P.S. Yes, I’ve been known to attend Holy Trinity from time to time. But I’m not coming to the defense of my people for personal reasons. I’m defending the hundreds of volunteers who are just trying to serve their community and do a good thing for the church. How can you find fault with that?

2009 Taste of Dallas

Texas’ largest free festival

WHAT: The Taste of Dallas is the largest free festival in Texas. This three-day celebration of summer fun includes taste bud-pleasing food prepared by area restaurants and chefs; live entertainment by regional and local performers; games and children’s activities; and a wide array of jewelry, arts and crafts. This year marks the 23^rd anniversary of the landmark Dallas event.

WHEN: Friday, July 10 – 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Saturday, July 11 – 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Sunday, July 12 – Noon – 8 p.m.

WHERE: West End Historic District in the heart of downtown Dallas.

COST: Free admission, music and entertainment. Food, nonalcoholic and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase.

ANTICIPATED

ATTENDANCE: More than 300,000 people

FOOD: Food is the star at Taste of Dallas. With more than 40 popular Dallas-area restaurants grilling, soufflé-ing, stir-frying, slow-roasting, deep-frying, pan-searing and just plain and simple cooking, there is sure to be a style of food to please everyone’s taste buds during this food extravaganza. Taste revelers can sample tasty treats from many of their favorite restaurants for just a fraction of the typical menu price.  Food and beverages will be for sale throughout the event in restaurant booths.

Festival-goers can enjoy samples from restaurant participants such as:

· Clay Pit

· Fish Express

· Gator’s Croc N Roc

· Bangkok City

· Istanbul Grill

· Hoffbrau Steakhouse

· Landry’s Seafood

· Go Falafel

· Poblanos

· Chamberlain’s Steak & Chop House

· RJ Mexican Cuisine

· Carl’s Carribean Soul

· Y.O. Ranch Steakhouse

· Frankie’s Sports Bar and Grill

· Texas de Brazil

· The Butcher Shop Steakhouse

ENTERTAINMENT: Music enthusiasts of all kinds can enjoy Taste’s non-stop, live music on the “Main Course” stage and the “Appetizer” stage with performances by the Taste house band, The Foodies. New this year, Taste, in conjunction with NBC 5, will be producing its first ever talent show “nbcdfw.com’s DFW’s Got Talent”. Talented performers of all kinds, including musicians, magicians and comedians, in the DFW area are welcome to participate and can sign up at the event Friday, June 10 and Saturday, June 11. Preliminary competitions will be held that same Friday and Saturday with The Finals taking place on Sunday, June 12.

KIDS ACTIVITIES: The Taste will also offer a wide array of interactive family-friendly activities and games at the event. This year, Taste Town is sponsored by Disney and will feature an interactive area just for kids that includes face painting, bounce houses, slides and more. Additionally, Taste Town will be hosting meet-and-greets with three of Disney’s most famous stars, Chelsea Staub from “JONAS,” Moises Arias from “Hannah Montana” and Sterling Knight from “Sonny With A Chance.” Please see the below schedule for dates and times to come out and meet the stars.

• 1. • • Chelsea Staub: Friday, July 10 – 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
       • Moises Arias: Saturday, July 11 – 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
       • Sterling Knight: Sunday, July 12 – 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.

NBA NATION: Hoops fans of all ages will be able to show off their basketball skills at NBA Nation, presented by T-Mobile USA & Kia Motors, the league’s largest mobile basketball playground that travels around the country giving fans an opportunity to boast their basketball skills. NBA Nation, which also includes associate partners Haier America and Sprite, provides fans of all ages a variety of free interactive basketball activities and competitions including the new T-Mobile myFaves Court as well as the Kia Motors Performance Challenge.

Participants in the Kia Motors Performance Challenge will compete against each other for their city’s best time and a chance to earn a spot in the Challenge Finals on July 12, 2008, in Dallas, where contenders will vie for the grand prize of an all new Kia Soul or Kia Forte.

