The Women of Texas Barbecue Include Snow’s BBQ and La Barbecue

— Food & Wine rightly so highlighted the women of barbecue in Texas, including Snow’s BBQ pitmaster Tootsie Tomanetz (of course), La Barbecue’s LeAnn Mueller of the famous Mueller barbecue family, Pat Mares of the now-shuttered Ruby’s BBQ, and Eater Young Gun class of 2017 Laura Loomis of Two Bros BBQ in San Antonio.

— Bon Appetit sings the praises of neighborhood restaurants in its latest issue, and from Austin, this means Joe’s Bakery and Picnik. San Antonio Express-News food writer Mike Sutter described the day of Joe’s Bakery’s longtime waitress Maggie Flores and the history of the Mexican taco shop and bakery. Austinite and model Camila Alves wrote a short blurb about how she and her husband, actor Matthew McConaughey, tend to take their kids to Picnik because the food “feels kind of good for you without sacrificing taste.”

— Contigo is now offering soft serve ice cream in its downtown location within food hall Fareground. The initial flavors are chocolate and honey, and yes, there’s a swirl option. It’s available in cups or cones.

— East Cesar Chavez restaurant Jacoby’s is donating one burger to the Central Texas Food Bank for every burger sold during the month of June. The restaurant’s goal is to sell at least 1,500 burgers this time.

— The Blended Burger Project, the James Beard Foundation’s competition where restaurants come up with different ways to created meat and mushroom burger patties, is taking place now. Diners can vote for their favorites. Then a panel of judges, including Andrew Zimmern, will pick out the top five from those top twenty in August. The five restaurants will cook for a special James Beard House dinner in New York City. Participating Austin restaurants include Oasthouse Kitchen and Bar and The Rotten Bunch, among others. It runs through Tuesday, July 31.