Articles about fundraiser

For Boston, Le Cordon Bleu Students are Making “Soup in Support”

posted by Carol Shih | April 25th, 2013 9:31am | filed under fundraiser, Things To Do | 5 Comments »

If you’re still looking for ways to help the Boston Marathon, this is one way to show your support: by participating in Le Cordon Bleu’s “Soup in Support” fundraiser tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Here’s part of the press release:

The recent bombing at the Boston Marathon has left the country reeling and looking for ways to support the people of Boston. One local school, Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts (LCB) in Dallas is doing what they do best to give back to the victims and show support for their Boston campus – cooking.

As part of a nationwide LCB initiative called “Soup for Support”, students and staff will be selling homemade bowls of clam chowder, with a local touch. LCB Dallas will prepare chowder with a Tex-Mex twist that features Mexican chorizo, Andouille sausage and Poblano peppers. The soup will be available on Friday, April 26 from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at LCB Dallas’ Technique restaurant (11830 Webb Chapel Road, Suite 1200). Proceeds will benefit One Fund Boston, which provides financial support for victims.

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Dallas Dames Host Fundraiser for Area Women Seeking Careers in Culinary Arts

posted by Carol Shih | February 13th, 2013 12:40pm | filed under Food, Foodie People, fundraiser |

DamesGoLocal_postcard_FN1Mark your calendars, everyone. March 3 is when Les Dames d’Escoffier International’s Dallas chapter is hosting its annual Raiser Grazer from 5 to 8 p.m. at Union Station. Once upon a time, in 2010, Nancy attended this event and  ”won” four nights in a Jamaican hotel for $250. She said it was a great travel bargain. Sounds like a win-win to me. Hit it, ladies:

The event, themed Dames Go Local, raises money for educational scholarships for area women seeking careers in the culinary arts.  The event is open to the public and tickets are available for $65 per person. This year’s event will showcase the many local purveyors of fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese and other artisanal dairy products. The silent auction is now live at biddingforgood.com. Browse Auctions, Texas and find Les Dames d’Escoffier.

Raiser Grazer brings together talented chefs, suppliers, pastry artists and business women for an evening of exceptional food and beverages, outstanding auction items and a lively, family-friendly environment.  The event will feature more than 30 chef-hosted kiosks serving everything from local beef to desserts made with local dairy products; local and international wines, and an outdoor beer garden featuring only local brews. There will also be more than 100 items and experiences up for grabs in the silent auction.

Participating chefs include:
Dame Liz Baron, chef/owner, Mesa Grill – Salad of Tassione Farms Greens, Mozzarella Company cheese and olive oil, pecans and grapefruit from Texas.

Dame Dunia Borga, chef/owner – La Duni – Arequipe (aka Dulce de leche) with Three Cows Dairy Cream and Texas Pecans

Dame Tiffany Derry – chef – Pan Seared Scallops with Texas Ruby Red Grapefruit Beurre Blanc

Dames Sharon Hage and Wendy Taggart – Chef and Owner of Burgundy Pasture Beef – Burgundy Pastures Beef Keftah with Three Happy Cows Tzaziki Sauce

Dame Lisa Perini – Owner, Perini Ranch Steakhouse – Mesquite Smoked Peppered Tenderloin

Continue reading "Dallas Dames Host Fundraiser for Area Women Seeking Careers in Culinary Arts"

Buy Lunch at Stephan Pyles Next Week, Support Childhood Nutrition

posted by Tiffany Thomas | October 12th, 2012 11:01am | filed under Foodie People, fundraiser, It's just lunch |

Stephan Pyles (photo by Kevin Hunter Marple)

With a third of America’s children overweight and one in four going hungry, Chef Stephan Pyles of Samar and  Stephan Pyles has decided to stand in the gap.  From Monday, Oct. 15 through Friday, Oct. 19, Pyles will host a Lunch Break for Kids fundraiser at his restaurant, Stephan Pyles, during lunchtime hours. Organized by the makers of Hidden Valley Salad Dressings and the American Culinary Federation to support the Chef and Child Foundation, the event will benefit nutrition education programs that equip families with the knowledge to make healthier food choices. All guests have to do is purchase any lunch item to help support the fundraiser.

“Awareness is what we’re creating,” Pyles said. “It is the most important thing because many people just don’t know what to feed their families.”

In its second year, the fundraiser has worked with many chefs across the nation to create awareness.