Additional events include the Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown where fans can use their creativity and basketball skills to perform their best dunks before a panel of judges including NBA Nation Ambassador Darryl Dawkins. One winner from each city will receive a $1,000 prize and continue competing for the chance to be crowned the very first Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown Champion at NBA All-Star 2010 in Dallas. Additionally, fans can also participate in the Kia Motors Trivia Challenge, Haier Shooting Stars, T-Mobile Prize Pod, Kia Motors Performance Photo-Ops, Mobile VIP Sky Deck, Measure Up, NBA’s 50 Greatest Plays and Video Arcade.

]]> http://sidedish.dmagazine.com/2009/07/09/what-to-do-this-weekend-taste-of-dallas/feed/ 1 http://sidedish.dmagazine.com/2009/06/23/sidedish-tasters-choice-southwestern-foodservice-expo/ http://sidedish.dmagazine.com/2009/06/23/sidedish-tasters-choice-southwestern-foodservice-expo/#comments Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:32:10 +0000 Nancy Nichols http://sidedish.dmagazine.com/?p=6271 The Southwest Foodservice Expo starts next Sunday. Last week, I posted names of the Dishers picked to attend. If your name is on the list and you  have NOT received a confirmation e-mail from me, click on my name below and let me know. We will be the Twittering Fools. (DSideDish)

Eligible Dishers:
foodczar, Shane, DallasDeliFan, webra, JJFoodie, TM, Brandy, Lori, Andrew, Robin, Rob, Lori, S, Margie, Lindsay.

To get ready for his California close-up, will host a series of Cakebread wine pairing dinners in July (9th, 21st, and 30th.) These four-course dinners will be a celebration of the summer’s harvest with each dish paired with five Cakebread wines. Cost of dinners is $110 per person. Deets below.

Cakebread’s Annual American Harvest Workshop welcomes the industry’s finest

Scott Gottlich is no stranger to being one in five. As one of five chefs in Dallas to be awarded five stars from the Dallas Morning News for his restaurant, Bijoux, getting the news that he was one of only five chefs invited to take part in Cakebread Cellars’ American Harvest Workshop had a familiar ring to it.
Reserved for the industry’s finest, the 23rd annual American Harvest Workshop, held September 12-16, 2009 at Cakebread Cellars in Rutherford, CA, is a gathering of five celebrated chefs from around the world along with top artisan food producers, select media and consumers to learn about and celebrate the bounty of America’s food and wine producers. The event’s hands-on, intensive schedule explores the art of wine and food through seminars and in-depth tastings, working the grape harvest, an on-site farmers market, farm visits, and planning and creating meals using the products found at the market. The four-day affair will culminate in two harvest dinners where participants can unwind and toast to their labors.
Chef Gottlich will be in great company with other top chefs such as Deborah Paquette from Restaurant Zola in Nashville, TN; Mark Liberman from Forte Palm Beach in West Palm Beach, FL; Rob Wilson from The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel in Dana Point, CA; and international toque, Ryan Stringer from Ely Chq Brasserie in Dublin, Ireland. “I am incredibly honored to be selected by an organization as respected as Cakebread to take part in an event as prestigious as the American Harvest Workshop. As a tremendous fan of both Cakebread wines and of the chefs and purveyors present at the event, I’m sure this will be an unforgettable experience,” says Gottlich.
To celebrate this prestigious honor, Chef Gottlich will be treating his Dallas fans to a series of Cakebread wine pairing dinners in July. These dinners will be a celebration of the summer’s harvest with each dish paired seamlessly with Cakebread’s highly praised wines. The dinners will take place on July 9th, July 21st and July 30th at Bijoux and will consist of four courses with five wines for $110 per person (menu enclosed). A representative from Cakebread Cellars will lead a presentation about the winery and the wines featured during the dinner. Gottlich also plans on hosting another Cakebread dinner in the fall after his return from the American Harvest Workshop to showcase highlights from his time spent at the vineyard. Details are to come.
ABOUT
Bijoux is one of only five Dallas restaurants with a five star rating and is located in the heart of prestigious Inwood Village in Dallas, TX.  Featuring a seasonal prix fixe menu that changes daily, the restaurant is open for dinner at 5:30 PM Monday through Saturday. Reservations can be made by calling 214.350.6100. To see the current menu please visit www.bijouxrestaurant.com.
Created in partnership with Scott & Gina Gottlich of acclaimed local favorite, Bijoux, The Second Floor at the Westin Galleria features a sophisticated, yet contemporary, cuisine and an intimate dining experience. The restaurant’s a la carte menu features a distinctive and creative spin on contemporary cuisine, with signature dishes such as short ribs and eggs and Kennebec potato gnocchi, as well as original cocktails and the largest Scotch collection in Dallas. For more information or to schedule a reservation, please visit www.thesecondfloorrestaurant.com or call 972-450-2978.
Cakebread Cellars in Napa Valley was founded over 30 years ago. Now under the direction of Dennis Cakebread and winemaker Julianne Laks, the winery crafts a complete range of award-winning estate blended and single-vineyard white and red wines. To learn more about the American Harvest Workshop and Cakebread Cellars, please visit www.cakebread.com/about/AHW/AHW_intro.cfm.

