St. David’s Foundation’s “Toast Of The Town” Party Series In Austin Serves Up Over 20 Unique Events To Round Out The Social Season

Proceeds Provide Scholarships For Central Texans To Pursue Careers In Health

By Rob Giardinelli     Photography by Matthew Fuller

THE SCENE: Throughout May, several hundred of Austin’s most notable community leaders, sociables, and medical professionals turned out for the 41^st Annual Toast of the Town. Benefiting the St. David’s Foundation, the party series featured a diverse and fun mix of 17 intimate, bespoke parties ranging from 14 to 40 guests, as well as four “Toast At Home” events. The patrons experienced amazing cuisine, delicious wines, and great conversations that perfectly highlight why Toast of the Town has long been one of Central Texas’ most beloved annual signature fundraising events.

THE VIBE: Each of the parties featured an Austin-chic attire where the various event themes had guests donning everything from sundresses and sport coats, to cowboy hats and sports jerseys. This allowed each event to have a warm, family-like atmosphere that made everyone feel welcome.

This year’s party series kicked off atop the Austonian for a Chateau de Pommard Burgundy tasting, where guests sipped the delicious vintage while taking in breathtaking views of the Austin skyline. Wine lovers also had the opportunity to experience a Sunday Wine School at Westlake Favorite Neighborhood Vintner.

Those who preferred to savor and sip something more substantial were in luck with several cocktail-themed events at exclusive venues around town. These included a Bootleggers & Barrels: A Texas Speakeasy Soirée at a private speakeasy in Georgetown and a Night with the Macallan and UT Legends Whiskey tasting at the Music Box House on Lake Austin. And, of course, no Austin party series would be complete without a night with iconic Texas musician and GRAMMY®-Award-winning musician, Ray Benson, who headlined an Authentically Austin event at a private residence where revelers sipped whiskey while enjoying many of the legend’s classic tunes.

Foodies also had their fill of several bespoke dinner party options. Guests could experience a Private Chef’s Table Experience at the über-popular Ling Kitchen, a four-course Wine and Dine Soirée at a private Austin residence with a menu curated by the winner of the popular Netflix show, Sugar Rush, Amir Hailmaieki, a night at Franklin’s Barbecue to celebrate the return of legendary University of Texas Football Coach Mack Brown, who, with his wife, Sally, recently moved back to Austin. The dinner parties concluded in late May with a private dining experience at Austin’s hottest new restaurant, Aris, and a farmhouse-chic experience at the iconic Uchiko.

Booklovers also had plenty of amazing experiences to choose from. Guests descended to a Westlake home with stunning views of Downtown Austin for an evening with the author of the new novel, The Gunfighters: How Texas Made The West Wild by Bryan Burrough, and an evening at Tarry House with the King of Diamonds author Rena Pederson, which chronicles a still-unsolved series of break-ins in Dallas in the 50’s and 60’s, and a cocktails and conversation experience with National Security Expert Chuck DeVore.

No event series would be complete without music, and this year’s Toast of the Town series offered two bespoke musical experiences. The first was a night with the renowned Juilliard String Quartet, held at a stunning home on Lake Austin. The second, capped off the Toast party season, where it all began at The Austonian, for a night of jazz and New Orleans-style cuisine with the renowned Jeff Lofton Quartet, putting the exclamation point and a full circle moment on another dazzling Toast of the Town party season.

THE NON-PROFIT: The 2025 St. David’s Foundation Toast of the Town, co-chaired by Felicia Hester and Araminta Sellers, raised $2.25 million for the St. David’s Foundation. Proceeds raised from the event will go towards the St. David’s Neal Kocurek Scholarship Program. The scholarship offers recipients residing in the Austin area an annual $7,500 award for up to eight years to pursue a career in the medical field, with many recipients being the first in their family to attend college.