Continue reading "Buy Lunch at Stephan Pyles Next Week, Support Childhood Nutrition"

Bolsa Mercado Hosts Guest Chefs to Benefit Café Momentum

posted by Carol Shih | July 19th, 2012 2:19pm | filed under fundraiser, Gardening, Good Deeds, Good Service, Groceries, Health Food |

Charles Plummer (left); tomatoes (right) photos by Desiree Espada

Today marks the start of Bolsa Mercado‘s new program to host weekly guest chefs who’ll be cooking three-course to-go dinners (as part of the “Dinner for Two” program) in Bolsa Mercado’s kitchen. These guest chefs will be incorporating vegetables from the Dallas Youth Village‘s garden in their menus, and a portion of the dinner sales will go towards Café Momentum, a nonprofit restaurant concept started by Chad Houser and Janice Provost of Parigi that teaches the boys of the Youth Village everything about the restaurant business from washing dishes to waiting tables.

On Monday, Desiree and I took a tour of the Dallas Youth Village’s garden, which is headed by the affable Charles Plummer. For the past year and a half, the former chef now directs the organic gardening and  heads the culinary program at the center where teenage boys who’ve committed nonviolent offenses work with Plummer to tend the crops on the one-acre plot of land.

Jump for photos of the garden.

Continue reading "Bolsa Mercado Hosts Guest Chefs to Benefit Café Momentum"

Restaurant News: Bits and Bites

posted by Nancy Nichols | June 26th, 2012 10:15am | filed under Charity events, cocktails, Deals, fundraiser, Restaurant News, seafood | 2 Comments »

Pearl Cup Coffee will open a new location in Richardson in late August or early September. The shop will be in the II Creeks shopping center at 2701 Custer Pkwy near the Richardson Community Theater. Besides coffee creations, they will sell beer and wine.

The North Texas Food Bank has formed The Round Table, a group of philanthropic young professionals looking to fight hunger in North Texas. And what better way to raise money than to host a regular happy hour. Tonight, The Round Table will meet from from 5:30-7:30 at The Owner’s Box in the Omni Dallas. Orange is the color of hunger and The Owner’s box will donate $1 to NTFB for every Mandarin Orange Martini sold from June 26 through July 26 to NTFB.

Deep Ellum Brewing Company has invited musical guest Boys Named Sue to play in their beer garden on Thursday night June 28 from 6PM – 10PM. For $10 you’ll get a tour of the brewery, hot dogs from Rudolph’s Meat Market, DEBC pint glass to keep, beer samples, and live music.

The Cultured Cup is hosting an iced tea contest and tasting on Saturday, July 28. James Tidwell, Sharon Hage, and the employees of The Cultured Cup will each submit their own iced tea blend, and it will be up to our customers to vote for the winner. It all happens from 11AM to 4PM at 13714 Gamma Rd., Ste. 104. All tea will be 15% off (even online and phone orders) and you’ll receive a free ounce of tea. Admission is $5. RSVP here.

TJs Seafood Market is having a lobster sale. The price, usually $17.99lb will drop to $14.99 from today until July 4.

Eden Restaurant is offering a special Cajun Night menu in addition to their regular items on Saturday, June 30 and Sunday, July 1. The $60, seven-course menu is posted below. It’s BYOB. Owner/chef Karen Kahn suggests a Beaujolais. 972-267-3336.

Continue reading "Restaurant News: Bits and Bites"

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Soups for a Cause: the 13th Annual Empty Bowls at the Meyerson

posted by Carol Shih | March 12th, 2012 9:47am | filed under fundraiser, It's just lunch |

Handmade bowls (photos by Michelle Saunders

Editorial intern Michelle Saunders popped into the North Texas Food Bank’s yearly fundraiser last Friday. She files this report:

When I headed over to the Meyerson Symphony Center Friday morning for the annual Empty Bowls fundraiser, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Since it was held on DSO’s turf, I assumed that it would be fairly formal. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that sweatpants, sneakers, and spandex would be allowed in the Meyerson (I cringe a bit just writing them in the same sentence!).  No one seemed to mind, however. Everyone was too focused on the steaming soups to be sampled and the beautiful handmade bowls to be purchased to worry about appearances.

What began as a small high school project in Michigan in 1990 has grown into a worldwide fundraising initiative against hunger. Guests purchase a ticket which provides them with a modest meal of soup and bread and a handcrafted empty bowl to take home as a reminder of the epidemic of hunger.

