I would not say that I am someone who eats meat everyday by any means, but this girl likes a good steak once in a while.  But come every April,  I look forward to the Austin Food and Wine Alliance Live Fire event, as it’s the kick-off to the ultimate foodie weekend – including the Austin Food & Wine Festival!

Located out at the Salt Lick’s Pecan Grove Pavilion, just down the road from the restaurant, the Austin Food and Wine Alliance bring together Austin’s brightest culinary stars this year to serve guests meat-centric dishes, craft cocktails and the regions best wines.

Sip, stroll and savor each bite while listening to Redd Volkaert under the beautiful canopy of pecan trees, enjoying the flow of the fresh water stream that sits on the property.

Here is a preview of the meaty goodness to be served up at Live Fire:

• Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue (Austin)  – BBQ Brisket
• Rene Ortiz of Sway (Austin) – Jungle Curry made with Texas Beef, Red Chili & Coconut Cream
• Jesse Griffiths of Dai Due Supper Club &
  Butcher Shop (Austin) – Flatiron Tacos with Carrot Top Salsa
• Jason Dady of Jason Dady Restaurants
  (San Antonio) – Tongue and Cheek
• Laura Sawicki of Sway (Austin) – Smoked Hazelnut and Chocolate S¬â„¢mores
• Ned Elliott of Foreign & Domestic (Austin) – Roasted Culotte of Beef with Pickled Strawberries and Ramp Consomme
• Josh Watkins of The Carillon (Austin) – Beef Chuck Ribs
• Randy Rucker of Briar and Bramble (Houston) – Corned & Smoked Beef Rib with Fermented Wild Onions
• Kristine Kittrell of Mulberry (Austin) – Coconut Beef with Blistered Beans
• Sonya Cote & Tink Pinkard of
  Homegrown Revival (Austin) – Flank Steak Roulade with Sweet Onion & Arugula
• Jesse Perez of Arcade Midtown Kitchen
  (San Antonio) – Matambre with Rice & Chorizo
• Eric Lucas of Whole Foods Market® (Austin) – Three beef dishes ¬ Argentinian style
• Scott Roberts of Salt Lick Bar-B-Que (Driftwood) – Brisket with Stuffed Mushrooms and Sliced Brisket on a Homemade Tortilla, each paired with a local craft brew
• Tatsu Aikawa of Ramen Tatsu-Ya (Austin) – Oxtail Ramen with Beef Tongue Chashu
• Jeff Martinez of El Chile Café y Cantina (Austin) – Lengua de Res
• Janina O¬â„¢Leary of Trace (Austin) -Meyer Lemon Budino and Chocolate Bourbon S¬â„¢mores
• Jodi Elliott of Foreign & Domestic (Austin) – In-house made desserts to complement the Live Fire beef fest!

So come on you meat heads, get a ticket for Live Fire, and meat me there for a sizzling menu, live music, craft cocktails and local brews! Great way to spend a Thursday night!

More about the Austin Food and Wine Alliance:

The Austin Food & Wine Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering awareness and innovation in the Central Texas culinary community through grants, educational programming and events.

Photo Credit:  Austin Food and Wine Alliance