The Texas Food & Wine Alliance (TFWA) announced today that $111,500 in grants will be awarded this year to support culinary innovation and community giveback projects in Texas. Now in its 10th year of giving, the unique grant program has provided $532,500 in funding to the state’s chefs, artisan producers, culinary nonprofits and businesses with innovative projects that support the community.

Grant applications will be accepted Saturday, October 1, through Sunday, October 23, 2022, via online submission at texasfoodandwinealliance.org. Grant winners will be announced and awarded at a ceremony at the Holdsworth Center in Austin on Saturday, January 21.

Eligible applicants for the Alliance’s one-of-a-kind grant program include farmers, artisan producers, chefs, wine/beer/spirits makers, culinary nonprofits, businesses, and professionals whose projects and initiatives show innovation and impact on the community.

Two information sessions will be held to assist prospective applicants in the grant process: a virtual grant info session via Zoom at 2 p.m. Tuesday, October 11; and an in-person session in Austin on Wednesday, October 12. Details to be announced. For registration and information, email info@texasfoodandwinealliance.com.

Texas Food & Wine Alliance, one of Texas’ most impactful culinary nonprofits, is dedicated to fostering education, awareness and innovation in the Central Texas food and wine community. The Alliance’s grant program is the first in the nation to provide funding to support culinary innovation that also gives back to the local community.

After serving Central Texas since 2012, Austin Food & Wine Alliance (AFWA) announced a statewide expansion in 2020, allowing it to replicate its innovative grant funding program in Texas’ major cities. The newly formed Texas Food & Wine Alliance is the umbrella organization overseeing work in Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio.

“We’re so excited to celebrate 10 years of grant giving from the Alliance, which adds up to more than a half million dollars given in grants since we started,” said Cathy Cochran-Lewis, grant co-chair. "It’s incredible that the community has come together to provide funding to help innovative culinary projects succeed and help make dreams come true in this way. We’re grateful and can’t wait to see what we can collectively achieve in the next decade.”

In 2021, TFWA awarded $54,000 in grants to eight winners in Austin and four winners in San Antonio. The grant winners last year reflect the state’s diverse and innovative culinary scene.

Austin

-A low-sugar barbecue sauce company inspired by the inherited foodways of generations of African Americans in Central Texas (Connie Jo’s All-Purpose Sauces, $7,500)

-A nonprofit social enterprise reconnecting refugees with farming heritage to fair wage, dignified employment opportunities (Multicultural Refugee Coalition, $5,000)

-A woman-led company making traditionally crafted fermented vegetable dressings from organic produce and pure avocado

oil (The Cultured Carrot, $5,000)

-A bakeshop exclusively using Texas-grown heritage grains to make coveted pastries, bread and pizzas from a charming storefront in Dripping Springs (Abby Jane Bakeshop, $5,000)

-A nutrient-rich juice brand bringing the native flavors of Grenada to Austinites (Jeany’s Caribbean Elixirs, $5,000)

-A grassroots organization providing engaging garden and kitchen lessons to children in an equitable and culturally responsive manner (Partners for Education, Agriculture, and Sustainability, $5,000)

-A farmers market favorite specializing in globally inspired tacos and sandwiches using locally sourced vegetables and pork (Ninja Pig, $2,500)

-An agricultural venture connecting children and lifelong learners to food origins on a soil-focused educational farm (Barking Dog Farm, $2,000)

San Antonio

-A four-acre agricultural space dedicated to permaculture experimentation, Indigenous agriculture education and addressing food insecurity (Food Policy Council of San Antonio, $5,000)

-The first-to-market bottled, locally sourced olive leaf iced tea (Special Leaf, $5,000)

-A nonprofit aiming to reduce obesity and malnutrition by increasing accessibility to fresh produce (Gardopia Gardens, $5,000)

-A program of nonprofit and community outreach events providing a safe and inclusive space for all San Antonians (The Good Kind, $2,000)

“We are so grateful to our sponsors, community partners and friends of TFWA for their continued support of our mission,” said Gina Burchenal, grant co-chair. “Their backing allows us to give back to the deserved culinary innovators who have contributed to this remarkable culinary landscape for Texas.”

Each year, the TFWA board of directors determines the amount of grant funding based on the organization’s fundraising efforts from key signature events, community partnerships and beneficiary events. The TFWA Grant Judging Committee in each city, composed of a private panel of prominent culinary professionals and community members, will award the 2023 grants based on the grant criteria, application information, and goals of each applicant. Deadline for applications is Sunday, October 23, and all applicants will be notified by Tuesday, January 3, 2023.

This year’s grant total is boosted by 18 specifically funded grants.

Qualification details are available on the TFWA website.

Austin

-Tito’s Handmade Vodka Entrepreneur Grant, a $6,250 grant awarded to an entrepreneur who has pursued their business dream despite setbacks. The winner of this grant has shown that success often comes from failures, as exemplified by founder Tito Beveridge and the pursuit of his Texas-made vodka.

-Austin Dames Supporting Women in Business Grant, a $5,000 grant for seed funding or business support for a culinary business that is either woman-owned or led by a woman with the majority of the decision-making power.

-Favor Delivery Grant for Local Restaurants, a $5,000 grant supporting a project or initiative by an Austin restaurant or food truck that gives back to the Austin community. This grant will be awarded to a restaurant or mobile food business that shows innovation in supporting the Austin community.

