Win Tickets To The New Taste of Texas

What better way to welcome Festival guests to a culinary celebration in the heart of Austin, Texas than with a VIP, no-holds-barred food extravaganza complete with mouth-watering creations from 13 Festival chefs and a private performance by Grammy-award winning artist, Lucinda Williams?

At The New Taste of Texas Kickoff Event, guests will savor bites prepared by current trailblazers on the Texas culinary scene and sip on fine wine from Martin Codax, Las Rocas and Ghost Pines and spirits from Woodford Reserve Bourbon. Don’t take our word for it though…see below for a peek at what the chefs have in store for Festival VIPs!

Which dish are you most excited to try? We’re giving away a pair of tickets to the New Taste of Texas Event to the most creative fan who lets us know! Post on our Facebook Wall (and don’t forget to tag us and the chef you want to win!) or on Twitter for a chance to win a pair of tickets to this VIP-only event. We’ll selecting the most creative post we see up before Sunday, April 22 @ 11:59PM CST. We’ll be announcing the winner next week, scroll down for official contest rules! Good luck!

Tim Byres SMOKE Fire Roasted Suckling Pig with Fresh Corn Tortillas & Salsa Verde

David Bull Congress / Second Bar + Kitchen Rabbit Friccasse with Poached Egg, Spring Peas, Ramps, Smoked Buttermilk & Garlic Croutons

Jason Dady Jason Dady Restaurant Group “Banh Mi” – Butter Poached Pink Shrimp, Foie Gras, Carrot-Daikon Slaw, Sriracha Aioli & Basil Salad

Aaron Franklin Franklin Barbecue Aaron’s Famous Beef Brisket

Bryce Gilmore Barley Swine Brussel Sprouts with Egg – Crispy Leaves, Egg Foam & Chiles

Sarah Grueneberg Spiaggia House Marinated Sardines – Burrata, Olives, Orange & Almonds on a Crostino

Rene Ortiz La Condesa Carnitas – Rain Lily Farm Suckling Pig, Oar Smoked Maui Onion, Tomatillo, Avocado, Radish & Black Lime

Monica Pope t’afia / Beaver’s / Boulevard Bistrot Mushroom dumplings – Local Honey-Bleu Cheese Sauce

Paul Qui Uchi / Uchiko Cured Strawberries, Whipped Lardo with Pickled Ramps, Caraway and Mint

Philip Speer Uchi / Uchiko Lemon Ash Ice – Green Strawberry Consommé, Black Pepper & Arugula Blossom

Laura Sawicki La Condesa Milk Chocolate Ganache – Blackberry Compote, Cocoa Nib & Birch Beer Sweet Cream

Gabe Thompson dell’anima / L’Artusi / Anfora House-cured Pancetta Confit with Remoulade Sauce and Pickled Spring Vegetable Salad

Andrew Weissman The Sandbar Fish House & Market / Il Sogno Salt Cured Scallops – Yuzu Caviar, Hydroponic Micro-Greens & Hot Sesame Oil

Nate Wales La Condesa Nate will be preparing signature cocktails throughout the night.

2012 NEW TASTE OF TEXAS CONTEST RULES
This contest begins on Thursday, April 19, 2012 and ends Sunday, April 22, 2012 at 11:59PM CT. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited by law. Only U.S. citizens and legal residents are eligible to enter. All prize winners will be chosen at the conclusion of the Sweepstakes time period based on the subjective creative evaluation of the Sponsor. Sponsor may use discretion to disqualify and/or remove participants if it is believed the participants acting fraudulently. C3 Presents (the “Sponsor”) is sponsoring a sweepstakes in conjunction with the 2012 Austin FOOD & WINE Festival. The sweepstakes rules are as follows:

SWEEPSTAKES DATES
This contest begins on Thursday, April 19, 2012 and ends Sunday, April 22, 2012 at 11:59PM CT.

PRIZE
GRAND PRIZE: One winner will receive 2 (TWO) Passes to the New Taste of Texas VIP Kickoff Event. Not redeemable for cash. No cash option of prizes is available. No expenses incurred directly by the winner will be reimbursed by Sponsor. WINNERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPORTING AND PAYING ANY AND ALL INCOME, SALES OR EXCISE TAXES THAT MAY APPLY TO ACCEPTING PRIZES; SPONSOR IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR AND WILL NOT PAY ANY SUCH TAXES.

ELIGIBILITY
To enter, the contestant must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident alien of the United States. Questions about eligibility will be determined by documentary evidence (either a valid driver’s license, state i.d. card, or U.S. passport). No more than one entry per household will be eligible. No employee or immediate family member of Sponsor is eligible to enter the contest.

HOW TO ENTER
Visit http://www.austinfoodandwinefestival.com/2012/the-new-taste-of-texas/ for the details. Then head over to the Austin FOOD & WINE Festival Facebook or Twitter and post who you believe will serve the best dish at Friday night’s New Taste of Texas VIP Kickoff Event. Make sure to include a mention of the Austin FOOD & WINE Festival, as well as the chef you think will win by “tagging” on Facebook or twitter.

ODDS OF WINNING
Odds of being selected as a prize winner depend on the total number of entries received. All prizes will be chosen at the conclusion of the sweepstakes period by random selection from Festival Staff. The prizes will be awarded, regardless of the number of entries received.

NOTIFICATION
Winners will be notified no later than Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 11:59 CT via e-mail or direct message via Facebook or Twitter.

LIABILITY; WAIVER
Contestant acknowledges that Sponsor is not liable for any entries that are either misdirected or incomplete, is not liable for any losses due to electronic or computer malfunction, and is not responsible for any injuries or losses (1) occurring during or caused by participation in the sweepstakes, or (2) caused by any prize awarded. Participation in the sweepstakes constitutes winner’s consent to Sponsor’s and its agents’ use of winner’s name, creative word, likeness, photograph, voice, opinions and/or hometown and state for promotional purposes in any media, worldwide, without further payment or consideration. Prize winner will be responsible for any taxes assessed on their winnings by any governmental agency, state, local or federal. Sponsor will notify the Internal Revenue Service of all winnings to the extent required by law.

MISC
The mailing address of the sponsor is:
C3 Presents
PO Box 684674
Austin, TX 78768
Attention: Austin FOOD & WINE Sweepstakes

Any sweepstakes entrant may submit a written request to see the name and hometown of the Prize winners. SWEEPSTAKES VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.