Park & Palate, the newest addition to Klyde Warren Park’s annual signature events, will feature celebrity chefs, a Dallas-style grand tasting, cooking demos, live music and a unique VIP experience. The two-day celebration will highlight the innovative Dallas restaurant scene as well as key tastemakers throughout the region.

The weekend will kick off with Friday night’s signature event, Down to the Roots, where 12 of the best chefs from across Texas will go head-to-head to create comfort food with a modern twist. Attendees will try out imaginative creations from the competitors, all paired to perfection with beer, wine, or cocktails. Accompanied by the sound of the popular roots-rock group the Paul Thorn Band, the competition will be judged by a panel of experts, including Amanda Freitag, a frequent Food Network guest and judge on Chopped. The VIP Lounge in Savor Gastropub will include bites from renowned chef, restaurateur, and author Jonathan Waxman.

Down to the Roots participating chefs include Alma Alcocer of El Alma Restorante and Bar; Andrew Wisehart of Contigo and Gardner; Becky Masson of Fluff Bake Bar; Jason Dady of The Jason Dady Restaurant Group; Jeff Balfour of Southerleigh; Julio Peraza of Proof + Pantry and Madrina; John Tesar of Knife; Kent Rathbun of Kent Rathbun Concepts; Michael Fojtasek and Grae Nonas of Olamaie; Tiffany Derry of Tiffany Derry Concepts; Tre Wilcox of Tre Wilcox Cooking Concepts; and Tyson Cole of uchi and uchiko.

The event will culminate in a Texas-sized Grand Tasting on Saturday, September 26 with more than 30 Texas chefs and 30 wineries along with an open bar featuring tastings of spirits, craft cocktails, and beers, plus book signings and live cooking demonstrations by guest chefs throughout the day. Chefs participating in the Grand Tasting include Anastacia Quinones of Kitchen LTO; Andrea Meyer of Bisous Bisous Pâtisserie; Andrea Shackelford of Harvest; Andrew Wisehart of Contigo and Gardner; Becky Masson of Fluff Bake Bar; Brian Luscher of Luscher's Red Hots; Danyele McPherson of Remedy; Dennis Kelley and Melody Bishop of Lark on the Park; Diego Galicia and Rico Torres of Mixtli Progressive Mexican Culinaria; Graham Dodds of Hibiscus; Jason Dady of The Jason Dady Restaurant Group; Jeramie Robison of Shinsei; Jodi Elliott of Bribery Bakery; Joel Harrington of Bolsa; John Coleman and Joe Scigliano of Savor Gastropub; Julie Vorce of Pink Apron Pastry; Julio Peraza of Proof & Pantry and Madrina; Matt Orth of Lark on the Park; Meaders Ozarow (owner) of Empire Baking Company; Michael Martensen of Proof & Pantry and Madrina; Omar Flores of Casa Rubia; Paula Lambert of Mozzarrella Company; renowned pastry chef Philip Speer; Rich Rogers of Scardello Artisan Cheese; Richard Blankenship of CBD Provisions; Sarah Snow of The Grape; Stefan Bowers of Feast; Stephen Rogers and Allison Yoder of Gemma; Timothy Rattray of The Granary 'Cue & Brew; Todd Duplechan of Lenoir; and more.

The event will be limited to guests 21 years and up, but Klyde Warren Park will offer free family friendly programming on the East Lawn to stay in line with their mission of providing entertainment for everyone in Dallas. All proceeds from Park & Palate will go directly back to Klyde Warren Park, supporting its daily operations and free year-round programming.