Find Your Hotspot on Hotpot

"Another social media tool to help me find places near me, what's the difference from all the other ones ..."
This is what most people might be saying when Google Hotpot launched. Even I felt this way until I did some research to see what it was all about.

Although Google Hotpot hasn't been out long, an app for your phone has just been released. This way you can find places while you're out and about.

What is Google Hotpot?
Google is not only to find places near you, but also to find ratings and reviews on different places.
I decided to go online and check it out and fell in love. It's so quick, easy, and kind of fun actually.
You start out by rating the places you know. The more places you rate and give reviews for the more recommendations you receive.
Check it out! You might be given a recommendation that could be your new favorite place!

Local Campaign in Austin
Google Hotpot has launched a campaign in Portland and has decided to come to Austin because of Austin's sense of localness.

Early February Google Hotpot teamed up with Torchy's Tacos to kick off their marketing campaign here in Austin.
To help promote Hotspot Torchy's gave away free tacos at any Torchy's location for one weekend limiting up to 10,000 tacos.
That's a lot of tacos if you ask me, but here in Austin Torchy's is so popular that I bet they ran out fast.


Today, March 29th, Google Hotpot teamed up with Amy's Ice Cream to keep promoting their new tool. They held a Free Ice Cream Day at all Amy's locations giving away a free small cup of ice cream! What a nice treat since summer is now approaching!

Teaming up with local hotspots in Austin is not only helping Google Hotpot get their new tool exposed, but also giving local businesses the exposure that they need. Not only will they bring in customer's with these events, but also Hotpot will help bring in the right customers who are being recommended to these places.

I'm really excited to use Google Hotpot and share with friends and family! This way I might find my new favorite restaurant that otherwise I would have never tried!

For more information:
Check out Google Hotpot: http://www.google.com/hotpot#
Amy's Ice Cream Website: http://www.amysicecreams.com/2.0/#/home/
Torchy's Tacos Website: http://torchystacos.com/

Wine & Food Festival Just Around The Corner

You thought SXSW brought in a crowd.
In just over a week the annual Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival will be held in Austin not only bringing in local foodies but foodies from all over Texas.

Texas Wine & Food Festival is the largest wine and food festival in the lone star state and brings out Texas’s customs, traditions and flavors. This weekend-long event occurs at numerous local Austin venues. With luncheons, educational seminars, live music, celebrity chefs, wine, and food it’s sure to bring about some attention.

I found out about this festival on my daily trip home from work. Even without the slow 5 o’clock traffic I would have still noticed the big banner over Whole Foods, who is this years main sponsor for the festival.
I thought, “Oh this would be perfect for my PR blog and something I might want to check out.”


This event is taking place March 31 through April 3, 2011 and if I wasn’t a poor college student I might drag along a few friends to go check it out.
The word around is to get tickets now before some of the events sell out.
Since tickets are a bit pricy I would recommend doing a little bit of reading to find out which events most interest you. On the website is a free full event download with detailed descriptions and prices.

Getting the word out … with a sneak peak.
Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival decided to give a sneak peak in early February of their annual event happening at the beginning of April.
What a great idea. Giving the community a little taste of what’s to come with an actual mini event.

Here they revealed their new logo. Not only did they present this logo, but also had this new logo in temporary tattoo form. How cool is that?!


Not to say that some people wouldn’t, but personally I’m not sure if I would want to sport a Wine Food tattoo though the idea is still unique and creative.

Events and celebrity chefs were announced as well.
Two chef demonstrations along with buffet of samples were present at the event.
All in all I think the sneak peak was a great way to get the word out about the event to ensure that people know and understand what the festival is all about.

I’m exited to see how the event turns out!
I might even be able to convince my mom to come to Austin for the weekend to attend considering her great obsession with wine!

For more information here are some helpful links:
Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival Website: http://texaswineandfood.org/
Whole Foods Website: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/
Download Free Events Schedule: http://texaswineandfood.org/schedule-events/

SXSW gives a "taste" of Austin

Not only is South By Southwest an annual gig for the music industry, but SXSW now also allows Austin to promote and display its eclectic food industry as well.

People are coming from all over Texas and the United States to attend SXSW. Although they come for the music people have to eat too.

This is a great opportunity for Austin to give people a “taste” of the Texas state capital.

The overwhelming hussel and bussel of the city scares away visitors or new residents from trying new things. Our non-Austinites might cling to the familiar chain restaurants unless they are given information or opportunities to venture out.
I know I've only recently started to break out of my bubble of the recognizable and customary restaurants like Chili's and this will be my third year living in the city.

This year Foodspotting is teaming up with SXSW for a street food scavenger hunt.

March 13, 2010 from 11am-3pm Foodspotting will be hosting a street food scavenger hunt at SXSW bringing together some of Austin’s best street food trucks and carts.

Participating in the scavenger hunt you not only have the potential to win prizes but also get the privilege to taste and experience tons of different types of food.

This is an innovative way of promoting a part of Austin’s food industry that it needs to take advantage of.

I recently enjoyed a vanilla cupcake with strawberry icing and sprinkles from Hey Cupcake, a well-known local truck parked on South Congress. If given the opportunity I wouldn’t want to miss out on trying some of the other local carts and SXSW Street Food Scavenger Hunt is just that.



Follow Foodspotting on Twitter for daily shout-outs of the Scavenger Hunt prize sponsors.

If not able to attend because of Spring Break plans take a trip down South Congress one weekend with a couple a friends. Stroll down the street to find some of Austin’s best food carts. Or venture out on your own scavenger hunt. Print out your guide and make a day of trying some of Austin's most tasty foods.



For more information here is a list of links:

South by Southwest website http://sxsw.com/
Foodspotting website http://www.foodspotting.com/#/
Hey Cupcake website http://www.heycupcake.com/
SXSW Street Food Scavenger Hunt Information & Guide http://www.foodspotting.com/guides/51
Foodspotting on Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/foodspotting