Food-o-File

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News Aplenty

If the Saveur Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival is not your style of culinary entertainment, what about spending some time at Austin's longest-running food event, SPAMARAMA? The world-famous 26th annual potted-pork party takes place this Saturday, April 3, in Waterloo Park from noon until the music is over. Admission is $5 for adults (or the donation of four music CDs) while kids 12 and younger get in free. Proceeds benefit Disability Assistance of Central Texas. All your favorite SPAM competitions are back, plus several new categories, including a collegiate relay and a SPAM Burger-Eating Contest sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eaters. For more information, check the Web at www.spamarama.com... There's a wealth of restaurant news this week, as well. Successful Chinese restaurateur Suzi Yi recently opened her third eatery. Check out Suzi's China Grill and Sushi Bar (2745 Bee Caves Rd. #105, 347-7077), now offering the same great Chinese specialties and quality sushi in West Lake Hills... The County Line on the Hill (6500 W. Bee Caves Rd., 327-1742) has a new gospel music series from 11am to 1pm each Sunday during lunch. They'll present such greats as the Soul Stirrers, the Gospelaires, Brennen Leigh, the Durden Family, and the Bells of Joy. Call ahead to see who'll be in the amen corner on any given weekend... The folks at Uchi (801 S. Lamar, 916-4808) are excited about several new developments. In February, they were named one of the Top 10 new restaurants in Texas by Texas Monthly, the only Austin eatery to make that list, and they've added chef Andrew Bell to their staff, with an entire Japanese oak charcoal grill devoted to his particular talents. Then chef/co-owner Tyson Cole and wife Rebekkah welcomed daughter Aubrie Ann into their family. Great news all around!... Vespaio (1610 S. Congress, 441-6100) owner Alan Lazarus is proud to announce that he has added Barrie Cullinan to his staff as baker and pastry chef... The next time you stop at Hanover's (108 E. Main, 670-9617) in downtown Pflugerville to grab a beer and hear some great live music, be sure to order some barbecue, as well. They've worked out a deal with Austin's BBQ World Headquarters (6701 Burnet Rd., 323-9112) to provide good barbecue for their clientele... Here's a great idea for your next dinner party. What about hiring an experienced Thai cook to come to your home and provide a hands-on cooking class for yourself and some friends? That's just what Jam Sanitchat (www.thaicookingwithjam.com) would love to do for you. Jam will design an appealing three- or four-course menu for up to eight guests that utilizes locally available ingredients and also provide a preclass tour of local Asian markets, if you'd like. Create such dishes as jasmine rice, chicken satay, and rich Tom Kha coconut soup in your own home to the delight of your guests. Contact Jam via her Web site or at 694-9796 to make reservations... Roger Diaz of VIVO Cocina Texicana (2015 Manor Rd., 482-0300) will host the Wright Night on Thursday, April 8, 5-8pm, to benefit the Wright House Wellness Center at 2002-A Manor Rd. Tickets are available at the restaurant, and for more information, contact Isie Gordon at 467-0088... Be sure to check out the newest issue of Gourmet magazine for a pleasant feature on the attractions of the Texas Hill Country. We're pleased to note that all the listings have previously appeared in our own Hill Country guides.