No words needed.

Jeffrey Yarbrough (Big Ink PR (Dallas) and national wine expert Joshua Wesson partied in Aspen last year.

Anybody headed to Colorado next weekend for the Aspen Food and Wine Classic ? Is so, make sure you hit Explore Booksellers where Dallas gal Monica Greene has just reopened her remolded restaurant, Escape. The menu is organic vegetarian.

Two Dishers “lucky enough to snag tickets” are driving from Denver (I-70 route) and ask for dining suggestions along the way. I say wait until you get to Basalt (Grana Bread Company). If you know of a hidden gem on or off the highway, leave it below.

If you make it to Aspen, you can get free Texas munchies and Texas wine on Friday afternoon (June 19 at 3:00 p.m.) at the annual Texas Outlaw Party at Kenichi. There you will find a huge contingent of Dallas and Texas attendees: Jeffrey and Tara Yarbrough,Mike Hoque (Dallas Fish Market), Tre Wilcox, Mike Karns (El Fenix), Kevin Williamson of Ranch 616 in Austin, Tom and Lisa Perini (Buffalo Gap), Bunny and Richard Becker (Becker Vineyards) . Who knows, maybe Mick Fleetwood will return this year. I’m sorry I won’t be there this year to produce the Second Annual Derriere of the Day Contest. Guess I’ll have to do it in Jacksonville tomorrow.

In other do-something-other-than-write news: The sun just came out for the first time today and I thought I’d share a picture of my second brood of baby Bluebirds. They were born yesterday. (Remember, procrastination is part of the creative process.)

* Lion Dance
* Cultural and Musical Entertainment Showcase
* Exhibitors
* Food Booths
* Public Services Booths
* Local, City and nationally elected officials
* Non-profit organizations
* Government agencies, City of Garland, Garland Police Department

Last year around 15,000 participated in the event that takes place from 10:00am to 5:00pm. More info here or call 214-244-9144.

17th Annual Blessing of the Vines & New Vintage Wine and Gallery Trail – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., beginning at Delaney Vineyards at 2000 Champagne Blvd.
An abundance of fun-filled activities will pack the entire weekend, including two entertaining Jazz Wine Trains, the ceremonial Blessing of the Vines and New Release Wines, the Lancaster Gallery Art Show, and the captivating wine trail, which incorporates an assortment of unique art galleries in Historic Downtown Grapevine and wine-related activities.

