The sun was not shining the Saturday morning of Al Fuego. As staff and chefs arrived to begin setting up the largest, most ambitious event of Hot Luck, the gray sky turned black and quickly dumped a heavy rain on Wild Onion Ranch. But as the saying goes, the show must go on, and go on it did. Everyone worked hard to dry things off and get the grounds ready for this one of a kind food event. Soon the sun was shining and guests were in for some real treats!
The idea was simple: what if you went to the biggest and best gourmet tailgate party, featuring foods all cooked over a live fire. That’s what Al Fuego was, right in the heart of Austin on the sprawling Wild Onion Ranch grounds. Attendees could pick from over twenty-five grill and fire stations, from in-ground pits to twenty-foot smokers. Chefs from around Texas and the US showed up to char up some goodness.
Joshua Pinsky and Matthew Rudofker represented New York’s own Momofuku. Adam Perry Lang of APL Restaurant added some LA flavors into the mix. Top Chef’s Issaac Toups and wife Amanda Toups brought their cajun flair all the way from New Orleans. And the pacific northwest was well-represented by Andy Ricker of Pok Pok and Nong Poonsukwattana of Nong's Khao Man Gai, both of Portland. And the rockies were covered by Justin Brunson of Old Major in Denver.
Another Top Chef alum, John Tesar, came down from Dallas to bring the stylings of his Knife at The Highland to central Texas. Houstonites Chris Shepherd of Underbelly and Rebecca Masson of Fluff Bake Bar made the trek to Austin with their signature dishes. Our neighbors down I-35 in San Antonio, Steve McHugh from Cured and Laura Loomis of Two Bros BBQ Market, came out to feed hungry guests and friends.
Last but far from least, a veritable murderers row of unstoppable local Austin chefs cooked up their finest all day long. There was Tatsu Aikawa from the nationally praised new Kemuri Tatsu-Ya; Bryce Gilmore from mainstay Odd Duck; Laura Sawicki from East Side hot spot Launderette; Jesse Griffiths from butcher shop and restaurant Dai Due; and Todd Duplechan from the 04’s Lenoir. South Austin BBQ was going strong thanks to Miguel Vidal of Valentinas Tex Mex BBQ; the North Burnet ‘hood was covered by Philip Speer of Bonhomie and nearby Épicerie by Sarah McIntosh; Andrew Wiseheart brought Manor’s Contigo tastes to the grounds, while the ever-changing Rainey neighborhood was covered by Kevin Fink of Emmer and Rye and Stephen Bonin of Geraldine’s. As if that weren’t enough, attendees were treated to tastes from Chad Dolezal of The Hightower, Jason Stude from Boiler Nine and Michael Paley from Central Standard.
Let it be said: if ever you wanted to take a bite out of Austin in one go, Al Fuego was the place to do it.
Of course, any Central Texan knows it’s not just about the food; no festival is complete without a few drinks. Lone Star was on hand at nearly every corner of Wild Onion Ranch to help guests wash down all the delicious bites on offer. Duchman Winery, Charles & Charles and Charles Bieler, K. Vintners and Montinore Estate kept the wine flowing for everyone. Buffalo Trace was offering up whiskey concoctions, while Tequila Herradura, Deep Eddy Vodka and Martine Honeysuckle Liqueur rounded out the spirits. Austin Eastciders, Hops and Grain and Independence Brewing had their own cold drinks to share. Flor De Caña even tapped a very special twelve year old barrel-aged rum for tasting. And those seeking a bit of caffeine could find coffee slushies and special cold-brew cans made special for the occasion from Stumptown Coffee.
That extra jolt was perhaps necessary for some, as the Hot Luck party was just getting revved up. After Al Fuego, attendees could either check out Black Joe Lewis at Barracuda or be whisked away to Hawaii, TX at Weather Up. More on those events coming soon!
Blog: Jonathan Poritsky // Production: J.Standard Events // Venue: The Wild Onion Ranch // Tents & Rentals: Marquee Events // Music: Jim Bradford, “Heart & Soul Sound System” // Lighting: Ilios // Sound: ATXES // Security: Cerberus // Power: Event Power ATX // Creative Team: Guerilla Suit // Media Partner: Giant Noise // Photographers: Alison Narro :: @alisonnarro // Pooneh Ghana :: @poonehghana // Jackie Lee Young :: @jackieleeyoung // Carly Diaz :: @carly.e.diaz // Sarah Natsumi :: @sarahnatsumi