Continue reading "Soups for a Cause: the 13th Annual Empty Bowls at the Meyerson"

The Dames of Les Dames d’Escoffier Did Dallas Proud Last Night

posted by Hayley Hamilton | March 5th, 2012 1:43pm | filed under Chefs, fundraiser, Wine & Spirits | 3 Comments »

Goat Cheese Tarts from Dame Jill Bates

There is a reason that the international organization Les Dames d’Escoffier is one of the most prestigious organizations for women in the food, fine beverage, and hospitality industries to be a part of: the women included are some of the very best in their field.  With a mission of education, advocacy and philanthropy, the invitational organization includes members such as Lidia Bastianich, Alexandra Guarnaschelli, Mary Sue Milliken, Kathryn Hall, Carolyn Wente and hundreds of other influential women who have taken food, wine and hospitality to a new level of inspired creativity and artistic influence. Continue reading "The Dames of Les Dames d’Escoffier Did Dallas Proud Last Night"

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Marquee Grill Execuchef Tre Wilcox is Auctioning Himself Off

posted by Carol Shih | February 27th, 2012 8:37am | filed under Celebrity Chefs, celebrity sightings, Charity events, fundraiser |

This could be all yours for one weekend.

Eater Dallas and Park Cities People may have talked about this already, but in case you’ve been hiding in a cave: Marquee Grill Execuchef and “Top Chef Allstar” Tre Wilcox is auctioning himself off for charity. You heard that right, ladies. It’s time to start bidding on Charitybuzz. Winner gets to spend two days in the kitchen (a weekend of their choice) with the hunky chef and enjoy a Chef’s Tasting on Saturday night. All the proceeds go to the Bridge Breast Network, and the bidding ends on February 29 at 1:22 PM CST.

Whoever wins the auction has my permission to post a minute-by-minute, play-by-play blog of the entire experience on Sidedish… maybe.

Abraham Salum Popped Up at Cafe Momentum Last Night

posted by Nancy Nichols | October 3rd, 2011 9:23am | filed under Celebrity Chefs, Celebrity Diners, Charity events, fundraiser, Politics of Food, Restaurant News | 2 Comments »

I deputized Disher Melisa Ambers to cover last night’s sold-out Café Momentum dinner at the the Communities Foundation of Texas on Caruth-Haven. The concept behind the dinner series, developed by Chad Houser and Janice Provost of Parigi, is dedicated to teaching young, at-risk youth with life skills. Café Momentum works closely with the programs of the Youth Village Resources of Dallas. Local chefs and volunteers donate time and product and the kids work alongside the pros. Their common goal is to open a permanent restaurant for the program.

Last night was the largest and most formal Café Momentum dinner to date. The young men, under the direction of Phil Willis,  delivered flawless fine dining service. They passes appetizers in the foyer as the 100 guests arrived. Most of the young men were veterans; only one had never been a part of Cafe Momentum before. One of them, in fact, has already graduated from the culinary program at the Youth Village and has finished his time at the detention facility. He’s back in school but wanted to volunteer.

Jump for photos and the full report.

Spinach and Jicama Salad with Hibiscus Vinaigrette and Grilled Homemade Queso Fresco.(photo by Melisa Ambers)

Continue reading "Abraham Salum Popped Up at Cafe Momentum Last Night"

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The Mercury, Execu-Chef Chris Ward, and GALT Host The Dog Days of Summer

posted by Sarah Reiss | September 8th, 2011 9:00am | filed under Chef's tasting, Cooking, Cooking Classes, Events, fundraiser |

This Saturday, The Mercury’s executive chef Chris Ward will fundraise for our furry friends with a Dog Days of Summer event. From 2 to 5 pm, The Mercury will transform into a venue for cooking demos, tastings, and a silent auction at benefiting The Greyhound Adoption League of Texas (GALT). The ticket price of $65 includes one drink ticket, a cooking demonstration, tastings, a souvenir recipe book of demonstrated recipes, and a doggy bag of special canine treats. VIPs (only seven slots available) get a front row seat at Chef Ward’s cooking bar are available for $125.

“We are so excited to have Chef Ward with us again this year,” say John and Susie McQuade, GALT co-founders. “The proceeds from the cooking demonstration will help provide for the growing needs of GALT and the growing number of greyhounds we currently have in foster care.”

Cool Off With Adult Popsicles

posted by Krista Nightengale | August 30th, 2011 1:23pm | filed under cocktails, Drinking, Events, fundraiser, Recipes | 1 Comment »

Can't imagine how hot it was for the models to walk around in fur-lined hoods in the 100-degree temps. Hope they were given some popsicles.

Last Thursday, The Park and Stanley Korshak held a fashion show in Korshak’s courtyard. Within seconds of getting out of my car, I was a sweaty mess. Yet, none of the beautiful people around me seemed to be having issues with the heat. Why is this? I wondered. Then a server walked by with a tray full of adult popsicles. Being a teetotalling Type 1 diabetic, I could not partake. But my friends who did said they were delicious. I asked the wonderful folks at Stanley Korshak to share their recipe. They were happy to oblige. Follow the jump so you can make your own popsicles for your next party.

