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Austin Restaurant Emmer & Rye’s New Pop Up Emmeroni’s Pairs Chefs for Charities

The new Italian-inspired menu with a Texas twist is in the spirit of collaboration and giving back

It’s been a busy year for the team at Emmer & Rye. First, their Basque-style social bar Kalimotxo opened in November. Then owners Kevin Fink and Tavel Bristol-Joseph celebrated their own culinary victories: Fink was nominated as a James Beard Award finalist and Bristol-Joseph was recently named as one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs of 2020. 

And just when you think they might have enough on their plates – including running five highly-acclaimed restaurants while dealing with an industry crisis – they’ve created yet another exciting venture that is as collaborative as it is charitable.

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It starts with Emmeroni’s, the team’s latest pop-up menu which offers summery, Italian-inspired fare. Their classics feature a Texas twist, like focaccia garlic bread and velvety-smooth spumoni cheesecake. Additionally, Emmer & Rye will team up with a different Austin chef each week to create a new dish, available for one day only. 

Chefs and co-owners Tavel Bristol-Joseph and Kevin Fink have a long history of giving back to the community. Photo by Mackenzie Smith Kelley.

“Austin is home to so many talented chefs,” says Fink of the announcement. “The COVID-19 times have bonded us all and we all want to cook together, doing what we love, to help support our community.” 

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Launching on July 23rd, the team’s first collaboration was with East Austin’s Nixta Taqueria, which crafted a mouthwatering sammie that completely sold out. Next up is Chef Grae Nonas of Le Cowboy, who is himself a James Beard nominee and previous Food & Wine Best New Chef. Following their lead will be Natalie Gazui, on August 6; Steven Dilley of Bufalina, on August 13; Fermín Núñez of Suerte, on August 20; Miguel Vidal of Valentina’s Tex Mex, on August 27; and Gabe Erales of Comedor, on September 3.

Calabrian Chicken Breast available on Emmer & Rye’s pop-up menu, Emmeroni’s.

But these meals go far beyond the food. Proceeds from each sale will go to three charities that are helping local communities, including Youth Rise Texas, Southern Smoke and Bristol-Joseph’s very own, The Tavel Bristol Joseph Scholarship. This newly established grant was made alongside the Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce, allowing young chefs to pursue their dreams regardless of racial barriers or financial burden and ensuring greater representation in the culinary field.

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Available on their charming patio or to go, view Emmeroni’s full menu and catch a fresh collab every Thursday at emmerandrye.com.