mary Verhaeghe, Dani Verhaeghe, Lizzy Verhaeghe, and Shaun Monforte.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Gabby Cikota, Justin Lavenue, Stacy Hubrath, and Holli Young.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Kim Fuller and Kayluis Peña.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Paula Collins, Alexis Cawley, Simon Cawley, and Stephanie Samuels.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- W.H. Harris and Marie Smyth have fun in the Whole Foods Market's photo booth.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Restaurant of the Year winner Emmer & Rye.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Restaurant of the Year nominee Uchiko.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- A delicious spread from Spread & Co.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Burger with Blueberry Jam from Lonesome Dove.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Sweets from The Cupcake Bar.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Dennis Gobis (Bartender of the Year nominee) of The Roosevelt Room serves up his drink, Swear Like a Saler.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Executive Chef Mark Sparacino of Best New Restaurant winner Sophia's serves up pasta.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Natalie Mauser-Carter of Backbeat serves up her drink, the Fruit Exchange.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Best New Restaurant nominee Grizzelda's.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Angela Zamora of Stay Gold serves up her drink, Sherri Valence.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Tomatillo gazpacho from Swift's Attic.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Best New Restaurant nominee Cannon + Belle.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Pickled shrimp with lemon creme fraiche from Best New Restaurant nominee Salt Traders Coastal Cooking.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Sarah O'Brien, Thien-Y Hoang, Melissa Grady, and Torie Gehrig.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Guests gather at the Bob Bullock Museum for the 2017 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Faez Khan, Melissa Kuo, Rebecca Kan, and Craig Beveridge.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Emcee Tim Love announces the winners.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Rising Star Chefs of the Year winners David Baek and James Dumapit.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Austin Restaurant of the Year winner Emmer & Rye.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Brewery of the Year winner Hops & Grain Brewing.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Pastry Chef of the Year winner Abby Love of Dai Due.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Wine Program of the Year winner Bufalina.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- Hayden Walker and Misty Journey.Photo by Shelley Neuman
- A guest receives a "Mouthwatering Manicure" from Priv.Photo by Shelley Neuman