Austin, TX
Culinary instructor talks local benefits of Texas Michelin Guide
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas is close to having its first Michelin-star restaurant, with several cities, including Austin, becoming featured destinations. The announcement could benefit not only restaurant-goers but also local culinary students.
Jamie Vaughn, a culinary arts educator with Austin ISD, spoke with KXAN about Austin’s recent recognition in the Michelin Guide, which could create more job opportunities for students and allow them to train at Michelin-star restaurants in Texas.
Read an edited transcription of the conversation below or use the video player above to watch.
KXAN: Talk to us about the program with Austin ISD. What is it? And how long has it been around?
VAUGHN: We’re heading into our 24th year with Hospitality and Culinary Arts at Travis Early College High School, and it is a dynamic program because it’s a community program. Travis is a true community school in the heart of Austin. It’s been around since 1953. You can’t go anywhere that you don’t find somebody who hasn’t graduated from Travis or worked at Travis.
But more than that, we have so many great business partners for our hospitality and culinary students. We work with the Visit Austin Foundation, the Austin Restaurant Association, and the Hotel and Lodging Association. It’s a unique program, and our students not only train in our classes, they go out into the industry in Austin. So, they’re interning at local hotels, like the Hilton and the Fairmont and Visit Austin and in local restaurants.
We also have a unique program called a P-TECH (Pathways in Technology), which is different than most high school programs. The opportunity we wanted for our students was for them to get a college degree while they were getting their high school degree. So we’ve partnered with ACC, and students can enroll in AISD, Travis, and get their degree in hotel and restaurant specialization while they’re at Travis for free. So they’re taking classes simultaneously.
KXAN: We want to focus on your students. Tell us about what some of their dreams are, and maybe why they participate in the program.
VAUGHN: I just get emotional because our students are so funny and they’re talented and they’re hard-working. Their dreams are not much different than your dreams in high school or mine, which was—they’re trying to figure out what their passions are. What do they want to do? And how can they get there?
We’ve got just incredible faculty and staff at Travis. They get to know every single student and so do their mentors out in the hotel and restaurant industry. And they say, ‘What do you like, how can we help you get there?’ And the students just really thrive. I mean, they really just meet every goal they have for themselves and that we have for them. They’re just excited about the industry, and we’re happy to help them on that path.
KXAN: The Michelin Guide naming Austin as one of its feature destinations—What kind of opportunities could this huge announcement provide for the students that you work with?
VAUGHN: This is so big for our students and their families and our community. First, we know what’s going to bring tourism to Austin, right? I know some people are like no more tourists, no more cars. But tourism is so important to this community. It’s really what makes our community thrive, so for our students and their families, it means jobs.
Restaurants in Austin are the number one private employer, and so it’s going to create more jobs for them. But more importantly, aspiring chefs can stay home if they want to train at a Michelin-star restaurant or with those chefs. We’ve always had great chefs in Central Texas.
If you had a student who was like, ‘I want to work at a Michelin-star restaurant,’ you had to send them out of state, and so for them now, we want them to stay here. We don’t want to lose their talents, so we want them to be able to train at Michelin star restaurants in Texas, and in Central Texas. We want them to then turn to give back to the community that raised them., so this is just incredibly exciting news for our school and our students and their families.
KXAN: Is there anything else that you want people to know anything else that people should know about the future of the program, how this might expand and even attract more students?
VAUGHN: The future of hospitality and culinary is just thriving, especially in Austin. When you look at the great community, they are not just operating in a silo, their stepping out to us insane. Send us the next generation. We want to train your students and we want to grow them here. Michelin is going to be a great opportunity for that. I want students to know that no matter where they are in Central Texas, they can come to AISD and come to Travis and be part of these dynamic programs and go on to work in a Michelin-star restaurant.
Updated: Sunday, January 4, 2026
Jump To: Full-Service | Affordable | Group
As the new year approaches, many Austinites are setting fresh fitness goals and rethinking their workout routines. Austin’s gym scene continues to evolve in 2026, offering everything from luxury athletic clubs to no-frills strength gyms and high-energy group fitness studios.
Whether you’re training for performance, looking for community, or simply trying to stay consistent, these gyms in Austin stand out for their programming, facilities, and overall value.
Editor’s Note: Our staff works hard to bring you the latest information. However, all information mentioned in this article is subject to change. As always, please confirm before heading out.
Also, check out our articles on the Healthy Food Cedar Park, Healthy Food Round Rock, and Healthy Food in Austin!
Full-Service Gyms
Life Time
Image credit: Life Time Austin North
Life Time is ideal for those who want a premium, all-in-one fitness experience. Members have access to expansive workout floors, boutique-style classes, pools, recovery amenities, and family-friendly programming.
Where: 1301 S Lamar Blvd, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78704
Operating Hours: Saturday – Sunday 6:00 am – 10:00 pm | Monday – Friday 4:00 am – 11:00 pm
Gold’s Gym
Gold’s Gym remains a staple for strength training and general fitness in Austin. With multiple locations, members benefit from large free-weight areas, machines, group classes, and personal training options.
Where: 13435 N Hwy 183, Austin, TX 78750
Operating Hours: Saturday – Sunday 7:00 am – 9:00 pm | Monday – Friday 5:00 am – 11:00 pm
Hyde Park Gym
Hyde Park Gym is a longtime favorite among serious lifters in Austin. Known for its old-school atmosphere, it prioritizes heavy lifting, strength equipment, and a focused training environment.
