Austin Restaurant Brings Back Holiday Burger Challenge

— Crestview brewpub Black Star Co-op is bringing back its holiday burger challenge again. The 12 Days of Burgers will feature daily burger specials leading up to Christmas, starting on Wednesday, December 12. Burgers include a barbecue one, the mac and cheese one, breakfast one (eggs and hashbrowns), plus more. Those who eat all 12 burgers will receive a $100 gift card, and so forth.

— Austin publication Tribeza named its people of the year, and included were pitmaster Aaron Franklin and chef Tyson Cole for their work with Asian smokehouse Loro, neapolitan pizzeria and wine restaurant owner Bufalina Steven Dilley, as well as local nut milk company Fronks founder Jordan Fronk.

— San Antonio Current food and nightlife editor Jessica Elizarraras left the newspaper to work as the chief engagement officer for the city’s Dorćol Distilling and Brewing Co.

— The Austin chapter of Les dames d’Escoffier cooked up a holiday meal for the homeless at the University United Methodist Church last weekend. They served over 200 guests with a turkey dinner plus sides.

— Austin sports bar and restaurant Cover 3 is hosting its yearly toy drive benefiting Partnerships for Children. All locations (including Cover 2) are accepting donations of new and unwrapped toys, as well as money, through Monday, December 10.

— TripAdvisor announced the winners of its Travelers’ Choice Awards for the year, and Austin taco chain Torchy’s Tacos landed in the number 10 slot in the fast-casual category.