Soup's On

Soup and art feed charitable Dallas souls at 2019 Stewpot luncheon

What: Stewpot Alliance Soup's On Luncheon and Art Sale

Where: The Hilton Anatole Hotel Chantilly Ballroom

The 411: The 11th annual Stewpot Alliance Soup’s On! Luncheon and Art Sale took place January 17, with proceeds benefiting The Stewpot. For more than four decades, The Stewpot has provided meals, medical and dental services; counseling and case management; youth and family stabilization programs; and therapeutic and vocational activities to Dallas community members experiencing extreme poverty and homelessness.

A $50,000 grant was provided by Highland Foundation and Commerce Street Capital at the luncheon. Co-chairs Lindsay Billingsley and Jill Tiernan encouraged guests to text additional monies to be matched by the generous grant. Linda Owen Barnes and Lucy Billingsley served as this year's honorary chairs.

The luncheon, emceed by Matrice Ellis Kirk, welcomed about 800 patrons eager to hear from keynote speaker Regina Calcaterra. Author of the bestseller Etched in Sand, Calcaterra shared her story of overcoming a childhood characterized by poverty, abuse, and homelessness.

The other stars of the day were the chefs who provided the delectable bites, slips, and slurps of savory soups. Under the direction of Chef Brian C. Luscher, owner of The Grape, top toques included Jeff Bekavac, Cane Rosso; Omar Flores, WhistleBritches; Danyele McPherson, 8020 Hospitality; Suki Otsuki, Mudhen Meat and Greens; Caroline Perini, Easy Slider; Janice Provost, Parigi; Anastasia Quiñones, José; Jeramie Robison, City Hall Bistro; Abraham Salum, Salum; Nick Walker, CBD Provisions; and Michael Youssef, The Hilton Anatole Hotel.

Who: Brenda Ewing Snitzer, Olivia Cole, Kameron Westcott, Brittany Stephens, Stacy Caplan, Jared Caplan, Lacy Redmond, Jenny Thomas, Mishael Riaz, Lacy Schuiteman, McKenzie Garber, Amy Desler, Pennie Marshall, Ellis Thomas, Jennifer Walters, Elise Riter, Katie Kelton, Will Hendrickson, Frances Hendrickson, Ray Francis, Margie Francis, Angela Hunt, Monica Hartman, Cara Mendesohn, and Gloria Sandoval.

Olivia Cole, Kameron Westcott, Brittany Stephens

Olivia Cole, Kameron Westcott and Brittany Stephens

Photo by Rob Wythe

Olivia Cole, Kameron Westcott, Brittany Stephens

fundraisers luncheons charity

Matcha News

Dallas TikTok star Keith Lee crafts matcha drink for flood relief

Instagram

Keith Lee hoists his special matcha drink.

The devastating floods that swept across Central Texas on July 4 are bringing out all kinds of charitable endeavors — and that includes a limited-edition beverage from Dallas' favorite TikTok food influencer Keith Lee.

Lee, a social media sensation whose online food reviews have benefited hundreds of small restaurants, is partnering with Dallas-based La La Land Cafe on a special drink: Called the La La Land X Keith Lee Latte, it's a matcha drink in which 100 percent of the proceeds will go towards Kerr County flood relief.

La La Land is the coffee chain founded in Dallas in 2019 with a mission to provide opportunities for fostering youth and individuals in need. It now has 10 locations across Dallas-Fort Worth, plus three in Houston and six in Southern California.

The new Keith Lee Latte will consist of double ceremonial matcha, with secret syrup, matcha cloud, a whole fresh strawberry, flaky salt, and matcha powder. (Lee can be seen enjoying the beverage in this video.)

Matcha is the Japanese green tea powder that has experienced a surge in popularity, appearing in everything from drinks like the matcha latte to desserts like matcha mousse.

Keith Lee Latte is a matcha drink.Instagram

Lee, who relocated to Dallas in 2024, has been on a matcha kick ever since he tried it in Chicago, which he says "led me down a rabbit hole," and it has become his trademark drink. In May, he visited seven cafes across DFW in search of the perfect matcha in town, and that included La La Land, where he ordered a matcha with almond milk.

He also has a charitable history, including a special visit he made to Taste Project in Fort Worth to donate $4,000 to support the nonprofit's mission to fight food insecurity.

The Keith Lee Latte will be available at all La La Land cafes beginning Friday July 11, for a limited time only. From July 11-27, 100 percent of all proceeds will support flood relief efforts in Kerr County - "a community in our home state that’s hurting," La La Land Cafe says.

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