Each spring, The Junior League of Austin (JLA) proudly holds the Austin Entertains fundraiser. The event supports entrepreneurs and innovative women in the culinary and beverage industry by showcasing the Austin area’s top chefs and bartenders. Since 2020, eight participants including Jen D. Rodriguez (3 Small Plates Catering), Michelle Dayon (Michelle’s Patisserie), Elisia Velasquez (Teddy V. Patisserie), and Krystal Craig (Intero Restaurant), have received a total of more than $67,000 in awards.

Austin Entertains Pillars

Culinary Showcase: A primary goal of Austin Entertains is to elevate and celebrate female entrepreneurs that fuel the culinary arts industry by featuring female leaders in Austin area restaurants, bars, breweries, wineries, and distilleries.

Fellowship Award: Grants are awarded to culinary participants to help further their educational, business, or professional development. The fellowships include grants and a package of professional services to be used to advance the recipient’s business and professional development in the culinary field.

Community Impact: Monies raised also help JLA’s community program, Food In Tummies (FIT), which combats food insecurity in east Austin and Del Valle ISD. FIT provides bags of food for 900 students each weekend to help feed the 88% of students who are considered economically disadvantaged. Full tummies help improve school attendance, student health, grades, and more!

Audiences

Participants: Female chefs, bartenders, brewers, winemakers, spirit purveyors, and industry leaders from the Austin area’s most recognized and awarded restaurants, bars, breweries, wineries, and distilleries.

Patrons: Our donors and sponsors in the past have included brands and corporations like Whole Foods, H-E-B, Dulce Vida, Nyle Maxwell, Coca-Cola SW Bev, Barton Springs Mill, and Chevron. Other patrons include local stores and businesses of all sizes.

JLA Members & General Public: Austin Entertains grows year over year. Attendance has been upwards of 500. Participants and patrons also have exposure to over 40,000 followers and readers across all of our JLA media channels.