Ben & Jerry’s Comes Out Against Austin’s Proposition B on Homeless Camping Ban

Ben & Jerry’s Tweets About Austin Election
Oft-politically and socially vocal ice cream company Ben & Jerry’s weighed in on one of Austin’s hotly debated propositions on the current election slate on Twitter, Monday. In its tweet, the frozen sweets company expressed its opposition to Proposition B, which calls for a ban of public camping, ultimately criminalizing homeless camps. Ben & Jerry’s retweeted a statement in opposition to Prop B by Travis County nonprofit The Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO), and added: “We’ll never police our way out of the homelessness crisis, and Prop B would take Austin backwards. Vote NO!” The final day for early voting is today, Tuesday, May 27, with Election Day on Saturday, May 1.

Quesoff Returns
Popular queso competition Quesoff is coming back this year, taking place on Saturday, May 29 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Mohawk. It’s a Champions League edition, featuring previous winners including Better Half, Eldorado Cafe, and others such as Olamaie, Tacodeli, and Waco restaurant Hawk’s Hot Chicken. All $16 ticket sales will go towards the Central Texas Food Bank (CTFB). As part of its COVID measures, tickets are timed and limited to an hour with only 80 attendees per hour, there’s a limit of 25 to 30 guests per floor (as managed by staff), masks are required when not eating, and people are asked keep to their groups.

Before the actual event, various restaurants will also offer queso dishes during the month of May. One dollar for every dish will be donated to CTFB, and whichever restaurant raises the most money will be allowed to compete in the event. Interested restaurants can email arw@centraltexasfoodbank.org.

Culinary Mentees
Nonprofit the LEE Initiative announced its 2021 slate of mentors and mentees for its Women Culinary and Spirits Program this month. The mentees group includes Austin’s Jules Stoddart, the executive pastry chef of Olamaie.

Hill Country Supper Club Event
Wimberly glamping site Collective Hill Country is hosting a multi-day supper club event in May. The seven-course meals will be led by the company’s executive chef Ezra Lewis and chef Owen Laufersweiler. Potential dishes include pimento cheese profiteroles, crispy squash blossom, and antelope. Tickets are $150 per person with optional wine pairings for $50 per person. The dinners will be limited to 25 guests. It takes place from Thursday to Sunday, May 6 to 9 with two timed seatings, one from 5 to 7 p.m. and the other from 8 to 10 p.m. The dinners will be limited to 25 guests, masks are required when not seated, and tables will be socially distanced with an emphasis on outdoor areas.