Social Hour: Junior League of Austin Hosts Their 8th Annual Austin Entertains Event
This unique culinary event celebrated Women’s History Month through its focus on female chefs and industry leaders in the food and beverage scene
On Thursday, March 7, the Junior League of Austin (JLA) hosted the 8th Austin Entertains Event at the organization’s headquarters in Northwest Austin. Austin Entertains has served as the spring fundraising event for JLA since 2017 and has become the “who’s who” for women in the Central Texas food and beverage scene.
This unique culinary event kicks off Women’s History Month through its focus on female chefs, bartenders, spirit purveyors, and industry leaders from the Austin area’s most recognized and awarded restaurants, bars, breweries, wineries, and distilleries.
At the event, JLA announced the winners of Austin Entertains’ annual Culinary Fellowship, including two monetary grants and a professional services package to help develop and advance the winner’s career in the culinary field. A total of $12,500 was awarded to Anna Claire Eddington of Open Eye Chai and Jen D. Rodriguez of 3 Small Plates Catering. Tara Godby of Teakeasy received the professional services package (valued at over $12,900).
Guests helped award an additional $1,500 through on-site fan favorite voting. The winners were Krystyna Cibelli-Pettus for Best Savory Bite, Patricia Bedford with Suga’s Cakery for Best Sweet Bite, and the inaugural Best Sip was awarded to Marisa Williams of Momo’s Michelada.
Proceeds from the event will benefit JLA’s signature programs including Food In Tummies (FIT), which combats food insecurity in the Austin area by distributing bags of food to elementary-aged children in Del Valle ISD. The fundraising impact is equivalent to 24,000+ backpacks of food or 24+ weeks of FIT backpacks!
Along with sampling incredible food and beverages throughout the night, the 450+ guests experienced many exciting activations and entertainment.
The event left no one out with options to “Take Home a Slice of Austin Entertains” which included fun take-home dinner kits. The Primrose School sponsored dinner kits included a make-at-home 14″ pizza from Suds Monkey, a cookie paint kit from Blue Goo Bakery, flavored SmartWater, popcorn, and a children’s activity from Art of Dough for a night at home with the whole family.