Where: 4125 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78751
Operating Hours: Saturday 8:00 am – 7:00 pm | Monday – Friday 6:00 am – 9:00 pm | Saturday 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Affordable & Budget-Friendly Gyms
Korrect Fitness
Image credit: Korrect Fitness
Korrect Fitness is a premier 10,000-square-foot training facility in South Austin that specializes in functional performance through small group conditioning, unconventional equipment like steel maces and kettlebells, and elite recovery amenities including cold plunges and saunas.
Where: 4401 Freidrich Ln, Unit 301, Austin, TX 78744
Operating Hours: Saturday – Sunday 7:00 am – 6:00 pm | Monday – Friday 5:00 am – 9:00 pm
Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness is best for beginners or anyone looking for a low-pressure, affordable gym membership. The gym focuses on cardio equipment, circuit training, and a welcoming environment.
Where: 1807 W Slaughter Ln, Austin, TX 78748
Operating Hours: 24/7
Anytime Fitness
Anytime Fitness offers 24-hour access and smaller gym footprints, making it a convenient option for busy schedules. It’s a solid choice for members who value consistency and flexibility.
Where: 8516 Anderson Mill Rd, Austin, TX 78729
Operating Hours: 24/7
FeV Iron Vault Gym
Image credit: FeV – Iron Vault Gym
Iron Vault Gym caters to powerlifters, bodybuilders, and experienced strength athletes. The gym emphasizes high-quality equipment and a no-frills approach to training.
Where: 2101 W. Ben White BLVD #105, Back of building facing Redd St, Austin, TX 78704
Operating Hours: Saturday – Sunday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | Monday = Friday 7:00 am – 8:00 pm
Group Fitness & Specialty Studios
Orangetheory
Orangetheory delivers coach-led group workouts combining cardio, rowing, and strength intervals. The structured format appeals to members who want accountability and efficient, results-driven sessions.
Where: 401 W 3rd St, Austin, TX 78701
Operating Hours: Saturday – Sunday 7:00 am – 2:00 pm | Monday – Thursday 5:00 am – 8:00 pm | Friday 5:00 am – 6:00 pm
F45 Training
F45 focuses on fast-paced functional training in a group setting. Daily workout variations keep classes engaging, making it popular with members who enjoy high-energy, team-based fitness.
Where: 500 E 4th St, Austin, TX 78701
Operating Hours: Saturday 9:00 am – 12:00 pm | Sunday 9:30 am – 11:15 am | Monday – Thursday 5:30 am – 7:15 pm | Friday 5:30 am – 6:15 pm
Big Tex Gym
Image credit: Big Tex Gym
Big Tex Gym is a veteran-owned, old-school strength sanctuary in North Austin that provides 24/7 access to specialized equipment for powerlifting, bodybuilding, and strongman training within a supportive community atmosphere.
Where: 1921 Cedar Bend Dr A 130, Austin, TX 78758
Operating Hours: 24/7
Many gyms offer free trials or seasonal promotions at the start of the year, making January an ideal time to explore. And once you’ve locked in your workouts, you can also check out our weekend guide of activities and events!
Lacey is a freelancer and Austin local who’s always on the hunt for new restaurants to try, fun activities to do, and local events to attend. She loves sharing her discoveries with others through her writing and hopes her work encourages both visitors and locals to be active in the community. When she’s not writing, you can find her exploring one of the city’s many hiking trails with her Blue Heeler, Oreo, getting lost in a good book, or dancing the night away to some house or techno beats at one of her favorite rave spots.
Accident or crime scene cordon tape, police line do not cross. via Getty Images
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas – A juvenile has been arrested Saturday after an early morning double-homicide near Round Rock.
The situation ended after officials successfully negotiated a barricade situation with the minor, they say.
Williamson County double-homicide
What we know:
Williamson County authorities got the shooting call around 2 a.m. from the 8900 block of Brushy Gate Cove, outside the Round Rock city limits.
Williamson County sheriff’s deputies found two men dead of gunshot wounds at the scene. The suspect was barricaded inside a bedroom in the home.
Williamson County SWAT and crisis negotiators responded, and the suspect peacefully surrendered around 6:30 a.m.
Officials say there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Williamson County officials comment
What they’re saying:
“On our arrival, we found two deceased people from the residence, adult males,” said Commander John Foster of the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.
“Anytime you have a barricaded subject inside of a home where we believe two people are deceased, you know, we’re going to take all precautionary measures that we can to ensure our safety and the safety of the neighbors as well,” said Foster.
Investigators say everyone involved resided in the house and that this was an isolated incident.
“Information is going to be very limited, because this is a juvenile investigation, and certain laws protect certain information regarding juveniles,” said Foster.
What we don’t know:
The identity of the minor suspect has not been released.
The victims were not identified.
The motive behind the shooting has not been commented on.
The Source: Information in this article came from the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.
Samsung is taking steps to provide Apple with image sensors built with advanced technology for iPhones. Reportedly, the sensors for the iPhone will be manufactured in Samsung’s current Austin, Texas facility, and the company is anticipated to soon have production equipment installed for the upcoming project.
The image sensor of the iPhone is expected to have a three-stack design for better low-light performance and a higher density of pixels with multiple layers stacked vertically. This results in less power consumption, a dynamic range that’s higher, and faster speeds for readouts.
It’s believed that the new sensor will be made for the upcoming iPhone 18 in 2027. Apple and Samsung have reportedly arrived at a deal where Samsung will be supplying the component for the sensor. This marks the first occasion Apple will be going with another company apart from Sony as their main supplier for image sensors for its iPhones.
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