(Oh, and in case you’re wondering about the progress of The Park, here you go: The Park’s crossbeams are approximately 85 percent complete. The  final set of box beams will be finished late October. Waterproofing is 60 percent complete. The Jet fan installation is happening now. And trees will be installed this fall.)

Now, jump.

Continue reading "Cool Off With Adult Popsicles"

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Stuff the Catering Van and Get a Free Appetizer at Desperados’ “Say Adios to Hunger” Food Drive

posted by Sarah Reiss | August 25th, 2011 11:31am | filed under fundraiser, History of Dallas Food, lunch | 1 Comment »

Wondering what’s going on with the Desperados’ Greenville Avenue renovation? Looks like we’ll see some action there in the coming week.  In the meantime, let’s talk about the fact that September 1 marks Desperados’ 35th anniversary. In honor of the date, Desperados will launch their  Say Adios To Hunger campaign with the North Texas Food Bank.  Desperados is committed to providing the cash equivalent of 35,000 meals to the NTFB and is offering a free appetizer at both locations to customers who bring in non-perishable food items to help stuff the catering van.
jump for some feel-good quotes… Continue reading "Stuff the Catering Van and Get a Free Appetizer at Desperados’ “Say Adios to Hunger” Food Drive"

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Success Story: Shannon Stone Fundraiser at Pecan Lodge Catering in Dallas Farmers Market

posted by Nancy Nichols | August 15th, 2011 9:43am | filed under Celebrity Chefs, Celebrity Diners, Cult Cuisine, Events, Farmers Markets, fundraiser, Local/Slow Food, pizza, Restaurant News, youthful spontaneous restaurants | 6 Comments »

Burnt ends, caramelized onions, and Hatch chile pizza by Jay Jerrier of Cane Rosso.

I received several texts and tweets from peeps who attended last nights barbecue bonanza fundraiser at Pecan Lodge Catering at the Dallas Farmers Market. According to one of the organizers, the event raised close to $10,000 for the family of Lt. Shannon Stone, the fireman who died in July after falling head first from the stands at the Ballpark in Arlington.

The twEAT of the night came from the Pope of Pizza, Jay Jerrier who apparently made a pie covered with burnt ends, caramelized onions, and roasted hatch green chiles. Holy crow I could eat that right now.Jerrier says he made at least 50 pies and he plans to make them at his restaurant until the chiles run out.

How lovely to see Pecan Lodge Catering, Lockhart Smokehouse, and Cane Rosso work together to create such a spirited evening. If last night revealed the character of our next generation of restaurateurs, then we have a bright future.

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Chef Chris Ward Supports Greyhounds With Afternoon of Foodie Fun At The Mercury

posted by Sarah Reiss | August 9th, 2011 12:49pm | filed under fundraiser, Uncategorized |

Mercury chef Chris Ward loves the greyhounds.

Dog days of summer got you down? Prepare to perk up on from 2 to 5 pm on Saturday, September 10 when Mercury chef Chris Ward will host an afternoon of food & fun and a silent auction at The Mercury benefiting The Greyhound Adoption League of Texas (GALT).

Tickets run $65 and include one drink ticket (additional beverages at cash bar), cooking demonstration and tastings with Chris Ward, souvenir recipe book of demonstrated recipes, and a doggy bag of special canine treats for your pampered pooch. VIP seats (only 7 available) go for $125 and get you a front row seat at Chef Ward’s cooking bar.

“We are so excited to have Chef Ward with us again this year,” say John and Susie McQuade, GALT co-founders. “The proceeds from the cooking demonstration will help provide for the growing needs of GALT and the growing number of greyhounds we currently have in foster care.”

Seating is limited. To purchase tickets online www.galtx.org or 972-503-GALT.

Café Momentum Version 3: Sharon Hage at Garden Cafe

posted by Sarah Reiss | August 9th, 2011 8:45am | filed under Chef's tasting, fundraiser | 4 Comments »

First course: Chilled pecos melon soup with serrano chile and marigold mint. (Photos by Julissa Treviño)

On Sunday night, ace contributor Julissa Treviño attended the third Café Momentum dinner and sends this report…

On Sunday night, Chad Houser and Janice Provost held their third pop-up dinner under the Café Momentum umbrella at Garden Café in Dallas. If any restaurant has been getting hype in the city, it’s this duo’s project. Café Momentum is a non-profit restaurant serving exquisite, monthly pop-up dinners. Each dinner is steered by a guest chef and functions as a way to help at-risk youth from Dallas County Youth Village learn basic culinary skills which could ultimately lead to a paid position in a kitchen.

