Austin Chefs Compete in Pie-Eating Contest, and More A.M. Intel

— Austin chefs like Aaron Franklin, Tyson Cole, and Laura Sawicki are competing in a pie-eating contest, at downtown diner Holy Roller, which will bake up the pies. People will be able to buy raffle tickets and bet on who they think will win. There will be drink specials and pies for attendees as well. The raffle tickets are also good for potential prizes from the winning chefs’ buckets, like neon signage, Yeti goods, and more. All proceeds from the raffle tickets will go towards Safe. It takes place on Tuesday, December 12 from 6 to 9 p.m. Read on for the full list of participating chefs and food media below.

— First lady Melania Trump and second lady Karen Pence stopped by Whataburger during a Hurricane Harvey relief trip in Corpus Christi on Wednesday. While their orders were unknown, they bought fries for the press pool.

— South Lamar spot Aviary Wine & Kitchen is getting into the brunch game this weekend starting on Sunday, December 10. It includes various mid-morning dishes like chicken liver mousse French toast, breakfast sandwiches, bagels, pastries, and a raw bar. For drinks, there are bottle service-style mimosas and Micheladas. It runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

— Up in Mueller, Stella Public House expanded its service with weekday lunch and weekend brunch. Lunch includes various pizza pies, and brunch includes wood-fired pancakes, stuffed French toast, mimosa flights, and bacon tomato Bloody Marys. Lunch begins at 11 a.m. Monday through Friday, and brunch is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Holy Roller’s Pie-Eating Contest Participants

• Shawn Cirikel, Parkside Projects
• Tyson Cole, Uchi
• Aaron Franklin, Franklin Barbecue
• Brandon Hunt, Via 313
• Tako Matsumoto, Kemuri Tatsu-ya
• Laura Sawicki, Launderette
• Philip Speer, Bonhomie
• Shane Stiles, Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew
• Travis Tober, Nickel City
• Brandon Watson, CultureMap
• Casey Wilcox, Central Standard
• Nic Yanes, Juniper
• Nadia Chaudhury, Eater Austin