If you live in San Antonio and you love food, listen up.
Ok let’s be real; everyone in San Antonio, listen up! Culinaria Festival Week is right around the corner (May 14-18) and trust me, you do not want to miss out. Last week the Culinaria team shared with me a detailed look at their upcoming events. As I listened, it was only fitting that I sipped the delicious “Culinaria Cocktail,” available throughout May at the Brooklynite Bar with proceeds benefiting Culinaria’s GIVE. Campaign. Now that’s a happy hour!
Unfamiliar with Culinaria? Allow me to fill you in. The non-profit organization works year-round to promote San Antonio’s food and wine community by awarding scholarships to culinary students, providing financial aid to chefs enduring personal hardships, and hosting food and wine events like San Antonio Restaurant Week, the 5K Wine and Beer Run and Festival Week.
Looking to get prepped for Culianaria Festival Week? SA Flavor has you covered with a breakdown of all the events! Browse through this list below, pick a few—or all—that you’d like to attend and check out the Culinaria site to purchase tickets online.
The Dinners
Next Wednesday through Friday, select restaurants (Cured, Umai Mi, Boiler House, etc.) will team up with expert winemakers to create an intimate, educational dinner for the lucky few who score a reservation. Visit Culinaria’s website for participating restaurants and menus.
Food Truck Event presented by H-E-B
Food trucks are a big deal in San Antonio. It seems every day there’s a hot new truck to try, and if you’re like me, you never have a clue where they’re located on any given day. Well we’re in luck! Next Thursday from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m., over 10 local food trucks will cruise on over to H-E-B at the Alon off of NW Military Street. Families are welcome to bring along lawn chairs and hang out in the parking lot while enjoying delicious food and drink.
At $10 for adults 21 and over, $5 for ages five to 21 and free for children under five, it’s a fair price for entry and beverages, including access to the H-E-B Wine Garden and beer selection. Food is well worth the extra cost with local favorites like Say She Ate, Duk Truck, and more. Find out the full list of participating food trucks by clicking here.
Becker Luncheon
What better way to spend a Friday afternoon than to enjoy an elegant luncheon at Becker Vineyards? Four local chefs will each prepare one course to be paired with wines from Becker Vineyards, Bending Branch Winery, Brennan Vineyards and Messina Hof Winery. Featured chefs include Tre Trattoria Downtown’s Chef Cullen Holle, the St. Anthony’s Chef Michael Mata, the Boiler House’s Chef Jeff White and Elaine Bicknell from Elaine’s Table. Tickets must be purchased in advance for $75.
Find Your Foodie Bliss with Chef David Gilbert
Sure, you may have tasted his delicious Southeast Asian Street Food at Tuk Tuk Taproom, but do you know the story behind Chef David Gilbert’s success? Head over to his Broadway restaurant on Friday, May 16 at 3:00 p.m. to learn how he became one of San Antonio’s favorite chefs (and James Beard Foundation Best Chef nominee!) and you just might find inspiration for your own foodie bliss. Tickets are $30.
The Best of Mexico
Anything involving margaritas and Mexican food is a done deal for me, so on Friday, May 16 from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. you’ll find me at La Cantera (near The Falls) for the Best of Mexico. Chefs from in and out of San Antonio will prepare authentic Mexican bites paired with tequila, cocktails, specialty beer and wine. Enjoy live music from Colao and check out the silent auction for your chance to head home with a prize. Tickets are $50 in advance or $65 at the door.
Taste Test Education … AKA The Seminar
Join Bar TBA on May 17 for a series of tastings and what I like to call “libation education.” The afternoon is broken up into four seminars—$30 each, or all four for $100.
Wine! Wine! Wine! is the first seminar at 11:00 a.m. geared toward, you guessed it, wine lovers! Learn about Texas’ growing wine market and how French grapes made their way to the Lone Star State, allowing Texas winemakers to compete in French Winemaking Competitions. Now that just begs for further explanation.
Next up is the Battle of the Sexes—for winemaking, that is. Be there by 12:30 p.m. to compare female winemakers with their male counterparts and decide who comes out on top.
Those of you looking for something more hands-on will want to show up for Wine Plus Cocktails at 2:00 p.m. Channel your inner mixologist and learn how to create cocktails that incorporate your favorite wine.
Think you’ll still be thirsty? Finish off the afternoon with a bourbon tasting hosted by Whiskey Ambassador and Small Batch Bourbon Expert Heather Jensen. You’ll learn about the art of crafting small batch bourbon, which takes a minimum of six years to age. Worth the wait? You be the judge.
The Grand Tasting and Bubble Room
Ladies, dust off your heels, and gentleman, whip out your best tie. The Grand Tasting and Bubble Room is as fancy, formal and “grand” as it sounds. Select local chefs and restaurants will bring their talents to The Grotto at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center Saturday night from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. Guests are invited to taste away and drink specialty wines and cocktails, all while enjoying live music and a silent auction. Tickets are $100 in advance and $125 at the door. Be sure to leave the kiddos at home, this is event is only for those 21 and up.
Those of you looking for VIP treatment may purchase tickets to The Grand Tasting Bubble Room, which grants you early access and high-end champagne and spirits before the tasting. But you better act fast. The Bubble Room only accommodates a limited number of guests! Tickets are $150 and can only be purchased in advanced.
Sunday Morning Brunch at Casa Hernan – SOLD OUT
I’d argue that Sunday brunch is the best meal of the week, hands down. Throw into the mix that it’s Mexican cuisine prepared by Chef Johnny Hernandez at Casa Hernán, and that seals the deal. Unfortunately this event is already sold out. Until next time…
Burgers, BBQ & Beer
Nothing says Texas like burgers, BBQ and beer, and that’s exactly what you’ll find at the Pearl next Sunday, May 18 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Chefs from around town will be grilling their best recipes for you to enjoy along with live music and a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Tickets are $45 in advance and $55 at the door, $10 for those under 21 and $5 for children under 5.
Well, it looks like a packed schedule for the foodies of San Antonio. Be sure to mark your calendars, purchase your tickets, and enjoy!
Save some dough by purchasing your Culinaria tickets online in advance.
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