What: KidLinks 10th Annual Symphony of Chefs
Where: Sixty Five Hundred
The 411: KidLinks went all out for its 10th anniversary. Nearly 300 people gathered at Sixty Five Hundred in Dallas on a Monday night to experience a night of culinary composition.
Featuring 29 of the city’s most talented culinary stars, Symphony of Chefs was the nonprofit’s largest fundraiser of the year.
This year’s event co-chairs were Amy Pratt, Tana P. Roberts, Tim Roberts, with founding event chairs Bonnie and Nathan Shea. Chef Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman of José served as the honorary chef chair alongside Salvatore Gisellu of Urban Family Restaurants as honorary chef chair emeritus.
When guests arrived, they mingled with specialty cocktails from Katy Trail Vodka along with spirits from Tequila Sheela, ROXOR Artisan Gin, The Macallan, beer from Peroni, and mixers courtesy of Q Mixers. Wines from HALL Wines and WALT wines sponsored by HALL Group and HALL Arts Hotel were served with Southern-style passed hors d’oeuvres prepared by Eric Dreyer, executive chef of Ellie’s Restaurant & Lounge at HALL Arts Hotel.
Emcee Scott Murray welcomed guests before introducing KidLinks CEO Diana Crawford. She addressed the crowd and showed her gratitude toward all who were involved in bringing the event to life. After presentations about KidLinks' impact on local children, auctioneer Morgan Hopson led a spirited paddle raise, which raised vital funds for the nonprofit's music therapy-focused programs.
Then doors opened for dinner. Guests were assigned to specific tables featuring specially created cuisine by assigned chefs. Each course was paired with a wine donated and presented by representatives of the vineyards.
Featured dinner chefs included: Sebastien Archambault, The Mansion Restaurant at Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek; Alex Astranti, Uchi and Uchibā; Justin Box, Lockwood Catering by Justin Box; Fitzgerald Dodd, Grits Southern Bistro; Diego Fernandez, The French Room; Gorji, Gorji Restaurant; James T. Grant, Foxyco; Nick Hurry, Paradiso; Juan “Pancho” Jasso, Nick & Sam’s Park Cities; John Kleifgen, Nick & Sam’s Steakhouse; Dan Landsberg, Dragonfly at Hotel ZaZa Dallas; TJ Lengnick, Dee Lincoln Prime; Giuliano Matarese, Mille Lire; José Meza, Jalisco Norte; Molly McCook, Ellerbe Fine Foods; Tracy Miller, LOCAL; Brandon Moore, Ocean Prime; Janice Provost, Parigi; Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman, José; Jeramie Robison, City Hall Bistro; Luke Rogers, SAVOR in Klyde Warren Park; Nico Sanchez, Tulum; Blaine Staniford, Grace and Little Red Wasp Restaurants; David Anthony Temple, Chef DAT LTD; Manny Vera, Truluck’s; and Nick Walker, Virgin Hotels Dallas.
Following dinner, desserts created by Diana Zamora of Lockwood Distilling Co. and Cesar Barachina of The Star: Dallas Cowboys Headquarters were served.
A rousing live auction of chef experiences and celebratory toast finished the evening.
Over the past decade, Symphony of Chefs has raised about $1.9 million in support of the KidLinks mission to provide healing experiences for the special needs of children through performing arts and media. It has funded therapeutic music initiatives and free/low cost, professional music therapy treatment programs for children in need.
Who: Muffin Lemak, Julie Hawes, Jeanie Conly, Bert Conly, Jessica Stoots, Chris Zazo, Scot Smith, Suzanne Smith, Karen Dollar, Mike Dollar, David Skidmore, and Karen Skidmore.
Karen Dollar, Mike Dollar
Blood Cancer United executive director Leah Swanson, Spirit of Tom Landry Award recipient Vivian Haddad, Lara Haddad and emcee Clarice Tinsley.Photo by Tamytha Cameron and Celeste Cass