April 17 & 18
The one-of-a-kind wine tasting experience begins with the remarkable New Vintage Jazz Wine Train.  The popular Jazz Wine Train will run on two evenings – April 17 and 18 – onboard the Grapevine Vintage Railroad, located at Grapevine’s historic Cotton Belt Depot at 705 S. Main Street. The captivating excursion features several Grapevine wines, various delectable foods and live jazz entertainment in each passenger car.  The Jazz Wine Train departs both evenings at 6:40 p.m. and returns at 9:30 p.m.  Tickets are $55 per person (space limited, reservations required).

April 18
On Saturday, April 18, start the day at Delaney Vineyards as hundreds of wine enthusiasts gather to take part in the Blessing of the Vines and New Vintage Wines, a centuries-old European ceremony to ensure robust vines and savory grapes.  The ceremony begins with a colorful procession through the largest vineyard in North Texas, comprised of Grapevine dignitaries, the Knights of Columbus, Mariachis, and the general public. A complimentary wine tasting with live entertainment will follow.  The New Vintage Wine Trail begins at 11 a.m. and will run through 5 p.m., offering a memorable journey to experience first-hand the many unique winery tasting rooms of Grapevine. Passports, which include tastings at each winery, are $45 per person.
To purchase tickets or for information on New Vintage hotel packages, visit www.GrapevineTexasUSA.com.

Nearly 4,000 guests attended events at the Fifth Annual Savor Dallas March 6 and 7, with increases in guests at Friday night events in the Arts District and in Victory Park.
Savor Dallas’ preliminary estimates show that attendance at Friday night’s Arts District Wine Stroll and Victory Park Wine & Food Celebration exceeded 2008 attendance by 200 plus guests, with a total of 1,230 guests. Guest numbers for Saturday night’s International Grand Tasting are estimated to be slightly lower than 2008’s figures, with attendance at 2,150. The Reserve Tasting, featuring the year’s finest wines from top vintners, enjoyed an increase in attendance. Wine seminars enjoyed healthy attendance this year, with a new location at the Westin City Center. Total weekend attendance is estimated at around 4,000, nearly matching last year’s numbers.

Kenner gets behind the real story of how food gets to your table and it’s a story that corporate America doesn’t want you to know. The film has two showings at the AFI film festivalone,  on Monday, March 30 at 7:30 PM at the Magnolia Theatre and the second on Tuesday, March 31 at 10:00 PM at the Magnolia Theatre. The film’s director, Robert Kenner, will be in attendance. Want a quick bite? Check out the film’s trailer below.

(I’m tearing out my yard and planting a garden, Nikki where are you?)

Magnolia Pictures will release he documentary Food Inc. in June; the film is showing at the AFI film festival Monday, March 30 at 7:30 PM at the Magnolia Theatre and Tuesday, March 31 at 10:00 PM at the Magnolia Theatre.  The film’s director, Robert Kenner, will be in attendance and available for interviews March 30th and 31st.  Please let me know if you would like a DVD screener of the film and if you are interested in interviewing him while he is in Dallas.

Robert Kenner wants to show you where your food comes from. He takes an unsalted look at America’s industrial food system—dirty, crowded cattle lots, genetically modified veggies, fast food chains and processing plants. The result isn’t very appetizing.

Kenner probes the secrecy that shrouds the food conglomerates (none would comment for the film), the control they have over contracted farmers, the idyllic family farm images they propagate over the reality of gigantic processing plants, and the might of legal departments that strong arm anybody who gets in their way.

Using handheld cameras and imaginative graphics, Kinner shows us shocking examples of both animal and farm worker abuse. The images can be grotesque, but he hopes they’ll make you consider where your dinner came from.

Savor Dallas 2009:

This was the weekend we’ve all been waiting for.
Savor Dallas, our much-anticipated annual upscale food and wine extravaganza took place last weekend at venues across the city. The event, celebrating its fifth birthday this year, featured two days of gourmet goings-on, culminating in the International Grand Tasting Saturday night at the Plaza of the Americas and Westin City Center Hotel downtown. (Jump for full report and great photos.)

