Thursday, October 24, 2024
6:30 p.m.
900 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX 78704
Palmer Events Center
5:30-6:30 pm VIP Reception
6:30-9:00 pm Tastings and Program
9:00-10:00 pm After Hours Party
Lead Chef
We are excited to welcome back Rick Lopez as our 2024 Lead Chef. A native Texan with an impressive bio, Rick has been involved with Signature Chefs for many years and has been the Executive Chef at
La Condesa since 2013.
Event Leadership
We would like to thank Jason and Christie Barany for their hard work and dedication to Austin's Signature Chefs as this year's Event Co-Chairs. Jason is the CEO and CIO of
Aero Capital Solutions (ACS), a long time sponsor of Signature Chefs.
The Baranys have two daughters - Bella, born preterm at 33 weeks and spent one month in the NICU and Riley, born at 39 weeks after four months of bedrest. They know firsthand the impact that complicated birth scenarios can have on families. Christie and Jason firmly believe in advocating for those who can’t advocate for themselves and in paying forward the support they received during their own family’s experiences.
These experiences fueled one of the key priorities for corporate giving at ACS, giving back to the local community helps to bridge the social and economic gaps faced by moms, babies and families in the Texas community. ACS has given back to the local community in a variety of ways including, providing funding to a Supportive Pregnancy Care site in Temple, TX, advocating at the March for Change event at the Texas Capitol and volunteering at March for Babies.
AMBASSADOR FAMILY
“We’re going to need to emergency admit you to the hospital as you’re going into active pre-term labor,” Phylicia, and her husband, Nathan Teymer recall her physician saying in the best possible bedside manner after her 24-week ultrasound in July 2021. The rest of their physician’s words faded out, as if suspended in time, as they both quickly tried to understand the implications and immediate next actions required – which was the beginning of a very long & harrowing, yet miraculous 147-day NICU survival story of their baby boy, Ethan, born 4 months early at only 1 lb 11 oz, and a family’s love, an enduring preemie spirit, and doctors’ dedication.
As a family who struggled deeply with infertility, Phylicia said “nothing, nothing prepares you for the initial anxiety of really living on life's edge minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, hoping your child lives after the hearing the specialist tell you the odds before going into emergency labor.”
Ethan is now an energetic 2 year old defying the odds and who loves playing with cars and trains and likes to run, jump, and climb — making the early months of ongoing oxygen support seem like distant memories. The Teymer Family is grateful for the March of Dimes researched surfactant therapy their son received which helped save his life by keeping his premature lungs and airways open without collapsing and for all the articles they read throughout the early months in the NICU.
MEET OUR EMCEE
We are thrilled to welcome back Tierra Neubaum as our emcee!
Tierra Neubaum is the lifestyle reporter and host of her very own new lifestyle show, "Tierra's Texas", at FOX 7 Austin. She highlights the people, places and events that make Austin and the surrounding areas unique. She finds, plans and reports her feature stories, with a visit to a new location every weekday. Tierra loves shining a positive light on the community.
She is also heavily involved in our local community, emceeing galas, serving as host during local events, and reporting on racing at Circuit of the Americas. Tierra is a graduate of The University of Texas, where she received a degree in journalism. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants and being active and outdoors with her husband, family and friends.
View our updated event acknowledgements and waivers here.
