The Fourth Annual Butcher's Ball returns Oct. 20 with celebrated Texas chefs and culinary leaders

Having positioned itself over the past three years as one of the most highly anticipated annual culinary and educational events in Texas, The Butcher’s Ball returns to Rockin’ Star Ranch in Brenham, Texas on Sunday, Oct. 20 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. With a mission to showcase the independent farms and ranches in Texas actively engaging in ethical and sustainable production processes, The Butchers Ball strives to make a stronger connection between the producer and the consumer. For 2019, over 50 chefs, butchers, farmers, ranchers, educators, bartenders and other leaders in the culinary industry will converge for a day of chef tastings, competitions, demonstrations, discussions, entertainment and more. The day’s festivities will not only educate, entertain and feed the public, but also raise money for the Houston-based nonprofit Urban Harvest and their ongoing farmers markets that directly support the local farming and ranching community. Tickets start at $100 and are available at www.butchersball.com. For Austinites wishing to drive, Rockin’ Star Ranch is approximately one hour and forty five minutes from Central Austin. A shuttle bus will be available that day departing from Mosaic Sound Collective in East Austin off MLK, one block east of Highway 183. Roundtrip cost will be $50 and more information will be sent to ticket buyers within a week of the event. One of the highlights of The Butcher’s Ball is the Golden Cleaver Competition – a public vote for the “best bite” of the day. Participants in the Golden Cleaver Competition over the past three years were asked to nominate their favorite chefs in Texas that are passionate about supporting their local farm and ranch communities, and who are creating impressive cuisine using their products. The 2019 Golden Cleaver competition will feature 20 chefs from across the state who will utilize proteins and produce sourced exclusively from Texas farms and ranches. This year’s Golden Cleaver competitors include: Bramwell Tripp, Loro, Austin Sarah Heard & Nathan Lemley, Foreign & Domestic, Austin Callie Speer, Holy Roller, Austin Cullen Holle, Jax Brenham, Brenham Justin Manning, C&J Barbecue, College Station David Uygur, Lucia / Macellaio, Dallas Peja Krstic, Mot Hai Ba, Dallas Mark Scott, Convenience West, Marfa Brandi Key, Alice Blue, Houston Dawn Burrell, Kulture, Houston Evelyn Garcia, Decatur Bar & Pop-Up Factory, Houston Jonny Rhodes, Indigo, Houston Martin Stayer, Nobie’s, Houston Monica Pope, Sparrow Cookshop, Houston Tony Luhrman, El Topo, Houston (2018 Golden Cleaver Champion) Wade Elkins, James McFarland, Mike Michna, Reveille Barbecue Co., Magnolia Austin Simmons, TRIS, The Woodlands Jeff Balfour, Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery, San Antonio Nicola Blaque, The Jerk Shack, San Antonio Steve McHugh, Cured, San Antonio