Founded in 2004 by Vicki Briley-White and radio personality Jim White, Savor Dallas gives food lovers a taste of the area’s top restaurants and fills their glasses with fine wines, while raising funds to help support a number of local causes. This year’s International Grand Tasting included “three stunning levels of great chefs, premium wines, top shelf cocktails and imported beers”, according to the Savor Dallas website. But words can hardly do it justice.

This was my first year to attend the Grand Tasting, and never one to start small, I dove right in to get a first-hand look at everything that goes into preparing for this event. My experience began bright and early Saturday morning as part of the volunteer set-up crew and continued on into an evening this wine girl won’t soon forget.

Part I: Behind the Scenes

9:45 a.m. – It’s first thing in the morning (for a Saturday, anyway) and the Plaza is just waking up. I arrive and meet up with the rest of the large team of volunteers to go over our assignments. With a call of “Let’s hit it!”, volunteer lead Michael Dickenson charges us to begin our day of set-up, wine distribution, decoration and organization.
10:06 a.m. – In the Plaza Ballroom, we work alongside Jim Davoli of Andrews Distributing. He’s setting up what will later become one of the most popular stops of the evening!

10:22 a.m. – My crew runs into founder Jim White in the elevator while transporting wine. He’s working hard in set-up mode himself.

12:46 p.m. – After a quick lunch break, I shift gears. The afternoon is spent helping organize items for the Silent Auction, benefitting the North Texas Food Bank.
3:00 p.m. – I head home to get ready for the evening – but it’s been quite a day already! Volunteer Coordinator Lesa Russo estimates that over the course of the weekend, 175 volunteers (including the trio above) will put in over 1,000 man hours to help make Savor Dallas happen.

Part II: International Grand Tasting
6:59 p.m. – Even as the clock strikes seven, the event is bustling. Early guests are criss-crossing walkways and piling onto escalators, tasting glasses and plates at the ready. Chefs in whites are preparing dozens of stations, and if you listen closely, you can hear the first of hundreds of corks popping. I’m more than a little excited – and hungry! I enter with my husband and we plot our route, beginning with a tour of the lower-level Tasting Lounge.
7:11 p.m. – We sample our first dish, a silken escolar from Dallas Fish Market. It pairs beautifully with our first wine, Kenwood Sauvignon Blanc.

7:15 p.m. – Chef Jason Weaver of the French Room presents Smoked Salmon and Crabmeat with Pineapple and Vanilla Soup. We sit down to savor the unexpected and perfectly balanced flavors of what proves to be our favorite dish of the evening.

7:28 p.m. – I snap a pic of Iron Chef Challenger and James Beard Award nominee David Bull of Bolla clowning for the camera with a member of his crew. Most of the chefs tonight seem to be having as much fun as the guests!

7:40 p.m. – More wine tasting. Over the course of the evening, we sample wines from Fetzer, Red Rock and Black Oak, among others. Red Rock Merlot stands out as a find.
7:50 p.m. – I meet a new friend while taking a break. Jodi Lawrence is attending her third Grand Tasting this year. “I always have fun here,” she explains, but observes that the event was a little easier to navigate when it was held at the Hilton Anatole in years past. While I mingle, my hubby samples pork belly from Chef Eric Brandt of the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek.

8:07 p.m. – Dallas favorite Dunia Borga of La Duni and Aló tempted guests with slices of her signature Cuatro Leches Cake.

8:23 p.m. – We head upstairs to the 3rd Floor, where a band plays opposite the Silent Auction tables and Ballroom. The crowd is beginning to hum!
8:25 p.m. – In the Plaza Ballroom, two smiling representatives of Tart Pastry Boutique & Studio offer sinful treats. They do not have to twist our arms.

