Multiple festivals use music and beer as twin selling points to lure attendees, but the upcoming Cultivate Food, Ideas & Music Festival, taking place October 18 at Lake Carolyn in Irving, is aiming square at foodies.
That's because the free festival, designed to emphasize fresh and affordable food made with sustainable ingredients, features cooking demonstrations by big-name national and local chefs, as well as performances by a variety of bands. Chefs include Sean Brock of Husk in Nashville and Charleston, Amanda Freitag from Iron Chef America and Chopped, Matt McCallister of FT33, former Top Chef winner and Austin demigod Paul Qui, Kent Rathbun of Abacus, and Omar Flores of Casa Rubia.
Unlike other Cultivate festivals in San Francisco and Minneapolis, the musical talent doesn't have the same star power as the chefs, but the bands aren't no-names, either. Among the performers are Amos Lee, O.A.R., MS MR, Sylvan Esso and DJ Christopher Golub, with others to be announced. The festival runs from 11 am to 7 pm.
Because you can't have food without drink, festivalgoers can expect to see a number of local breweries and wineries pouring samples. Of particular note is a special beer called Cultivate Farmhouse Ale, created especially for the event by Lakewood Brewing Company. It's a farmhouse-style brew that uses Bravo, Cascade and Citra hops mixed with local Texas wildflower honey for sweetness, and it's available only at the festival.
Although the entertainment at the festival is free, the beer and wine tastings and food from title sponsor Chipotle will set you back a few ducats if you choose to partake. There will also be booths with local food artisans, a kids zone and other free activities.
Top Chef winner and Austin restaurant owner Paul Qui is among the chefs coming to the Cultivate Festival in October.
