2nd Annual Texas Olive Fest celebrates local foods with wines, art & live music Reply

The Texas Hill Country Olive Company is set once again to celebrate all things olive, along with local foods, wines, art and live music, at the landmark Tuscan-styled Tasting Room and Mill House set in the middle of 17 acres of Hill Country acreage-turned-organic olive orchard in Dripping Springs.

More about the 2nd Annual Texas Olive Fest from owner Cara Gambini – who says she does “a little bit of everything” at the family-run business – in her own words:

WHAT INSPIRED THCOC TO HOST AN ANNUAL OLIVE FESTIVAL?

Texas Hill Country Olive Company is a family-owned business. We have a strong desire to educate people about growing olives and making great olive oil, as well as the many healthy products it produces. We do all of that right here, locally, so we can give visitors an up-close look and taste of what olives and olive oil-based products are all about.

Not everyone has seen an olive tree or even knows that there are over 700 varieties of olive trees around the world. As well, these beautiful trees can live to be thousands of years old and have been referenced in some of the most notable texts and events in history.

Texas is one of the few states in our country where olive trees can actually thrive. We want to share that experience of farm-to-table with as many people we can and nothing gives us more pleasure than sharing it in our beautiful hill country orchard.

WHAT’S NEW OR DIFFERENT FOR THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL?

This year our focus is to support the local food movement. We have partnered with the Sustainable Food Center to share their message about strengthening the local food system and improving access to nutritious, affordable food. Beyond that we will have more participating food & wine vendors as well as some stellar chefs who will demo their recipes using our products with samples provided. We are also excited to have a short opera called Bon Appetit! that is based on actual text from one of Julia Child’s best-loved television shows, when she bakes a French chocolate cake.

THE LINEUP IS IMPRESSIVE. WHAT’S THE LATEST?

The categories are Food, Wine, Artisans, Live Music & Olive Education Seminars. This year, we have: 16 wineries, 5 chefs, 10 restaurants, 10 specialty vendors, 3 Live Bands & 1 Acoustic Set, 3 Olive Education Expert Seminars, Olive tree sales, a Kids Area with Bouncy House, and a live performance scheduled by the Hill Country Opera House of Bon Appetit! – an entertaining opera based on one of Julia Childs’ most loved TV episodes, when she makes a French chocolate cake!

WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH LOCALLY MADE OLIVE OILS AND PRODUCTS IN TEXAS?

The Texas olive industry is where the Texas wine industry was 20 years. We consider ourselves to be one of the pioneers of this movement and want to educate the public on this sustainable crop. Therefore, we are learning, growing and starting to co-op with other growers. We feel strongly that everyone should have access to fresh, local, high quality extra virgin olive oil. The health benefits and richness that fresh olive oil adds to our diet makes it an important part of everyone’s kitchen.

We currently have 5 varieties of olive trees on our land and will continue to plant other varieties to see how we can incorporate them into new products. Each variety of olive has it’s own characteristics that makes coming up with new blends that much more fun.

HOW WILL THE SUSTAINABLE FOOD CENTER BE PARTICIPATING, AND BENEFITTING?

The sustainable food center will be providing educational material at their booth as well as organizing and managing all of our volunteers. We will be donating proceeds from ticket sales to support the Sustainable Food Center.

RELATED:

SUSTAINABLE FOOD CENTER

http://tinyurl.com/OliveFest2014SFC 

JACK ALLEN’S KITCHEN

http://tinyurl.com/JackAllensOliveFest

TEXAS HILL COUNTRY WINERIES

http://tinyurl.com/OliveFest2014TxWineries

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The Texas Hill Country Olive Company is located at 2530 W. Fitzhugh Road in Dripping Springs, TX – about 35 miles southwest of Austin, in the Central Texas Hill Country!

Visit the Texas Hill Country Olive Company online to learn more about the Adopt-A-Tree program, and shop a full line of artisanal organic olive oils, flavor-infused balsamic vinegars and olive-based spa products:

http://www.texashillcountryoliveco.com

Become a Facebook Fan: Facebook.com/TexasHillCountryOliveCo

Follow on Twitter: @TXHillCtryOlive

Advance discount tickets for the Texas Olive Festival are available online at:

http://www.texasolivefest.com

Sponsored by:

        

Teas, Tonics & Old-Fashioned Remedies: Historical & local “cures” for what ails ‘ya Reply

Looking for an herbal or local “cure” for what ails ‘ya? The Dripping Springs Heritage Circle may have just the ticket. For the price of that ticket (just $10), guests can enjoy an entertaining, informative party and program about old-fashioned remedies and tonics at the fashionable Wilson Appliance showroom. Heritage Circle membership director, Cammy Jones, explains:

WHAT IS THE “TEAS & TONICS” EVENT ABOUT? 

