Food-o-File
What we'd like to see happen in 2007
By Virginia B. Wood, Fri., Dec. 29, 2006
1) Completion of the newest Threadgill's outlet and Eddie Wilson's first foray into the Mexican restaurant business, El Mojo Rojo Cantina, at the Cedar Park Depot, in the spring. There's a big remodel project for the original Threadgill's on North Lamar on the drawing board for spring, as well, which ought to make 2007 a very interesting year for Wilson and his whole team.
2) A good central-city restaurant location and some backing for chef Marisela Godinez. This woman is so talented – creating great dishes at both El Meson and Austin's Barbecue in Far-Southeast Austin, only to see restaurateurs with better real estate appropriate her ideas. Her talent deserves a much more accessible showcase.
3) A warm reception in Round Rock for the new Grape Vine Market location. Suburban shoppers are lucky to have the great store, especially Ike Johnson's incredibly well-stocked deli.
4) Plenty of students for the dueling in-store cooking schools at Central Market and Whole Foods. Both programs offer good information and recreation. The coolest new offering: monthly Cook Book Club (WFM) and Eat the Book (CM) meetings where participants make an in-depth study of one different cookbook or book of food writing every month.
5) A successful debut for Barbara Beery's first local Batter Up Kids Culinary Center (1715 W. 35th, 407-9961) owned by franchisee Cecily Rodman. Look for kids' cooking classes, cooking birthday parties, cooking story time for younger kids, cookbooks, young chefs' apparel, and other merchandise.
6) More exposure in the national media for Austin chefs, restaurants, and artisan food products. This could be more local folks featured on the Food Network, an Iron Chef rematch for David Bull and his guys, and Austin being listed in Gourmet magazine's annual restaurant issue, for starters. This could also include some recognition for locally made food products in competitions such as the new Gallo Family Vineyards Gold Medal Awards (see below).
7) I hope Carlos Rivero and his partners follow through on the idea of opening a Manor Road neighborhood bakery with pastry chef Alex Manley's creations in the cases.
8) Book contracts for Chronicle contributors Mick Vann (Savoring Siam) and Claudia Alarcón (Tamales: Food for Gods and Mortals). They deserve to find publishers for their well-researched projects in the coming year.
9) Streamlining of the city of Austin restaurant-development and -permitting processes to make it more accessible, affordable, and user-friendly for locally owned independent restaurants.
10) A food and wine radio program for myself and Wes Marshall. The brand-new KOOP radio studio is a few blocks from my house, and I think that's an encouraging sign. I'm working on a proposal.
