You Ready for Some Chili, Austin? Good, Because We’re About to Have a Cook-Off.

It’s that time of year in Texas, when chili is all anyone thinks about (er, is that just us?). Hold on to that feeling, because Jo’s 18th Annual Chili Cook-Off is coming on February 2, put on by Hotel San José and Jo’s Coffee. The best part: entry is free (just sign up to attend). However, plan to open your pocketbook anyway to support a good cause because this year’s proceeds will benefit Free Lunch, an organization that combats food insecurity in Austin. In addition to the opportunity to sample some great chili, it’s going to have a quick fire competition, music from special guests and the Jo’s house band, and a raffle.

A chance to explore African cuisine from the diaspora

The Diaspora Food Market will be open this Saturday, January 18, in Leander, Texas. It focuses on the foods of the African diaspora, including foods such as jerk spiced ribs, TCH crispy chicken, Caribbean house wings, jerk chicken with chef-made fried rice, Cuban sandwiches, yuca-loaded fries, beef and shrimp empanadas, steak sandwiches, pan con lechón, feijoada, Brazilian cheese bread, and passion fruit mousse. Tickets are free, just sign up at the link above.

Gumbo me, please

Tamale House East is hosting it’s annual gumbo pop-up this weekend on Sunday, January 19 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. RL Reeves Jr., who is also known as Scrumptious Chef, will make the journey from New Orleans to cook, and the food offerings will include roasted duck gumbo, crawfish etouffee, shrimp fondeaux, bread pudding with rum sauce, and a curated selection of New Orleans cocktails (yup, that includes frozen daiquiris). Entertainment will come from the jazz band Scrapelli.

This one’s for you, Bloody Mary lovers

The Bloody Mary Festival will hit Austin on Saturday, March 22 and tickets are available now. This very bespoke fest highlights a cocktail that can’t be constrained by brunch alone. Attendees will be able to sample the offerings from local cocktail makers and vote on a People’s Choice Award winner, while a judging panel will crown the city’s best. Some proceeds will benefit an Austin charity, Girls Empowerment Network.

The Bloody Mary Festival