A Toast to the Tastemakers

Celebrate Dallas' culinary all-stars at the 2022 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards

We'll see you in May to toast the Dallas Tastemakers.

Photo by Ashley Gongora

Get ready to raise a glass to Dallas' restaurant and bar stars. The annual CultureMap Tastemaker Awards returns this spring — and tickets are on sale now.

Join us May 12 at Fashion Industry Gallery (F.I.G.) for an evening honoring the very best of Dallas' culinary scene.

The fun begins with our signature tasting event, where you'll sample special bites from this year's participating nominees and sip an array of cocktails, beer, and more. The night culminates in our annual awards ceremony, once again helmed by Dallas comedian CJ Starr.

The Tastemaker Awards nominees are determined by a panel of industry experts, including past winners. Our mission is to shine a spotlight on the people making the local restaurant scene special and honor their innovation, energy, and creativity.

The 2022 Dallas program will honor Restaurant of the Year, Chef of the Year, Bar of the Year, Rising Star Chef of the Year, Pastry Chef of the Year, Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year, Bartender of the Year, Wine Program of the Year, Best New Restaurant, and Best New Pizza.

The nominees will be unveiled in our special editorial series leading up to the big event.

On May 12, we'll reveal the winner in each category, including the readers' choice winner for Best New Restaurant, which will be determined by you in an upcoming online tournament.

A limited number of Early Bird tickets are on sale now at discounted rates of $60 for general admission and $99 for VIP (includes early access to the event, valet, and a dedicated bar). Prices will increase April 1, so grab your tickets now for this sell-out affair.

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The event is brought to you by Stranahan's Rocky Mountain Single Malt Whiskey, Maestro Dobel Tequila, Deep Ellum Brewing Co., and Topo Chico. A portion of proceeds will benefit our nonprofit partner, Harvest Project Food Rescue.

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Holiday News

Dream Center Dallas to host free Thanksgiving dinner giveaway

Photo by Kathy Tran

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A nonprofit in south Dallas is the latest to offer free food for Thanksgiving: The Dream Center Dallas, a church-related group that provides free resources and services to vulnerable communities, will serve free Thanksgiving meals to individuals and families across Oak Cliff and South Dallas.

The event will take place at their headquarters at 1900 S. Ewing Ave. on Wednesday, November 26, at 1 pm.

This is the fifth year that Dream Center Dallas is doing the initiative. They expect to serve more than 1,000 families, who will receive turkeys or hams, 12-inch pumpkin pies, mixed vegetables, stuffing, applesauce, fried apples, mashed potatoes, gravy, and a variety of fresh produce.

The Dream Center Dallas offers various programs, including food distribution, a "Women's Store" for clothing and essentials, and "Adopt-A-Block" outreaches.

The organization was founded by Dustin and Jamie Bates Dallas in 2020, establishing it as a partner organization to the original Dream Center in Los Angeles. Dustin Bates is also the lead pastor of Church Eleven32. Their goal was to provide resources and services for people in Dallas facing issues like homelessness, hunger, addiction, and human trafficking.

This annual outreach is focused on meeting community needs, building connection, and creating a space of hope and gratitude for neighbors who may be facing food insecurity or seeking support.

Anyone who wants to support the outreach can volunteer on-site to help prepare meals, welcome families, and distribute food during the event. They can also donate money or get their employer to sponsor the event.

Thanksgiving 2025 has seen an uptick in free holiday meal distributions including a November 22 giveaway on the UNT Dallas campus at 7300 University Hills Blvd. in south Dallas, and H-E-B's annual Feast of Sharing giveaway on November 20 in Fair Park.

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