Rachael Ray Comes Out On Top At SXSW

SXSW rolls around every March here in Austin, TX and one of the events I look most forward to is Rachael Ray's Feedback party.  This year, Rachael partnered with Ball Park on their new product Park's Finest, a line of premium artisan hot dogs. It's the perfect pairing of music and food to kick off the music portion of SXSW. 

Rachael Ray took over an adorable house on the East side of Austin and it was the quintessential Austin setting for the Feedback House.  The casual laid-back environment set the stage for an afternoon of music, food, friends and fun!

I was greeted as I came in, grabbed a drink and caught a set from one of many bands Rachael Ray brings in for the Feedback House.  Making my over to the tasking area, I was delighted to see flights of beer set-up from Blue Moon to accompany each of the new artisan hot dogs.  The new line from Ball Park is made of 100% beef and consisted of the followining offerings:

Slow Smoked Hickory Park – topped with Gouda Cheese Sauce and paired with Blue Moon's Summer Honey Wheat
Signature Seasons – topped with a raspberry mustard and paired with Blue Moon's Belgian White
Smokehouse Barbeque Seasoned – topped with a bbq sauce and paired with Blue Moon's IPA
Cracked Dijon Mustard – topped with caramelized onions and paired with Blue Moon's Pine in the Neck

Each artisan frank was paired with toppings that highlighted the seasonings and beer from Blue Moon.  I was very impressed with these artisan frankfurters – I skipped the bun and just ate the dog and toppings.  I love a good artisan hot dog!

I capped off my afternoon with a scope of Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream — I had been introduced to Jeni's at the Austin Food & Wine Festival preview earlier this year when they served their gluten-free macaroon ice cream sandwiches.  

Saturday I headed over to Rachael Ray's Feedback Party at Stubb's (Rachael takes over Stubb's for the entire day) and was treated to more food and drink then I could even think of taking in, enjoying the musical styling's of Blondie (hello 1980's), Allen Stone (love this dude) and Cee Lo Green.  As I mentioned earlier this is one of my favorite events every year and being able to hang out at Rachael's Feedback House and attend the Feedback Party, I always get to enjoy good music, good food and hang out with friends, as well as make new ones!  Thank you Rachael to you & your team – special shout out to Sophia at MMW for taking care of me.

Want to try these at home?  Check out Rachael Ray's recipe for Kimchi Chow Chow using the "Cracked Dijon Mustard" frankfurter.