The annual all-women-and-non-binary grilling event hosted by the Austin chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier, You Grill, Girl!, returns April 24 with a new prom-themed twist and a mission to raise funds for scholarships supporting local culinary professionals.
The event will take place from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at the Franklin Barbecue parking lot. Tickets are now on sale for $95 (general admission, 7 p.m. entry) and $140 (VIP, 6 p.m. entry and a gift bag). All food and drink are included in the ticket price, and children under 13 enter free with a ticketed adult. Proceeds benefit women and non-binary individuals in the food, beverage and hospitality industries through the Austin Dames’ scholarship program.
This year’s theme, “Dame Prom,” encourages guests to show up in tiaras, tuxes and taffeta for a night of glitz and grilled fare. An all-star lineup of chefs will represent a range of Austin restaurants, including eight Michelin-recognized spots.
You Grill, Girl! lineup
This year’s participating chefs include:
- Tiffany DeJesus and Janie Ramirez of Dai Due
- Alexa Mejia of Emmer & Rye
- Sarah McIntosh of Épicerie
- Sarah Petmecky, Amie Brown and Theo Nesland of Franklin Barbecue
- Jackie Letelier of Keveri Grills
- Ali Clem of la Barbecue
- Daniela and Rosa de Lima Hernández of La Santa Barbacha
- Susana Querejazu of Lutie’s
- Amanda Turner of Olamaie
- Laura Sawicki of Oseyo
- Chelsea Fadda of Pecan Square Café
- Trish Fortuna of Poke Poke
- Anna Tauzin of Sweet Treets Bakery
- Jam Sanitchat of Thai Fresh
- Carol Huntsberger of Quality Seafood
Austin’s culinary talent on display
“What I love about You Grill, Girl! is that it’s women supporting women,” said Emily Stengel, fundraising committee member for the Les Dames d’Escoffier Austin Chapter. “We plan it, we cook, and it all goes back to support other women in the community.”
Along with food cooked over live fire, guests can expect craft cocktails by Jessica Sanders of DrinkWell and music from DJ Cassandra, the first woman to win Best DJ at the Austin Music Awards, who will be DJing throughout the evening. A “grill gallery” in the center of the space will showcase chefs’ techniques, ranging from charcoal ovens to live-fire paella.
Exclusive silent auction packages will also be available, including tickets to Austin City Limits Festival and Austin Food + Wine Festival, dining experiences at Emmer & Rye and Hillside Farmacy, and tastings from Vista Brewing and Pedernales Cellars. Online bidding begins April 18.
Making a local impact
Founded in 2003, the Austin chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier has awarded more than $351,000 in scholarships and stipends, including $50,000 in 2024 alone. “You Grill, Girl!” has played a key role in that impact since its inception in 2019.
“The spring scholarships are amazing,” Stengel said. “There are so many roadblocks in small food businesses, and this support helps people do things they’ve never been able to do before.”
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit their website. Follow @austindames on Instagram for updates.
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