See Which Chefs Join Aaron Franklin, Kevin Fink, Evan LeRoy, Edgar Rico & More at Hot Luck This Fall
The Austin food and music festival will bring live-fire cooking to Franklin Barbecue and Assembly Hall on Oct. 16-17
Hot Luck has revealed the first round of chefs participating in its Oct. 16-17 festival, bringing together prominent Austin restaurant talent and visiting chefs from across the country. The two-day event will return with its familiar combination of live-fire cooking, drinks and live music at Franklin Barbecue and Assembly Hall. More chefs, musical performers and festival programming will be announced in the coming months.
“The best part of Hot Luck has always been getting a bunch of incredibly talented people together and letting them cook, play music, and have a good time,” co-founder Aaron Franklin said in a recent statement. “Every year takes on a life of its own, and we’re looking forward to welcoming everybody back to Austin this October.”
Hot Luck’s 2026 Chef Lineup
The first 21 participating chefs are:
- Aaron Bludorn, Bludorn
- Becky Masson, Fluff Bake Bar
- Bob Somsith, Lao’d Bar
- Calvin Eng, Bonnie’s
- Caroline Glover, Annette
- Deau Arpapornnopparat, Holy Basil
- Edgar Rico, Nixta Taqueria
- Emil Oliva, Leche de Tigre
- Ernest Servantes, Burnt Bean Co.
- Evan LeRoy, LeRoy & Lewis Barbecue
- Fermín Núñez, Este
- Hayden Higginbothem Perez, Paprika
- Kevin Fink, Emmer & Rye
- Kyle Knall, Birch
- Lawrence “LT” Smith, Chilte
- Mago Perez, Paprika
- Mariela Camacho, Comadre Panadería
- Mason Hereford, Turkey and the Wolf
- Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Canje
- Todd Duplechan, Lenoir and Dovetail Pizza
- Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel, Birdie’s
Hot Luck gives chefs room to step outside their restaurant menus and create dishes specifically for the festival. For guests, the walk-around format offers a chance to sample food from several chefs in one evening and discover restaurants they may not have visited.
Giddy Up at Franklin Barbecue
The festival begins with Giddy Up from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at Franklin Barbecue, 900 E. 11th St.
Inspired by backyard gatherings and communal meals, the event will feature chefs serving original bites in a stroll-and-sample format built around live-fire cooking. After Giddy Up, Whole Enchilada pass holders will receive complimentary admission to the festival’s main music showcase at Mohawk. The performers will be announced later.
House Party at Assembly Hall
House Party will take place from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Assembly Hall, 1121 E. Seventh St., featuring dozens of dishes from participating chefs, along with drinks and live music.
The $349 Whole Enchilada Pass includes admission to Giddy Up, early entry to House Party, complimentary admission to the Mohawk showcase and access to additional participating music venues throughout the weekend.
Families can also purchase a $700 Family Pack, which includes two adult Whole Enchilada passes and two passes for guests age 20 and younger, while attendees ages 13 to 20 can purchase a $100 Youngster Pass.
Hot Luck’s First Festival Under People Inc.
This will be Hot Luck’s first festival since People Inc. announced its acquisition in June. Franklin, Mohawk owner James Moody and Mike Thelin founded Hot Luck in 2017. Franklin and Moody will remain involved and “help guide its future growth and maintain its unique character,” according to the release.
People Inc.’s live-event portfolio also includes the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, the Food & Wine Classic in Charleston and Southern Living’s Hill Country Tailgate, which will debut in Fredericksburg this fall.
Hot Luck will continue its partnership with the Southern Smoke Foundation, which provides assistance to food and beverage workers facing medical crises, natural disasters, childcare expenses, housing instability and other urgent needs.
Tickets are now on sale through the Hot Luck website.
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