National Wine Day, Gelato World Tour

Tèo goes to Chicago, Balcones Distilling gets a gold, and more afternoon bites.

Best of luck to Matthew Lee of Tèo Gelato, who will be the only Texan competing for the title of "World’s Best Gelato – Americas East" in the Gelato World Tour in Chicago this weekend, vying for a spot in the Rimini, Italy finals in 2017. To mark the occasion, Tèo is giving one customer a free plane ticket to Italy. Register through June 10 on the website or at the store.

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There are still a handful of tickets left for Barlata chef Daniel Olivella’s May 26 gluten-free feast with Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Blackbird Bakery benefiting the Celiac Disease Foundation. But if you can’t make it this week, Tito’s has partnered with Blackbird on some gluten-free recipes like French doughnuts that can double as a ringtoss game if you are bored at your desk.

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There are also still tickets available for Launderette’s tribute dinner to Jacques Pépin benefiting the Austin Food & Wine Alliance. Chefs Rene Ortiz and Laura Sawicki have worked up a five-course feast fit for a legend. The menu includes striped bass crudo, chicken thigh with black truffle, sauce aligot, and foie gras, and a floating island with peach, bleu cheese, and peach leaves. Want to hear the master speak? Tickets for the Long Center event are still available too.

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It’s been a big week for Waco’s Balcones Distilling. First, their Rumble won a Southern Living magazine Food Award. Then they took home a gold medal for best Texas whisky and a bronze medal for best American single malt in the International Whisky Competition. Cheers!

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Celebrate National Wine Day (not a real holiday, but it should be) tonight at St. Genevieve in the Domain’s Rock Rose, with $2 off all wine by the glass from 7pm to close.