Lauded Austin Chef Tapped to Create Austin Film Society’s Menu

Austin Film Society, helmed by founder and director Richard Linklater, is getting a brand new home in Highland. With that, comes a cafe with a fresh new menu created by consulting chef Jorge Hernandez, who just joined the team along with WHM Hospitality, which means Bill Mann is helping out too.

Hernandez’s vision for AFS’s impending menu includes fancy popcorn, pork hot dogs, cheese and charcuterie plates, and, for the healthy-minded vegetables with dips, so far. To quench those thirsts, beer, wine, and cocktails will be served. Two teased drinks include a rum and coke made with smoked gum syrup, and gin and Mexican tonics.

Guests will be able to order their food and drink at the counter, where they can either bring everything into screenings, or choose to eat out in the lobby. The art cinema theater will feature two screens and an event hall, the Marchesa Hall. It's pegged to open sometime this year.

Since Hernandez is only Austin Film Society’s consulting chef, WHM will also hire the theater’s permanent staff, including the culinary director.

Austin is one of the major hubs for dine-in theaters, with the debut of Alamo Drafthouse back in 1997. Other like-theaters include Violet Crown, Flix Brewhouse, iPic, and others.

Hernandez is keeping busy after leaving Qui last year. He is also the consulting chef for brewery and restaurant The Brewer’s Table, which is opening this summer. He also opened several restaurants with Jose Andres, including Jaleo in Las Vegas and Minibar in Washington D.C.

• Richard Linklater, Austin Film Society unveil new movie theater plans [Curbed Austin]
• Austin Film Society [Official]
• Austin Film Society [Facebook]
• Austin Film Society [Twitter]