If last year’s Hot Luck Fest gave you serious FOMO, now is your chance to redeem yourself. The homegrown, three-day food and music event will be back for its seventh year May 22-25. Self-billed as a “hungry love letter to the city of Austin,” Hot Luck is the delicious brainchild of Aaron Franklin, Guerilla Suit principal James Moody and Mike Thelin, of Feast Portland.
Conceived to celebrate the nostalgia, camaraderie and playful nature of backyard barbecues and other small, food-centric gatherings, Hot Luck is a platform for local and visiting chefs and other culinary professionals, and indie musical acts who perform after-shows (with culinary surprises in store) for ticketholders.
“Hot Luck is my favorite weekend of the year,” says Franklin. “The most awesome chefs from all over gather in the coolest city to make the funnest bites that complement the most unforgettable food party in the known universe. This year, there’s the added bonus of comfy new venues with parking.”
Unlike most food festivals, which spotlight chef talent through demonstrations, seminars, and formal tastings at a centralized location, Hot Luck instead follows a fun, “choose your own adventure” format, says Franklin. Select venues throughout the city play host to laidback thematic main events, pop-up parties, and concerts. Attendees can interact with chefs and taste their culinary creations straight from the pit, grill or burner, while vintners, brewers, distillers and bartenders pour and shake up all manner of libations.
Hot Luck’s main events
Friday: Nite Moves at Assembly Hall
Hot Luck kicks off with Nite Moves, where top chefs will “recreate and reimagine the world’s best street food,” according to Franklin. The lineup includes more than a dozen chefs from around the country, such as Andy Quinn (The Noortwyck), Ariana Quant (Uchi) and Jordan Rubin (Mr. Tuna).
Saturday: Al Fuego at Jester King Brewery
The marquee event of the weekend moves to Jester King Brewery, where guests can roam the scenic Hill Country property, sip award-winning spontaneously fermented beers and enjoy live-fire cooking from nearly 20 chefs. Expect smoky, flame-kissed dishes from culinary stars like Edgar Rico (Nixta Taqueria), Amanda Turner (The Fiery Talon) and Michael Fojtasek (Maie Day).
Sunday: Camp Sunnyside at Fair Market
The weekend winds down with Camp Sunnyside, a fireside brunch where chefs and bartenders showcase slow-and-low cookery paired with expertly crafted cocktails. The lineup features award-winning talent, including Ashley Christensen (Poole’s), Beto Robledo (Cuantos Tacos) and Fermín Núñez (Suerte and Este).
This year’s musical talent lineup announcement is forthcoming. Previous years have featured concerts by diverse acts including the Black Pumas, Shiny Ribs, Calexico, and Superchunk, at venues like Mohawk, The Continental Club and Antone’s.
How to get tickets
If you’re looking for the best deal, nab The Whole Enchilada pass for $595, available for a limited time. Ticket price includes all music, bites and beverages (21+ only for adult beverages), early access to the main food events, and entry into every music show. Kids 12 and under get in free with the purchase of two adult Whole Enchilada passes, and special pricing for attendees ages 13-20 is available if the Whole Enchilada pass is purchased a la carte.
Whole Enchilada ticket holders also receive entry to Thursday night’s exclusive festival kickoff at Franklin Barbecue, with guest chefs Ana Castro (Acamaya), Amanda Shulman and Alex Kemp (My Loup), Geoff Davis (Burdell), Lawrence “LT” Smith (Chilte), Nate Barfield (Hot Stuff) and Aaron Franklin himself.
All proceeds benefit the non-profit Southern Smoke Foundation, created by Houston chef/Hot Luck favorite Chris Shepherd. It provides emergency relief funds and advocacy for members of the food and beverage industry and has been a Hot Luck charity beneficiary since 2022.
For more information, visit hotluckfest.com and follow Hot Luck on Facebook and Instagram at @hotluckfest.
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