Upcoming Events
Good Work Austin hosts a variety of events that bring together food and beverage professionals, industry supporters, and community members across Austin. From professional development workshops and networking opportunities to fundraising events and community gatherings, our events are designed to support and celebrate the people who make Austin’s food scene thrive.
Whether you work in the industry, own a business, support local restaurants, or simply care about building a stronger and more equitable food system, there’s a place for you at Good Work Austin events.
Here are a few reasons to join us:
Learn from industry leaders
Gain valuable insights through workshops, panels, and conversations featuring chefs, entrepreneurs, and experts from across the hospitality industry.
Build meaningful connections
Meet and connect with fellow food and beverage professionals, local business owners, and community supporters at networking and social events.
Support Austin’s food community
Please note: Space is limited for many events, so we encourage early registration.
While some events are free and open to the public, others may be reserved for members or include discounted pricing for Good Work Austin members. To learn more about membership benefits, visit Good Work Austin Membership at www.goodworkaustin.org/membership..
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Union 101: Building Worker Power
When: Monday, October 19th from 12-1PM
Where: Windsor Park Branch Library, Room #1
Ever wondered what it takes to organize with your coworkers or make your voice heard at work?
Join Good Work Austin for an informal conversation with an organizer from Starbucks Workers United! Learn the basics of union organizing, ask questions, and connect with fellow food and beverage workers. Whether you're curious about unions or interested in making changes in your workplace, all are welcome!
No RSVP Needed. Bring a friend
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Fall Specialty Day
When: Tuesday, October 27th from 10AM-2PM
Where: Hold Out Brewing Event Space
Tickets: Free for members | $10 for non-members
Join us for a hands-on career exploration day designed for food workers who want to try something new, build skills, or learn what’s next.
You’ll hear directly from Good Work Austin members about what their work is really like, how they got started, and what it takes to break in. Presentations will be a mix of learning, demonstration, and time to ask questions.
Speaker Line Up:
Amber Scribner – Desnudo Coffee
Coffee Tasting Experience
Start off Specialty Day with an immersive coffee tasting led by Desnudo Coffee. Participants will sample three distinct coffees while learning about the origins of each bean, from sourcing to production. This session offers a deeper appreciation for flavor profiles, ethical sourcing, and the craft behind every cup.Libby Goldman - Pickle Envy
Fermentation 101
Libby Goldman is the owner of Pickle Envy, a small-batch fermentation kitchen based in Austin specializing in using locally grown, organic produce. They will share about how they got started in the food industry, what fermentation is all about, and share some important tips and tricks about owning/running a specialty food business.
Libby Taylor - Hold Out Brewing
Beer 101
Speed run some beer basics! We will cover ingredients and the brewing process and styles - with an emphasis on the most popular flavor profiles. A brief convo on pairing basics, but as important, how to find the right beer for your guest. Samples included with a quick Q&A at the end.
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Tools of the Trade: A Practical History of Modern Mixology
When: Tuesday, Nov 3rd from 11AM-1PM
Where: DrinkWell (207 E 53rd St, Austin, TX 78751)
Tickets: Free for members | $10 for non-members
Good Work Austin (GWA) is excited to offer this hands-on training with GWA Member business DrinkWell and owner Jessica Sanders!
Tools of the Trade is a hands-on learning series where GWA member businesses and industry pros help F&B workers build new skills and explore different career paths. In this session, get behind the bar to learn the building blocks of cocktails, practice bartending skills, and explore careers in the beverage world. No bartending experience required!
This session will give students a practical introduction on the history of mixology and the six core cocktail ‘families’ that all food and beverage professionals should know. The class will cover a brief history of spirits and cocktails and show how only six core recipe templates can be used to create hundreds of new drinks. In addition, students will get a peek behind the curtain of a modern cocktail bar to learn about the importance of mise en place when executing a bar menu. Finally, students will learn about the many career opportunities that exist in the beverage world and how to progress from porter/barback up through beverage management.
Following the classroom portion of the session, students will have the opportunity to rotate in small groups in a hands workshop to learn how to use modern bar tools to prepare a basic sour/citrus-forward style cocktail and a basic spirit-forward cocktails using non-alcoholic spirits.
Space is limited, get your spot while you can!
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November Shift Notes: Paying your workers
When: Thursday, November 12th from 10-11AM
Where: Gati Cafe
Tickets: Free and open to all F&B leaders
Join us for Shift Notes, GWA's monthly peer-to-peer gathering for member business owners and managers, hosted by Good Work Austin.
Shift Notes is a space to connect with other hospitality leaders, exchange ideas, and talk through the real challenges of running hospitality businesses in Austin.
November's discussion will focus on how we pay our workers. Come for honest conversation, peer support, and collective problem-solving with folks who care about building stronger workplaces and a stronger local food and beverage industry. Hope to see you there!