Funds raised from Sunday’s sold out dinner last night with Guest Chef Sharon Hage (of the now-shuttered award-winning York Street) bring Houser and Provost one step closer to being able to open up a permanent Café Momentum location. “Café Momentum will be fully operational, ultimately, when we have all of our financing,” said Houser, who works at Parigi with Provost. “We are hoping to achieve this goal by Spring 2012.”

jump for the rest… Continue reading "Café Momentum Version 3: Sharon Hage at Garden Cafe"

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Book Now For Parkinsons Benefit Dinner Next Monday at Alma

posted by Sarah Reiss | August 2nd, 2011 11:01am | filed under Chefs, fundraiser |

Anastacia "AQ" Quinones, the newest executive chef on henderson Ave. (photo by Sarah Reiss)

We knew Alma’s new executive chef, Anastacia Quiñones (also known as AQ), was a great addition to the Dallas execu-chef community from the minute we met her. But the following really seals the deal:

In 2001, my mother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Today, my mother is in good condition due to the outstanding care from her doctors and medication.

Although medicine has advanced in the past ten years, there is still very little known about this degenerative disease.

Please come help me celebrate my birthday on Monday August 8 and give to a great cause.
Proceeds benefit the APDA.

Alma will be offering a 4-course meal for $60 or for $75 with wine pairings. The menu will draw inspiration from my favorite childhood meals with my family (details to follow).

Guests will also enjoy additional surprises throughout the evening.

Seating will be limited and by reservation only. Please call Alma at 214.827.2820 to make reservations (specify AQ’s benefit dinner).

GO TEXAN Restaurant Roundup Week Starts July 25

posted by Nancy Nichols | July 14th, 2011 10:58am | filed under AgriBusiness, Events, fundraiser, GO TEXAN, Local/Slow Food | 5 Comments »

The groovy folks at the Texas Agriculture Department really know how to throw a party. They also do a great job of promoting Texas food through their GO TEXAN program http://www.gotexan.org/. Each year they present a week-long celebration of Texas products by asking restaurants all over the state to create special fixed-price menus which consist of Texas products. The series of events, which runs from July 25-31, benefits local food banks.

Todd Staples, a man with a perfect last name for his job as Agriculture Commissioner, has this to say: “More chefs are working directly with farmers and ranchers to bring you fresh Texas food. The GO TEXAN Restaurant Round-Up is Texas’ only statewide dine-out week and is a great time to savor the best meats, vegetables, fruits and wines, while helping hungry Texans.”

The details are below. Continue reading "GO TEXAN Restaurant Roundup Week Starts July 25"

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The Grape Celebrates The Feast of Saint Martha for The Stewpot

posted by Hayley Hamilton | July 13th, 2011 3:43pm | filed under Chefs, Events, fundraiser, Wine & Spirits | 1 Comment »

I don’t know where Chef/Owner Brian Luscher and his lovely wife, GM/Sommelier Courtney Luscher of  The Grape  get all their time, but I applaud their generous spirit.  They are two of the most involved people in the Dallas charity scene we have, and their next event just hit my inbox. 

July 28-30 they will hold the 2nd Annual Feast of St. Martha benefiting one of the most important charities in the city, The Stewpot.  Every day, 365 days a year, hundreds of homeless in Dallas are fed, sheltered and helped through The Stewpot at the Second Chance Cafe inside The Bridge on the edge of downtown.  Over 1300 volunteers contribute their time and energy to The Stewpot each month, improving the lives of the homeless in Dallas. 

For three days Chef Brian will serve a special $38 three course meal($55 with wine) created to honor Saint Martha, the patron saint of kitchen workers and servers, with $5 of each meal going to The Stewpot Alliance, created to support The Stewpot.  Reservations are recommended.  214-828-1981

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Rock N Taco on McKinney is Closing/Closed/Remoldeling

posted by Nancy Nichols | July 11th, 2011 3:44pm | filed under Closings, fundraiser, hold on to your effin hat, Restaurant News | 17 Comments »

A loyal Disher was scheduled to host a fundraiser at Rock N Taco this Wednesday and they had to cancel. She received this note:

Unfortunately, we just found out that Rock ‘n’ Taco is closing it’s doors and will not be able to host our event. We apologize for the inconvenience, and thank you so much for your support.

UPITTY DATE: They are remodeling.

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