The Austin Film Festival will host their 10th annual Film & Food Party on Wednesday, October 17 at The Driskill Hotel from 7-10 p.m. The culinary event kicks off the 19th annual Austin Film Festival, which takes place from October 18-25. The honorary chair of the evening will be well-known writer/producer/director Robert Rodriguez, noted for his work on films like Desperado, From Dusk ‘Til Dawn, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Machete, Sin City, and Grindhouse.

John Paul Phillips, Alexis Bledel, and Ryan Piers Williams at the 2011 Film & Food Party.

This event brings together creative minds from both the film and food industries, including Austin restaurants like Foreign & Domestic, Swift’s Attic, Olive & June, Jack Allen’s Kitchen, Ranch 616, Garrido’s, Haddington’s, TRACE, Trento, and several more. “I enjoy the creative collaboration and the chance to be a part of the rich history of Austin’s film community,” Shawn Cirkiel, executive chef of Olive & June, says of the event.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Austin Film Festival’s Young Filmmakers Program. Tickets are $90 in advance and $100 at the door. Visit Austinfilmfestival.com to purchase tickets.

Tagged: Austin Film Festival, Foreign & Domestic, garrido's, Haddington's, Jack Allen's Kitchen, Layne Lynch, Olive & June, Ranch 616, Robert Rodriguez, Swift's Attic, The Driskill Hotel, TRACE, Trento

The 23rd La Dolce Vita Food & Wine Festival that sponsors the AMOA-Arthouse will take place tonight from 6-9 p.m. at Laguna Gloria.

Food will be served from several Austin restaurants including East Side Showroom, Foreign & Domestic, Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill, Olive & June, Parkside, Ranch 616, and Trace. Famed Austin restaurateur Larry McGuire of Lamberts Downtown Barbecue, Perla’s, Elizabeth Street Café, and Jeffrey’s Restaurant has been chosen as the honorary chef for the evening.

“As a native Austinite, I’ve enjoyed Laguna Gloria, La Dolce Vita, and the museum my entire life, so to be asked to serve as the 2012 Honorary Chef is a real privilege,” Larry McGuire said in a press release. “Not only am I excited about helping AMOA-Arthouse raise funds for its education programs, but I feel that this event stands out from all the other food events in town.”

Cocktails will be prepared by Tipsy Texan’s David Alan and local wineries and distillers including Becker Vineyards, Inwood Estates Vineyards, Llano Estacado Winery, and Pedernales Cellars will be present as well. For more information about the event, check out this link.

Tagged: AMOA-Arthouse, David Alan, East Side Show Room, Foreign & Domestic, Inwood Estates Vineyards, La Dolce Vita Food & Wine Festival, Lamberts Downto, Larry McGuire, Layne Lynch, llano estacado winery, Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill, Olive & June, Parkside, Pedernales Cellars, perla's, Ranch 616, Tipsy Texan, TRACE