We will have an expert describe historical uses of herbs and other ingredients for living in old Texas.  Snacks and wine will be served and everyone will take home a party favor. The event will be held on Thursday, February 27 at 7:00p.m, at Wilson Appliance center on 290, which has hosted several “foodie” type events in their beautiful showroom.  Tickets are $10 at the door or, our guests can join Heritage Circle, and enjoy free admission!

WHERE DID THE IDEA COME FROM FOR A “TEAS & TONICS” PROGRAM? 

I would like to think we are amazingly clever, but we have been looking at what other history-minded groups in the country are doing and we found this — we are tweeking it a bit for Dripping Springs! So we are in the flow of a nationwide trend to restore understanding of our roots – both in history and in the ground – but we are also relating the information specifically with the unique area in which we live.

ARE THESE HISTORICAL USES OF HERBS AND OTHER LOCAL INGREDIENTS STILL ABLE TO BE APPLIED AS REMEDIES TODAY?

Yes, some of the many historical uses of herbs relate well to our modern times. Of course, this is not medical advice and no one will make any claims of restoring health, youth, or beauty!  We do hope to show some humorous ways that people used to use herbs as well.

SO, OUR HERITAGE HAS COME FULL CIRCLE AND WE’RE LEARNING WHAT THE FOLKS OF DRIPPING SPRINGS KNEW OVER A HUNDRED YEARS AGO?

I think society is becoming more and more interested in what we can take from nature to improve our lives rather than relying on chemicals and other things that in the end might be harmful to ourselves and our environment.  Besides — herbs smell good and usually taste delicious — what could be better? 

WHAT ELSE WILL HAPPEN OR BE OFFERED AT THIS EVENT?

 

We will have a short presentation on old-fashioned remedies and then our guests will be treated to wonderful, homemade sweet and savory bites,  along with wine and sparkling water.  Everyone who attends the event will also take home a party favor. It will be interesting, entertaining, and delicious!

WHAT OTHER EVENTS DOES THE HERITAGE CIRCLE HAVE PLANNED FOR 2014? 

Heritage Circle will continue its visits to area cemeteries this year with a visit to our historical Phillips Cemetery on April 5th.  Costumed actors will portray noted Dripping Springs area residents who are buried in Phillips, and some even re-enact those former citizens’ talents!  We will also be involved with the upcoming, upscale annual Pound House Heritage Gala, on April 12, and of course, one of our biggest annual events is Fall Fest Pioneer Day at the Pound House. We are also talking about possibly developing another Diggin’ Drippin’ presentation this year, which gives kids and adults a hands-on opportunity to learn from archeologists and artifacts experts, how to uncover authentic pioneer and native american artifacts on their own property around the Dripping Springs area!

CAN ANYONE JOIN HERITAGE CIRCLE?

We welcome everyone – men and women across the Dripping Springs area – to join Heritage Circle! For as little as $25 a year, members and their families can learn more about the history of Dripping Springs, and participate in all the wonderful, local activities that revolve around preserving and promoting our fantastic pioneering heritage. There are lots of opportunities to volunteer, to network, to make new friends – even to welcome visitors as a costumed docent to the very heart of Dripping Springs history at the “Pound House.” Of course, we also have business and corporate level Heritage Circle sponsorships that are a great way for organizations to get involved, too. All memberships and donations are fully tax-deductible. Visit our website for more information: http://www.HeritageCircle.org

ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO ADD?

Yes! Pick up one of our 2014 “Around Dripping Springs” Historical Images calendars! They are on sale at Walgreens, Thyme & Dough, DanTay’s Gifts & Floral, RBFCU, Mazama Coffee Shop, and Lone Star Gifts. Proceeds benefit Heritage Circle and the Pound House.

VISIT WILSON APPLIANCE ONLINE:

http://www.wilsonappliance.com/