-Gina Burchenal Grant, a $5,000 grant supporting a woman-owned business and honoring Alliance past-president Gina Burchenal, a former Austin chef/caterer who has volunteered in and served the Austin community. Generously provided by Gina and her husband, Ken Burchenal.

-The Luck, TX Family Grant for Inclusivity in Culinary Culture a $5,000 grant awarded to an organization or individual uplifting marginalized communities in Austin through their culinary endeavors, including restaurants, food trucks, chefs, sourcers and farms whose historic actions and strategic objectives serve their local neighborhoods and patrons.

-The Luck, TX Family Grant, a $5,000 grant that will be awarded to a family-owned organization — restaurant, food truck, beverage company, sourcer or farm — that upholds practices that celebrate sustainability, inclusivity, ingenuity and generosity in their breadth of work.

-Shari Braly Grant for Emerging Woman Restaurateur, a $5,000 grant supporting a young woman restaurateur or food-truck owner under 35 years old who reflects the passion, determination and spirit of hospitality exemplified by Shari Braly, long-time Austin restaurateur and founder of Cherry Creek Catfish Co., South Austin’s iconic mecca of Southern cuisine and hospitality.

-The Premiere Events Community Grant, a $2,500 grant to a nonprofit organization or educationally focused project.

-The Jeff Conarko Grant for Sustainability, a $2,500 grant honoring beloved Austin business owner and healthy-eating advocate Jeff Conarko of Con’Olio Oils & Vinegars. The grant is awarded to a business or organization with a commitment to sustainable and traceable practices.

-LifeWorks Restaurant Group Entrepreneur Grant, a $2,500 grant awarded to a restaurateur, farmer, grower, rancher or educator focused on climate-friendly entrepreneurship. This recipient would be selected for their vision of sustainability through the development of technology, culinary or educational programs that positively impact our future, and has pursued their business dream despite obstacles.

Dallas

-Dallas Bourbon Club Grant, a $8,500 grant for a business or nonprofit within the food, wine or spirits industry that exemplifies and supports culinary innovation and gives backs to the Dallas community.

-Tito’s Handmade Vodka Entrepreneur Grant, a $6,250 grant awarded to an entrepreneur who has pursued their business dream despite setbacks. The winner of this grant has shown that success often comes from failures, as exemplified by founder Tito Beveridge and the pursuit of his Texas-made vodka.

-LifeWorks Restaurant Group Entrepreneur Grant, a $2,500 grant awarded to a restaurateur, farmer, grower, rancher or educator focused on climate-friendly entrepreneurship. This recipient would be selected for their vision of sustainability through the development of technology, culinary or educational programs that positively impact our future, and has pursued their business dream despite obstacles.

-The Truffle Masters Grant for Community Heroes, a $1,500 grant awarded to a chef who has overcome a lack of diversity and challenges to bring support to others during a time of crisis to help their community.

Houston

-Tito’s Handmade Vodka Entrepreneur Grant, a $6,250 grant awarded to an entrepreneur who has pursued their business dream despite setbacks. The winner of this grant has shown that success often comes from failures, as exemplified by founder Tito Beveridge and the pursuit of his Texas-made vodka.

-The Truffle Masters Grant for Community Heroes, a $1,500 grant awarded to a chef who has overcome a lack of diversity and challenges to bring support to others during a time of crisis to help their community.

San Antonio

-Tito’s Handmade Vodka Entrepreneur Grant, a $6,250 grant awarded to an entrepreneur who has pursued their business dream despite setbacks. The winner of this grant has shown that success often comes from failures, as exemplified by founder Tito Beveridge and the pursuit of his Texas-made vodka.

-H-E-B Grant Supporting Diversity and Inclusion, a $5,000 grant open to San Antonio–area chefs, farmers, artisan producers, food-focused nonprofits and educational groups that prioritize education, diversity, equity and inclusion.

-Favor Delivery Grant for Local Restaurants, a $5,000 grant supporting a project or initiative by a San Antonio restaurant or food truck that gives back to the San Antonio community. This grant will be awarded to a restaurant or mobile food business that shows innovation in supporting the San Antonio community.

Additional grant funding of $10,000 will be awarded in Austin and $5,000 each in Dallas, Houston and San Antonio to more generalized grant projects.

The Alliance continues to win tremendous community support from official grocery sponsor H-E-B and key supporters ABC Bank, Acqua Panna, American Lamb Board, Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Buffalo Trace, Casa Noble Tequila, Con ‘Olio Oils & Vinegars, Constellation Brands, Fairmont Austin, Fever-Tree, Giant Noise, High West Distillery, LifeWorks Restaurant Group, Made-In, Mill Scale Metal Works, Patrón Tequila, Perrier, Premiere Events, The Prisoner Wine Co.; Republic National Distributing Company, Siete Family Foods, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, S. Pellegrino, Sysco, Texas Beef Council, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Twang, Twin Liquors, and Unifresh.

In addition, AFWA is the proud beneficiary of the Austin Food + Wine Festival, a three-day tribute to world-renowned chefs and winemakers returning this fall, Nov. 5 – 7. Tickets are on sale now and available at austinfoodandwinefestival.com.

For more information about TFWA, visit texasfoodandwinealliance.org or email info@texasfoodandwinealliance.org. Stay up to date with Texas Food & Wine Alliance happenings on Facebook and Instagram.