Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue (Austin)
Named the best barbecue in the U.S. by Bon Appétit Magazine, Franklin will make his third appearance at Live Fire! and attendees will be treated to his award-winning brisket.
Rene Ortiz of Sway (Austin)
Finalist for 2013 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest, Ortiz will serve Jungle Curry made with Texas Beef, Red Chili & Coconut Cream.
Jesse Griffiths of Dai Due Supper Club &
Butcher Shop (Austin)
Winner of Edible Communities 2012 Local Hero/Food Artisan Award and 2013 James Beard book award nominee for single-subject with Afield: A Chef’s Guide to Preparing and Cooking Wild Game and Fish, Griffiths will prepare Flatiron Tacos with Carrot Top Salsa.
Jason Dady of Jason Dady Restaurants
(San Antonio)
Finalist for 2012 James Beard Award for Best Restaurateur: Southwest, Dady makes his third appearance at Live Fire! and will prepare Tongue and Cheek utilizing beef tongue, cheek and ribs.
Laura Sawicki of Sway (Austin)
Finalist for 2013 James Beard nominee for Outstanding Pastry Chef and 2013 CultureMap’s Tastemaker Award winner for Best Pastry Chef, Sawicki will offer a sweet take on fire-kissed dessert with Smoked Hazelnut and Chocolate S’mores.
Ned Elliott of Foreign & Domestic (Austin)
Finalist of Food & Wine magazine’s The People’s Best New Chef: 2012 Southwest, Elliott will prepare a Roasted Culotte of Beef with Pickled Strawberries and Ramp Consomme.
Josh Watkins of The Carillon (Austin)
2012 Star Chef Austin-San Antonio Rising Star Winner, Watkins will create Beef Chuck Ribs from Richardson Farms.
Randy Rucker of Briar and Bramble (Houston)
2011 Houston Rising Star Chef, Rucker will make his debut appearance at Live Fire! and will serve Corned & Smoked Beef Rib with Fermented Wild Onions.
Kristine Kittrell of Mulberry (Austin)
Formerly of Jeffrey’s Restaurant, Kittrell will prepare Coconut Beef with Blistered Beans.
Sonya Cote & Tink Pinkard of
Homegrown Revival (Austin)
Winner of Edible Austin’s Local Hero Award and named among the Top 10 Badass Women Chefs by Daily Meal, Cote’s Live Fire! dish will be Flank Steak Roulade with Sweet Onion & Arugula.
Jesse Perez of Arcade Midtown Kitchen
(San Antonio)
One of San Antonio’s most acclaimed chefs, Perez will serve Matambre with Rice & Chorizo.
Eric Lucas of Whole Foods Market® (Austin)
Lucas will create three beef dishes – Argentinian style.
Scott Roberts of Salt Lick Bar-B-Que (Driftwood)
Cookbook author and famed owner of the Salt Lick, Roberts will share his celebrated Brisket with Stuffed Mushrooms and Sliced Brisket on a Homemade Tortilla, each paired with a local craft brew.
Tatsu Aikawa of Ramen Tatsu-Ya (Austin)
Celebrated ramen maker who brought Austin’s first authentic ramen house, Aikawa will present Oxtail Ramen with Beef Tongue Chashu.
Jeff Martinez of El Chile Café y Cantina (Austin)
From Austin’s favorite El Chile, Martinez will prepare Lengua de Res.
Janina O’Leary of Trace (Austin)
After having worked in some of the country’s most prestigious kitchens including Michelin three-star restaurants Daniel and Per Se in New York City, celebrated pastry chef O’Leary will prepare Meyer Lemon Budino and Chocolate Bourbon S’mores.
Jodi Elliott of Foreign & Domestic (Austin)
Just named winner of 2013 Food & Wine magazine’s The People’s Best New Pastry Chef, Elliott will prepare one of her in-house made desserts to complement the Live Fire! beef fest.
