At Candlelight Ranch, healing begins not just in nature, but in the love and generosity poured out by the Austin restaurant community—where every meal served becomes an act of hope. For more than two decades, local chefs and restaurateurs have opened their hearts and kitchens to help children and families of all abilities learn, explore, and heal in nature.
Nowhere is that spirit more beautifully on display than at Candlelight Ranch’s annual Light a Path gala, an evening that has become a cherished tradition within the Candlelight community and an essential event in raising funds that sustain our mission each year. Each fall, some of Austin’s most beloved restaurants transform the gala into a culinary experience that celebrates both flavor and purpose. Their food fuels the evening, but their generosity fuels the heart of Candlelight Ranch. The restaurants are, without question, vital to the success of this event and to the countless lives it impacts.
Among these cherished partners are Jack and LuAnn Gilmore of Jack Allen’s Kitchen, whose family has supported the Ranch since 2013. Each holiday season, the Gilmores and their grandchildren handpick Christmas gifts for Candlelight Ranch families, ensuring every child experiences the warmth of the season. Their son, Bryce Gilmore, carries that same legacy of generosity through Odd Duck, continuing a family tradition of service and community.
Carlos, Santos, and Patricia of Blue Corn Harvest bring their signature Hill Country hospitality to Light a Path and the annual Chili Cook-Off & Car Show, serving with joy and heart year after year. Roberto Espinosa of Tacodeli, whose restaurant and Candlelight Ranch both began in 1999, has stood beside the Ranch for 25 years, growing together through shared values of connection and care. And from the very beginning, Quality Seafood’s Carol Huntsberger has been a cornerstone of support, uniting chefs and restaurants around the cause of helping children thrive.
Candlelight Ranch is also deeply grateful for the many other culinary partners who make Light a Path a celebration of community and compassion. The 2025 lineup included Salt Traders Coastal Cooking, Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream, Via 313 Pizzeria, El Dorado Café, Mama Betty’s Café, SLAB BBQ & Beer, and Michelle’s Patisserie, each bringing their own flavor, creativity, and heart to the table.
Together, these restaurants remind us that food has the power to do more than delight; it can connect, comfort, and create change. Through every shared meal and act of kindness, Austin’s culinary community helps light the path for children and families to discover healing, hope, and joy at Candlelight Ranch.
Learn more about the Ranch’s events and programs here: candlelightranch.org