About one month ago, Mike and Rashelle McKim opened their backyard to about a dozen tasty tourers for a visit to their roasting facility in Spicewood.
You have probably tried Cuvee beans if you’ve ordered a cuppa Joe at Caffe Medici, Houndstooth, Once Over, or Thunderbird.
McKim included lots of interesting information for geeks and trivia nerds alike. His beans come from Central and South America and he purchases one year’s worth during the annual harvest. He told us that most countries harvest once a year except for Colombia.
While burlap bags are the traditional container …

Yesterday was the most awesome tour to date. If you missed out on the first-ever Tasty Up Trailer Tour, co-organized by Addie Broyles and me, you’re about to be jealous.
Since it was a choose-your-own adventure tour, each of the 500 or so attendees had their own unique experience. Below are some highlights from mine taken with my brand new Canon s90 point-and-shoot camera.
Addie met me at around 11:30 a.m. at La Boite before she set off to Trailer Perk. The tour officially began at noon and those two spots were …

Addie Broyles is a friend, Statesman food writer, co-founder of a food lovers book club, and co-organizer of the Tasty Up tour (taking place tomorrow afternoon throughout Central and South Austin).
She asked me if I would send her photos for inclusion in her weekly series, “What’s in Your Fridge Friday” and I decided to send pics after a long weekend trip when it was especially empty and immediately following my weekly grocery shop when it’s at its best.

Tasty Touring blogger Jodi Bart: What’s in Your Fridge Friday?
By Addie Broyles | …

This Saturday, I was one of about 50 lucky people who attended a beer and cheese class taught by Amy Cartwright, co-owner of Independence Brewing Co., and John and Kendall Antonelli, owners of the soon-to-be-open Antonelli’s Cheese shop in Hyde Park.
Full disclosure, I helped plan the event along with Amy and John but since I paid for my own ticket and all, I’m allowed to blog about it, right?!
Below is a photo that Adam took of the setup — five large picnic tables seated ten people at each. It was …

I hope you can join us this Saturday, Dec. 19 from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. for a special cheese and beer class, tasting, and brewery tour at Independence Brewing Company in Austin.

We’ll enjoy samples and learn about four different local brews and four cheeses carefully selected to pair with these beers. Cheese will be served with slices of Bona Dea bread. There will be time for additional beer sampling and brewery tours after the class.
Cost: $17
For planning purposes, all tickets must be ordered by Wed., Dec. 16: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/92159.
NOTE: No …