Rachael Ray Jumps Aboard SXSW 2017

Rachael Ray joins South By Southwest as one of the keynote speakers, during that time of the year where Austin becomes a full-on madhouse of music, tech, and film folk. It's safe to presume she'll speak during SouthBites, which features focused programming on food, restaurants, and dining culture.

The television personality, chef, and cookbook author (who is not Rachel Roy) has been involved with the outskirts of SXSW, throwing her annual food and music event medley of food and music, Feedback. The day-long affair involves a free buffet of Austin-inspired dishes alongside performances by musicians and bands like Naughty by Nature, George Clinton, and Jenny Lewis. She recently expanded the mini-festival to Chicago.

Other announced SXSW speakers include Kimbal Musk, who, along with sitting on the board of Chipotle, is the co-founder and chef of The Kitchen, a network of restaurants in Colorado, Chicago, Memphis, and throughout Colorado, focusing on local sourcing.

Expect more speakers to be announced in the lead-up to the festival, which takes place from March 10 to 19, 2017

This past SXSW featured panels and events by Danny Meyer, Anthony Bourdain, Andrew Zimmern, Jose Andres, and others.

SXSW and SouthBites 2016: What You Missed From Austin [EATX]