There's a wide array of food and drink events going on this week, from a celebrity chef showdown at the Westin Galleria to a kosher chili cook-off that makes the most of an early March Sunday. Let’s jump in.
Tuesday, March 5
Dallas Architecture Forum presents Setting the Table: Designing the Ultimate Dining Experience
Dallas Architecture Forum presents a panel discussion on Dallas' ever-changing restaurant scene. The panel looks at how best to blend architectural design with stimulating features that get people coming back, as well as how to create an atmosphere that complements the food.
Panelists include Kelly Mitchell of Mitchell Garman; William Baker of Jones Baker; Teresa Gubbins, senior editor at CultureMap Dallas; and Tristan Simon, CEO of Consilient Restaurants. The event begins at 6:30 pm, and admission is free.
Thursday, March 7
Mexican Home Cooking Demonstration with Pati Jinich
Chef Pati Jinich of the Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington, D.C. leads a demonstration at Central Market Lovers to share traditional Mexican home cooking with recipes like minguichi, a tomato-zuchini soup made with Mexican chicken broth, and chilorio, a dish with shredded pork in ancho-orange sauce.
Tickets are $80 and include a copy of Pati’s Mexican Table. The class runs from 6:30 to 9 pm.
Bonne Santé
Hosted by chefs Scott Gottlich (of Bijoux and Second Floor Bistro) and William Koval (Lakewood Country Club), Bonne Santé is a mix-and-mingle affair benefiting the National Kidney Foundation. The Westin Galleria hosts top chefs from Dallas, including Abraham Salum from Komali, Tim Byres from Smoke, Samir Dhurandhar from Nick and Sam’s Steakhouse, Matt McCallister from FT33, Dean Fearing from Fearing’s Restaurant, Shuji Sugawara from Shinsei, Jason Weaver from the Omni Hotel Dallas, and David Smith from Westin Galleria Dallas, plus more great chefs from across the country.
Each interactive chef station features custom wine pairings by Gina Gottlich, sommelier of Second Floor Bistro and Bijoux. The evening also includes musical and live entertainment, as well as silent and live auctions with a variety of luxurious prizes. Tickets are $200, and the event runs from 6 to 9 pm.
Friday, March 8
Late Night at Scardello
Enjoy a casual evening with live jazz and plenty of cheese. This free event includes $6 glasses of wine, because anywhere that has jazz and cheese is legally required to offer wine as well. Best of all, Scardello isn’t asking for a cover charge or even a reservation. You can just show up from 6 to 10:30 pm.
Garden Cafe Poetry Night
Garden Cafe brings back its poetry dinners with a five-course meal featuring cranberry chipotle-glazed salmon on roasted butternut squash and slow-braised beef cheeks with sautéed bitter greens and gala apple risotto. Bring your favorite poem to read in front of everyone — or not, if that idea scares you. Fortunately, the $65 dinner is BYOB, so maybe you’ll find courage by the end of the night. Doors open at 7 pm.
Pinot Family of Wines Tasting at Pappas Bros.
Pappas Bros. just made Teresa’s best restaurants in DFW list, largely on their extensive wine collection and Master Sommelier Barbara Werley. Luckily, they’re hosting a wine tasting of the pinots in one of their private wine tasting rooms with selections of pinot blanc, pinot gris and pinot noir varietals selected by Pappas' excellent sommeliers. Enjoy wines from all over the world, from Oregon to New Zealand while tasting seasonal hors d'oeuvres prepared by executive chef James Johnson. Tickets are $55 sans gratuity and reservations are required at 214-366-2000.
Sunday, March 10
Dallas Kosher Chili Cook-Off
This cook-off celebrates 20 years this weekend, with more than 50 teams creating concoctions of the beef, turkey and vegetarian-style grub. The event, at Tiferet Israel, also includes live music, rides and games for kids, and a silent auction. The event runs from 10:30 am to 4 pm and is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Kids under 3 are free.
Fifth Annual Bits & Bites
El Centro’s Food and Hospitality Services Institute honors alumnae Shari Carlson of Dessert Dreams and Dunia Borga of La Duni for their contribution to the Dallas restaurant industry. Guests enjoy food prepared by El Centro’s students from 4 to 7 pm. Tickets are $45 in advance or $50 at the door, and proceeds benefit the institute.
Dunia Borga's phenomenal hot chocolate at La Duni is just one of the reasons that El Centro College will honor her at Bits & Bites as an alum who has contributed to the food and hospitality industries in Dallas.
