Fancy Culinary Glamping Festival Hits Austin

Austin Alfresco aims to be the city’s first fancypants glamping event centered on the city’s culinary scene. From October 16-18 at Carson Creek Ranch, food nerds get to hang out with local chefs, including David Bull, Jack Gilmore, Janina O’Leary, Tom Micklethwait, Kristine Kittrell, Josh Jones, and others.

Joan Harvard, the ranch’s owner and founder of the festival, wanted to take the idea of a food event "to the next level," she told Eater, creating something different than the expected. "It’s just much more of an experience to be able to have time with the chefs," Harvard said. She was inspired after spending some time at the Voodoo Festival in New Orleans back when camping was still allowed. The communal aspect appealed to her, and she sought to replicate it at her ranch with Austin chefs.

Bull, who is confirmed to spend the night, is leading a flavor profiling demonstration. Gilmore will be bringing his famed roasting fire truck. Other classes range from foraging around the ranch, learning how to galantine a duck, and butchering a pig. Those who don’t feel like learning can just drink, get massages, carve pumpkins, and do yoga. There will be two dinners (one by the Wu Chow and Swift’s Attic teams and another from Jack Allen’s Kitchen and LaV), lunch by Micklethwait Craft Meats and Noble Sandwich, and a Sunday brunch.

Two-person tents with twin beds are $895 per person, and private tents with queen beds are $1,590. Alfresco is also giving away one ticket through an intricate scavenger hunt that involves eating out at participating restaurants and taking food selfies. All proceeds will go towards Sustainable Food Center.