2^nd Annual Austin Meatball Festival Features Meaty Competition
Between Top Austin Restaurants: Event to Benefit Local Charity Lifeworks

(November 2014) Austin, TX ­— Austin’s latest food competition is a whole new ball game. The 2^nd Annual Austin Meatball Festival, featuring a variety of scrumptious meatballs from as many as 15 of Austin’s favorite restaurants, will take place Nov. 22 from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. in the parking area and outdoor area at classic Italian eatery Winflo Osteria, located at 1315 W. Sixth St. Hosted by Winflo, the Austin Meatball Festival will benefit LifeWorks.

The Austin Meatball Festival will include a competition in which restaurants prepare their finest meatball concoctions, from traditional and non-traditional, to meatball sandwiches and sliders. Competing restaurants include Winflo Osteria, Benji’s Cantina, Native Family, Marye’s Pizza, Freedmen’s, NO VA Kitchen, Gusto, Cru Wine Bar, Cipollina, Punch Bowl Social and The Carillon, among others.

This savory meatball competition will be judged by a Critics’ Choice Panel of foodies and meatball aficionados, including food editor Brandon Watson of the Austin Chronicle, deputy editor Jane Kellogg Murray of Austin Way Magazine, Dan Gentile of Thrillist, and food and lifestyle photographer Jody Horton. In addition to the Critics’ Choice, Austin Meatball Festival guests will be able to pick their own favorites in the People’s Choice vote.

In addition to plates of meaty treats, live music will get the ball rolling in The Listening Room, Winflo’s intimate and exclusive music venue downstairs from the restaurant. This year’s artists include Jimmy La Fave, Tameka Jones, and Rocketboys!

Proceeds from the Austin Meatball Festival will be donated to LifeWorks Youth & Family Alliance, a fearless advocate for youth and families seeking their path to self-sufficiency and committed to innovative problem solving, shared accountability and a relentless focus on achieving real, sustainable and measurable results to the clients we serve.

Tickets to the inaugural Austin Meatball Festival are limited. Entry into the festival is $15 per person in advance or $20 per person at the door. Entry into the festival and The Listening Room is $35 per person in advance or $40 at the door. Special VIP access ($300) includes a table for four, complimentary wine and an appetizer, four swag bags and access to The Listening Room all day long. All tickets are available for purchase at https://austinmeatball.ticketbud.com/meatballfest or www.AustinMeatball.com. Restaurants interested in participating in the Austin Meatball Festival may also sign up at www.AustinMeatball.com.

The Austin Meatball Festival will take place Nov. 22, and is hosted by Winflo Osteria, 1315 W. Sixth St., in Austin. For more information about the festival, visit www.AustinMeatball.com, or email AustinMeatball@gmail.com