Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival 2010 Preview

On Monday, we headed over to the Whole Foods Culinary Center for a media preview of the Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival‘s 25th Season. It was surprisingly low key, especially after getting so trashed the fun we had with former President Debbie Sheffield at the Bubble and Boots event last fall.  Although not as crazy, it was still a good time.  We were super impressed with the cake sculptures: A barrel of wine cake from Whole Foods and a knockout Beef Wellington cake from Le Cordon Bleu School of the Texas Culinary Academy.

While at the event, we chatted with original founder Susan Auler and her son, Chad, who will be taking the reigns this year for the 25th season. Susan started the event 25 years ago to celebrate the growing sophistication of the culinary arts in Texas. Although just a teen, Chad helped out at the first event, so it’s only fitting that he continue the legacy for this silver anniversary.

For those of you who couldn’t get enough of Debbie in the Bubbles and Boots video, she makes a cameo in this video. We’re looking forward to her event “The Grape Escape” during the Festival. Held at the Driskill, this event will be NO grapes, just some of the top mixologists in the state competing to create the cocktail for the 25th anniversary. With Debbie hosting, you know it’s gonna be OTC!

WATCH: In the 3.5-minute video, Chris tries to get THCWFF founder Susan Auler and her son Chad to show us their best grape stomp, chews on a Beef Wellington cake, and runs into our friend Debbie Sheffield (and gets SCHOOLED!).

BONUS: Tickets for Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival’s big Sunday Fair (Sunday, April 18th, 2010) atare being offered at a special $25 rate until Monday, February 1st, 2010. Since it’s usually $45, I’d snatch those little babies up. This year’s event is gonna be at the Salt Lick’s new vineyard! Get tickets here.

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