8:35 p.m. – I sit down for a minute and attempt to make sense of my notes. (See 7:40 p.m.)
9:07 p.m. – We swing by the Ben E. Keith Beer Garden and sample (in rapid succession) Widmer Hefeweizen, Drop Top Amber Ale and Kona Brewing Co.’s Fire Rock Pale Ale. Whew!
9:21 p.m. – With less than an hour left to go, the event is still in full swing.

10:30 p.m. – Following a brief stop at the after party, a generous thank-you shindig for chefs and volunteers, we head home. I’m exhausted, but thrilled by the experiences I’ve had over the course of the day. Seeing what went into preparing for the International Grand Tasting left me with a unique appreciation of this event. I’ll definitely be back to Savor Dallas next year – and I may actually be hungry again by then!

Puddin’ s Picks:

(photos by: Lamar)

3) The French Room’s chef Jason Weaver with salmon, crab, and pineapple shooter.

2) Five-Sixty’s tuna with ancho in a toasted sesame and poppy seed cone
1) Tre Wilcox and his smoked pork belly.

SAVOR DALLAS HOSTS VIRTUAL FOOD AND WINE TASTING ON FACEBOOK

Jim White Joined on Conference Panel
by Star Chefs David Bull, Eric Brandt, Randy Morgan, Jason Weaver and Tre Wilcox

Friday, March 6
Arts District Wine Stroll 5-7 p.m.
Dallas Museum of Art in Seventeen Seventeen Restaurant
Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center
Nasher Sculpture Center

Victory Park Wine and Food Celebration 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.
AT&T Plaza
Featuring wine, spirits, food from Victory Park Restaurants, music, art and fun!

AFI DALLAS International Film Festival 9:30 – 11:30 p.m.
AT&T PLAZA (following the wine tasting)
High-def Blu-ray screening of Martin Scorsese’s “Shine A Light” starring the legendary Rolling Stones. On the giant Victory Park screens.

This is a FREE screening. If you just want to come down to Victory Park at 9:30 p.m. for a movie on Friday night please join us. Chairs will be available to rent, or bring a blanket. Concessions (water, wine and sandwiches) will be available for sale. Please no coolers or glass containers!

Saturday, March 7
Wine Tasting Seminars 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Westin City Center Dallas, Windows Ballroom
11 a.m.  Wine Panel of Winemakers and Experts
1:30 p.m. “90 point PLUS Wines of Great Value”
3 p.m.  “Leading the Future of Port: the New World of the Old World”

Reserve Tasting 5 – 6:30 p.m.
* Note new location: Windows at Westin City Center Dallas
Lone Star Award Presentations: Caroline Rose Hunt and Charles & Dee Wyly

International Grand Tasting 7 – 10 p.m.
Plaza of the Americas
Westin City Center Dallas
This year featuring a VVIP Lounge of ultra premium tastes
(with purchase of Premium Access Weekend Pass or Prestige Saturday Tasting Pass).
About Savor Dallas

Savor Dallas, the unique wine and food extravaganza, happens on Friday, March 6, 2009 and continues through Saturday, March 7, 2009. Savor Dallasis Dallas’ international experience of wine, food, spirits and the arts, with delicious events scheduled in several beautiful downtown Dallas locations. Savor Dallas 2008 was attended by more than 4,000 people from Dallas/Fort Worth, throughout Texas, and 14 other states across the country.

A unique weekend extravaganza, Savor Dallas provides entertainment and education on the latest in ultra-premium wine, cuisine and spirits – with the special opportunity to interact one-on-one with internationally acclaimed experts in exciting venues.

Savor Dallas also generously supports these charities: North Texas Food Bank, Greater Dallas Restaurant Association Culinary Scholarship Fund, and the Arts Magnet Building Campaign for Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.

