beefing up its presence

Longstanding Texas food charity grows presence with new Dallas chapter

Official Drink of Austin Food & Wine Alliance

The Texas Food & Wine Alliance will sponsor food events statewide.

Courtesy of Texas Food & Wine Alliance

The Austin Food & Wine Alliance is expanding across Texas. Best known for events like Wine & Swine and the Official Drink of Austin, the organization announced the formation of the Texas Food & Wine Alliance with corresponding chapters in Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.

A 501(c)3, the nonprofit uses its events to raise money for grants that are distributed to chefs, farmers, artisan producers, wine-, beer- and spirit-makers, and food-focused nonprofits. To date, AFWA has issued grants totaling more than $330,000, including more than $14,000 this year for immediate aid and pandemic recovery.

"Now, more than ever, coming together is important," Houston chef Monica Pope said in a statement. "I’m thrilled to see Texas Food & Wine Alliance bring the culinary community together statewide. And I can’t wait to see the impact their unique grant program will have in growing Houston food."

Grant giving will begin in 2021. At a time when the coronavirus pandemic has forced restaurants, breweries, and other small businesses to close, the need for a statewide organization that provides financial support seems more urgent than ever.

"The pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to the Texas hospitality industry, and it will take many years for full recovery,” AFWA executive director Mariam Parker added. “There is no greater time than now to fortify, to showcase, and to support the breadth of Texas talent, culinary businesses, and nonprofits.”

Dallas will have to wait a bit for a proper introduction to the TFWA and HFWA, as the organization will not hold any in-person events this year. Instead, it will launch the Alliance Academy, a series of online classes featuring some of the state's top chefs and beverage experts.

Instructors for season one, which starts September 17, include chef Edgar Rico and Sara Mardanbigi (Nixta Taqueria in Austin), chef Jackie Letelier (Casero in Austin), chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph (Emmer & Rye, Hestia, etc. in Austin), and chef Rico Torres (Mixtli in San Antonio). Each class will feature ingredients shipped directly to participants via Austin's Assembly Kitchen. Afterwards, attendees will participate in a live Q&A with their instructor.

"Food is such an amazing language and arguably one of the best ways to connect to other cultures," Pondicheri chef-owner and Alliance Academy instructor Anita Jaisinghani said. "I am excited for the cooking classes that Austin Food and Wine Alliance is launching in an effort to continue their good work in Houston by building more bridges in our community."

news-you-can-eat fundraisers charity

Attention, Shoppers

H-E-B unveils opening date for long-awaited store in Murphy

Photo courtesy of H-E-B

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The wait is nearly over in Murphy: H-E-B has revealed the opening date of its forthcoming store at at FM 544 and McCreary Road. That date is Wednesday, July 22, according to a release.

Per tradition, the grand opening events will start at 6 am and will feature company executives along with city officials, community leaders, and area nonprofits to celebrate the occasion, they say.

Having broken ground in 2024, the Murphy store will be a hot spot in fast-growing Collin County. It's the latest in the San Antonio-based grocer's march across Dallas-Fort Worth and follows the opening of the H-E-B Irving store on June 17.

The Murphy store will include a full-service H-E-B Pharmacy with a drive-thru, True Texas BBQ restaurant, and H-E-B Curbside and Home Delivery, which will allow customers to place orders online for pickup at the store or delivery to the home. The location also will have a fuel station with car wash.

The store went on a hiring spree earlier this spring; now they're getting trained and ready to open the doors to customers.

H-E-B has been in rapid expansion mode across DFW in recent years; many stores, including Dallas, Denton, and Carrollton, are in the works.

The regional supermarket chain is consistently rated among America's best grocers by industry and consumer reports.

With $49.6 billion in annual revenue, the H-E-B grocery chain appears at No. 11 on Forbes' inaugural list of America’s 100 largest family businesses.

Founded in 1905, H-E-B operates more than 450 grocery stores in the U.S. and Mexico. The company says its annual sales exceed $50 billion. The company employs over 175,000 Partners in Texas and Mexico, and serves millions of customers in more than 300 communities.

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