Texas travel

New Tasting Texas food festival promises a road trip-worthy culinary feast

Tasting Texas will be held in multiple locations around San Antonio from October 27-30.

Courtesy Culinaria

There's a new can't-miss wine and food festival for Texas foodies happening this month.

The Tasting Texas Wine and Food Festival in San Antonio promises that attendees will chow down on a range of tastings, intimate dinners, lunches, hands-on workshops, educational panels, and other activities.

Culinaria and Visit San Antonio are partnering with the James Beard Foundation to put on Tasting Texas, which will be held in multiple locations around San Antonio from October 27-30.

Festival guests may customize their gastronomic experience by choosing between all-inclusive festival packages or a-la-carte event options starting at $100, each granting access to James Beard Award-winners, nominees, and other leaders in the food and beverage industries.

Here are some highlighted events:

The Collective: 12-6 pm, October 28-30, Travis Park
The festival’s flagship happening will feature more than 100 chefs and restaurants, and hundreds of beverage brands, a Texas wine garden, live fire activations, cooking demonstrations, educational seminars, and a mercantile market. The family-friendly Collective will also have a wellness zone, music, and children’s activities.

Southern Hospitality: 7-9 pm, October 28, Pearl Brewery
A cornucopia of foods and beverages that celebrate Texas culture, from biscuits and gravy to enchiladas.

Celebrate Agave: 7-9 pm, October 29, Travis Park
This event will offer a variety of beverages — aged, sipped, neat, or mixed — served in a walk-around tasting event accompanied by complementary cuisines.

Additionally, festival-goers will have exclusive access to unique chef collaborations at dinner and lunch events held at varying locations across the city October 27-29, including a luncheon at Becker Vineyards in the Texas Hill Country, “A French Aperitif Soiree” at the Witte Museum, and a dining tour with renowned local Chef Jason Dady.

Tasting Texas will also have different kinds of culinary seminars and panel discussions in various locations, including workshops on making craft cocktails or smoking meat, and chats on women in the beverage industry.

Currently, the “Super VIP” top-tier ticket package is sold out, but two other ticket packages are still available. One package, The Weekender, provides access to the Celebrate Agave and Southern Hospitality events and The Collective. The other package, The Collective, grants admission to The Collective at Travis Park anytime.

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SHUCK AND AWE

Farm near Texas Gulf coast honors Dolly Parton with corn maze attraction

Photo courtesy of The MAiZE Inc

San Antonians can find the corn maze near Corpus Christi.

A farm near Corpus Christi is giving a larger-than-life salute to Dolly Parton. Rockin’ K Farms, in Robstown, Texas, has built a massive corn maze in tribute to the country music icon, who passed away in late August.

The maze is one of 20 U.S. attractions designed by Utah-based The MAiZE Inc. The corn maize consulting company has gone viral in recent years for its campaigns honoring some of Nashville’s biggest stars, including Reba McEntire in 2023, Luke Bryan in 2024, and Lainey Wilson in 2025.

"We are beyond humbled to honor Dolly's legacy, joining the world in mourning the passing of a true American treasure," says MAiZE founder Brett Herbst in a release. "Dolly's impact on the world and her love for farming is immeasurable, and our corn maze tributes now take on new meaning and significance.”

The Robstown maze features a profile of the late singer sporting her signature big, blonde hairdo. A guitar and butterfly — Parton’s personal symbol since childhood — complete the image.

Dolly Parton passed away on August 25. Photo courtesy of Dolly Parton

Once inside the labyrinth, guests at Rockin’ K will be able to hunt for clues and play an interactive trivia game testing their knowledge of all things Dolly. Throughout the fall season, visitors will also be able to pose for photo ops, take part in storytelling sessions, and listen to live music.

Fittingly, the corn mazes honor Parton’s philanthropic work as much as her musical legacy. Each participating site will donate a portion of their proceeds to Imagination Library, the singer’s nonprofit literacy program that provides free books to children from birth to age five.

The charitable contribution might have been one reason Parton gave the project her blessing, even though she sometimes shied away from tributes.

“I’m grateful for the support of my Imagination Library and am excited to invite people out to get lost in this year’s country music corn maze for a little fun, laughter, and a real good reason to get lost,” Parton said in a statement prior to her death.

In addition to the Dolly corn maze, visitors to Rockin’ K will also find plenty of other family friendly fun, including mini golf, slides, a petting zoo, paintball, and backyard games. There’s also festival food and a pumpkin patch for those who want to carve out their own Parton homages at home.

The Dolly Parton corn maze is open September 26-November 7 and included in regular Rockin’ K admission ($19.61 online). Hours are noon-10 pm on Saturdays and noon-7 pm on Sundays, except for Halloween night, when the farm closes at 5 pm. Rockin' K Farms is located at 5385 County Rd 52 in Robstown.

For other ideas for a Dolly pilgrimage, check out this story.

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