Savor Dallas 2009 is presented by Fetzer Vineyards, and is sponsored by Market Street, 10 Cane Rum, Red Rock Winery, Bridlewood Estate Winery, Frei Brothers Reserve, Centennial Fine Wines and Spirits, Aruba Tourism, Absolut Vodka, Ben E. Keith Beverage Distributors, San Pellegrino, Acqua Panna, Community Coffee, American Airlines, American Airlines Center, Westin City Center Dallas (official host hotel), Nasher Sculpture Center, and Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau. DART is the official transportation provider of Savor Dallas.

Media sponsors of Savor Dallas 2009 include D Magazine, KRLD-1080, the CBS Radio Group Dallas, and Pegasus News.com.

The complete schedule and tickets are available at www.SavorDallas.com. For more information phone toll-free 866-277-7920.

UNIVISION 23, TELEFUTURA 49 AND UNIVISION RADIO PRESENT
“2ND ANNUAL TAMALE FESTIVAL”

$13,000 IN CASH AND PRIZES IN SEARCH OF THE BEST TAMALE

DALLAS, TX. OCTOBER 27, 2008 – Univision 23, TeleFutura 49 and Univision Radio’s five local stations in Dallas have partnered to present the “2nd Annual Tamale Festival” from 11:00 am – 6:00 pm on Sunday November 2nd at the Dallas Market Hall. Due to the overwhelming response from the community last year, this year’s festival will take place in the larger North Hall of Dallas Market Hall.

Univision’s audiences are quickly registering for a chance to win the top prize for the best tasting tamal in the metroplex. This year’s total purse of prizes comes to over $13,000. The first place winner will receive $2,500 cash plus a 42” digital TV and a dinette set; $1,500 cash will be awarded for second place plus a dinette set; the third place winner will receive $1,000 cash plus a dinette set. In addition $500 cash will be awarded for fourth and fifth places. The top five winners will receive trophies. Prizes are sponsored by Jefferson Dental Clinics and Ashley Furniture.

This one day event includes musical entertainment from Mariachi music to Jazz ensembles, folkloric dancers and cooking demonstrations. TeleFutura’s Marissa Del Portillo from “Escandalo TV” (ShowBiz TV), Cristina Pereyra from “Veredicto Final” (Final Verdict) and Maggie from “Que Sabor” (What Flavor…cooking show) will act as judges and will be signing autographs from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

Other activities include the People’s Choice Best Restaurant Tamale contest, Tamale wrapping contests, the All Smiles Dental Children’s Area, and interactive exhibits offering promotions and sampling, festive cuisine and great giveaways.

The “2nd Annual Tamale Festival” is from 11:00 am – 6:00 pm on November 2nd. Admission and parking is free. For complete event details visit www.univisiondallas.com

Hey, Dishers! Enjoying Texas Wine Month so far? I hope your corkscrews got a workout last week! [Ed: Y'all be nice to her.]

As mid-month approaches, let’s take our exploration of Texas wine to the next level. Time to hit the road! Maybe you tried some local wine in the comfort of your own home last week, and now you’re ready to get up close and personal. Or maybe you’ve heard about wonderful wineries in the area, but you’re a little fuzzy on the details. No worries – that’s my department. Today I’ll highlight a handful of wineries right here in our own back yard.

If you’re looking for vineyards that cover the land as far as the eye can see, you’ll have to drive to West Texas or down to the Hill Country (both excellent subjects for future posts). These local boutique wineries offer a more intimate experience, along with delicious, hand-crafted wines. A visit to any of these locations is a taste of the winery way of life that’s so close, you don’t have to file it under “special occasion”.

La Buena Vida Vineyards (Grapevine):

Owner Gina Puente-Brancato, a former president of the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association, has worked a little magic at La Buena Vida since purchasing its Grapevine location in 2006. Things may look different, but what hasn’t changed is La Buena Vida’s commitment to excellence, especially when it comes to wine – a tradition upheld since 1972 by founder, winemaker and Texas wine legend, Dr. Bobby Smith.

