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    Young, Wild + Charitable

    Dallas' favorite fall party packs in pretty young professionals with charitable prowess

    Katrina Autem
    Nov 18, 2019 | 10:35 am

    If you're a young professional in Dallas and had to choose only one party to attend this year — this would be it. Dallas Autumn Ball is known for its lively crowd, packed dance floor, and for being a crazy good time.

    Party-goers, to the tune of 700, escaped the cold on November 8 and packed into Hotel ZaZa's ballroom at 9 pm for the sold-out event. Dressed to impress, the ladies and gentlemen donned sleek gowns and black-tie attire for what is undoubtedly their favorite party of the season.

    Founded by Adam Kraus and chaired by Madison McKay, Taylor Markey, Mikey Bryant, Weldon Boley, and Taylor Deves, Dallas Autumn Ball is now in its seventh year.

    Guests were greeted with savory hors d'oeuvres — Korean barbecue-glazed New York steak strips and crispy artichoke croquettes — full champagne flutes, and a quick stop on the red carpet at the photographer's backdrop, just before stepping into the ballroom. The festive welcome included gold, white, and silver bubble-esque balloons from Lushra, adorning the windows and walls.

    With the sounds of DJ Souljah and Emerald City Band filling the venue, attendees wasted no time hitting the dance floor — stilettos be damned. Tunes ranged from '90s hip-hop to remixed Latin pop and the crowd couldn't get enough.

    Thanks to ZaZa Executive Chef Dan Landsberg, the party people got a chance to refuel, grazing on an array of sliders and some killer macaroni and cheese. And chicken-and-waffle sticks were on hand later in the evening for a late-night nosh.

    Busy bartenders manned their top-shelf bars, serving up signature margaritas from Patron, brews from Peroni, and just about any cocktail requested.

    Throughout the night, everyone waited their turn to pucker up and say cheese at the popular MirMir photo booth.

    Although DAB is the YP party of the season, its purpose goes beyond a glamorous night of fun. The soiree raised $20,000 for Reading Partners of North Texas, a group of local volunteers who help Dallas' underprivileged elementary school-age children master basic reading skills through individual tutoring.

    "It is so inspiring to see young professionals turn out every year in support of impacting early education for kids right here in Dallas," said Kraus.

    A few notable faces seen at the ball include: Marty Martinez, Raven Gates and Adam Gottschalk from The Bachelor, and Gracie Hunt. Also having a great time were Sabrina Johnson, Jenna Jacobs, Gretchen Neftzger, Lindsay Steffes, Alex Castillo, Carter Inman, Claudia Lode, Preston Hext, Thomas Hoeber, Ashley Phillips, Connor Fleming, Shelly Mahony, Jeff Lohmann, Casey Schuler, Zach Roberts, Rachel Urquhart, Mandy Appleby, Jessica Schroeck, and many more.

    Alex Castillo, Carter Inman

    Alex Castillo, Carter Inman
      
    Photo by WJNPHOTO
    Alex Castillo, Carter Inman
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    Tastemaker Awards

    Tastemaker Awards party salutes the best in Dallas restaurants in 2025

    Teresa Gubbins
    May 5, 2025 | 7:59 pm
    Dallas Tastemaker Awards
    Ashley Gongora
    Dallas Tastemaker Awards

    Foodies from all across Dallas showed up for the 2025 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards, celebrating Dallas' top restaurants, bars, and chefs who've led the local dining scene most in the past year.

    After months of buildup, the winners were revealed at an awards ceremony and tasting event on on Thursday, May 1 at the Astoria Event Venue in Irving.

    The presentation of the awards was the pinnacle in a night of food and drink, in which more than a dozen nominated chefs and restaurants served up delicious bites, while bartenders crafted cocktails incorporating spirits from event sponsors including: Still Austin Whiskey and Hornitos Tequila, along with Pennsyvania-based Yuengling Beer, who served their traditional lager as well as Flight, their light lager.

    There were specialty cocktails from Silent Pool Gin (English G&T), Hornitos Tequila (Hornitos Paloma, ranch water, and neat), Reyka Vodka (Reyka espresso martini and cucumber martini), and Still Austin Whiskey (Still Austin old fashioned, plus neat pours of Straight and Cask Strength Bourbon and Rye Whiskey).

    Alcohol-free options included the Honey Berry Fizz from Punch Bowl Social, the Cucumber Garden mocktail from Seedlip, and an irresistible pistachio espresso martini from Ritual Zero Proof.

    The tastiest plates of the night included Chicken kofta meatballs from Goodwins, Peking duck wraps and spicy tuna cones from Komodo, Salmon bowl box and sesame rice noodles from Loro (served in a cool take-out box), rigatoni Genovese from Perch Bistro, pimento cheese and Benton's country ham sandwiches from The Porch, and pineapple char siu pulled pork baos from Scout at the Statler.

    Favorite sweet options included strawberry matcha and pink champagne macarons from Ollio Patisserie, and a medley of treats from LA 57 that included mini almond croissants, mini cannoli, and mini cajeta empanadas. Caffeine fans were rewarded with honey lavender cold brew from Well Grounded Coffee and iced coffee from Whataburger.

    After all that eating and drinking, it was time for the awards, delivered by charming emcee Mark Schechtman. For weeks leading up to the event, we published a special editorial series that highlighted nominees in nine categories. Winners were chosen by a panel of local food and beverage experts — except for the category of Best New Restaurant, which was voted on by readers in a bracket-style competition online.

    Dallas Tastemaker Awards
      

    Ashley Gongora

    Dallas Tastemaker Awards

    These winners were announced and presented with glass trophies, as the crowd enthusiastically cheered for each one:

    • Rising Star Chef of the Year: Roman Murphy, Perch Bistro
    • Pastry Chef of the Year: Ryan Stipp, Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa
    • Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: The Porch
    • Bar of the Year: Columbian Country Club
    • Best Coffee Shop: Merit Coffee
    • Best Eatertainment: Chicken N Pickle
    • Best New Restaurant: Nikki Greek Bistro & Lounge
    • Chef of the Year: Jeff Bekavac, Goodwins
    • Restaurant of the Year: Mister Charles

    A portion of the proceeds benefited Harvest Project Food Rescue, an indigenous led environmental nonprofit fighting food insecurity by redirecting surplus produce to DFW communities each week.

    ________________________

    Hungry to be a part of it all next year? You can read about all the winners here, and we'll see you in 2026. The Tastemaker Awards ceremony is brought to you by The Yuengling Company, Brioche Gourmet, Still Austin Whiskey, Hornitos, Whataburger, Reyka Vodka, Silent Pool Gin, and PicMe Events. A portion of the proceeds benefitted our nonprofit partner, Harvest Project Food Rescue.

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