The winery features a lovely, well-appointed tasting room, but sparkling fountains in blue and white tile, baskets overflowing with flowers and towering shade trees make La Buena Vida’s patio the place to be. Arrange a visit at sunset, if you can swing it, and bring along that special someone. The fountains glow and lights in the trees overhead bring a “romantic getaway” feeling to any night of the week.

(PHOTO: La Buena Vida at twilight. Lara Bierner)

San Martiño Winery and Vineyards (Rockwall):

Emilio and Maria Ramos opened their Rockwall winery in 2004 and named it for the town of San Martiño in northwestern Spain. Emilio’s ancestors hail from the remote village, and it was there that the family tradition of winemaking was born. In just a few short years, the Ramoses have built a loyal following among their guests, as well as an extensive line-up of award-winning wines.

San Martiño’s tasting room features a fireplace and picture windows with a view of the small on-site vineyard and rolling hills in the distance. The winery’s new event center was designed with parties and wedding receptions in mind, and the outdoor pergola is an ideal setting for concerts. When you go, taste the Tempranillo, made from top-quality Newsom Vineyards grapes from the Texas High Plains – it’s seductive and Spanish and I’m pretty much obsessed.

Landon Winery (McKinney):

With its prime spot on the square in downtown McKinney, Landon Winery has an urban “wine bar” feel and upbeat staff that knows how to show their guests a good time. This shopping and entertainment area attracts visitors from all around with a combination of modern style and historic roots, and this popular winery fits right in.

Owner Bob Landon creates his wines with an eye on traditional technique, and he welcomes both novices and connoisseurs to the winery, aiming to make everyone feel right at home. Whether you stop in as part of a day of shopping on the square (this winery’s got a great gift shop), or make a special trip for a tasting, you’re sure to love Landon. Also of note is the winery’s brand-new sidewalk patio – perfect for people-watching.

(PHOTO: The tasting room at Landon Winery. Lara Bierner)

Lightcatcher Winery (Fort Worth):

This unique winery hosts a stylish soiree on the first and third Sundays of the month. Jazz Sundays, as they’re called, bring shiny, happy people to Lightcatcher’s patio to enjoy great music, delicious food, and of course, a bottle of owner Caris Turpen’s handcrafted wine.

On a recent visit, I perched at a table beneath a giant, red umbrella and watched as a crowd of well over 100 gathered to hear the awe-inspiring work of Rhett Butler and his band (he made a special stop at the winery on his way to Bass Hall the following week). While Mr. Butler charmed his audience, servers weaved around and through tables bearing trays of wine and delectable plates from the winery’s tempting Bistro Lightcatcher Menu.

It was a wonderful night – Lightcatcher Winery is the epitome of casual style. Head out for a Sunday show or any time at all for a taste of Caris’ distinctive creations. Hint: The Lightcatcher 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon is to die for.

Check each winery’s website for details on specific events, contact info and hours of operation.

As we have dutifully noted before, Allen is one happening town. Haven’t been yet? Then I would suggest you head to the Taste of Watters Creek. No, they won’t be ladling water from an actual creek, they’ll be pouring wines from “around the world.” There will be food–tons of it from the local restaurants such as P. F. Changs, Naan Korean Grill, Cheesecake Factory, MiCocina, Market Street, Grimaldi’s, Brio Tuscan Grill, and more. Plus live entertainment! Ya. Hoo. The soiree is October 23 from 6:30-9:00PM. Proceeds will benefit Collin Creek Meals on Wheels. Call 972-747-8000 for tickets and info. Report back.

The iPie combines a delicious fried apple pie rolled in cinnamon sugar on top of rich vanilla ice cream, accented with whipped cream and a brightly colored (and totally edible) sugar shape that is molded to look just like an iPod.  Add real working, souvenir “earbud” earphones and the Fried Apple iPie experience is complete.

Fittingly, you can find the fried pie at the Desperados booth which will be located on Nimitz Drive across from the Dog Show and Pig Races. Oh, that would be during the Texas State Fair (September 26-October 19).