Let's talk food events. In Dallas, you can find one practically any day of the week. This fall, however, a healthy crop of fantastic events are planned that go above and beyond your typical foodie festival. From barbecue to veggies and everything in between, here are the top nine food events of fall happening in Dallas.
Touchdown Tailgate Tasting, September 13
At this first-time event benefiting Cafe Momentum, local chefs battle it out in the kitchen to put their spin on traditional tailgate food. Participating chefs include Anastacia Quinones (Kitchen LTO), Danyele McPherson (Remedy), Jacob Williamson (Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck), Nathan Tate (Rapscallion), and Patton Robertson (Sissy’s Southern Kitchen). Local TV personality Dawn Neufeld and CultureMap editor in chief Jennifer Chininis are among those on the judge's panel, but attendees can vote for their favorites too. Leprechaun Premium Hard Cider and Reilly’s Whiskey are providing specialty cocktails. The event starts at 1 pm, and tickets are $50.
Harvest at Dallas Farmers Market, September 18
Event chair Blake Stephenson joins forces with honorary chairs Anne and Steve Stodghill to host this second annual event at The Shed located at the Dallas Farmers Market. Chef chair Sharon Hage recruits some of Dallas’ top chefs, resulting in delicious food along with specialty cocktails, entertainment by DJ Lucy Wrubel, and silent and live auctions. All proceeds benefit the senior and child programs of the North Texas Food Bank. Tickets are $200 and the event starts at 7 pm.
Park and Palate at Klyde Warren Park, September 25-26
This inaugural, two-day event starts with the Down to the Roots event, where 12 chefs create comfort food with a modern twist. Attendees get to taste all the creations that are paired with beer, wine, and cocktails while listening to the Paul Thorn Band. The event culminates with the Grand Tasting on Saturday, with 30 chefs and 30 wineries offering tastings, cooking demos, and book signings with DJ Lucy Wrubel (she's busy!) spinning background jams. All proceeds go directly back to Klyde Warren Park. Tickets start at $150 and the fun kicks off Friday at 7:30 pm.
Burgers & Burgundy at Home of Bill and Karen Seanor, October 2
Event chairs Olivia Zokai and Terri Provencal assure that this is the swankiest backyard barbecue you will ever attend. Happening at the stunning home of Karen and Bill Seanor, Chef John Tesar and his celebrity chef buds are cooking up burgers of all kinds and the burgundy wine flows nonstop. All proceeds benefit DIFFA Dallas, which raises funds for organizations fighting HIV/AIDS. Tickets begin at $85 and the event starts at 6:30 pm.
Smoked at Main Street Garden, October 3
Chefs from all over the country are making their way to Dallas to show off their unique barbecue chops. Another impressive aspect of this event is the live music, with performances by Asleep At The Wheel, The Suffers, Bobby Patterson, Pleasant Grove, The Vandoliers, Dean Fearing’s Lost Coyote, and Quaker City Nighthawks. Tickets start at $22 and the event starts at 1 pm.
Texas Veggie Fair at Reverchon Park, October 17
This free, dog-friendly event is wildly popular in Dallas. So much so that 10,000 people showed up last year to celebrate a healthier, kinder, more sustainable way of eating. This is the largest veggie festival in Texas, and this year's speakers include eco-lifestyle expert Ashlee Piper and Paul Shapiro of the The Humane Society of the United States. There are chef demos, live music, and vendors galore.
March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction at Omni Dallas, October 22
The always charitable Chef Kent Rathbun draws a large crowd to this signature event benefiting the March of Dimes. Rathbun and his chef buddies prepare their signature dishes in celebration of stronger, healthier babies. Event chairs Sunie Solomon and Amy Turner, along with Nancy and Richard Rogers of Mary Kay, promise a special evening of delicious food, wine, coveted auction items, and comradery with fellow March of Dimes supporters. Tickets start at $500 and the event starts at 6 pm.
Chefs for Farmers at Lee Park, October 25
This event is special because it involves chefs and farmers coming together for an incredible foodie feast at a picturesque location. Drink local brews from the beer garden, then butter your biscuit at the biscuit bar before switching to champagne and oysters. Over 120 local food vendors set up shop to mingle among industry friends while guests enjoy their goods on the lawn amidst DJs and live entertainment. Trust us, it's as blissful as it sounds. Tickets are $75 and the event starts at 2 pm.
Meat Fight at Trinity Groves, November 15
Four teams of Dallas chefs compete for a trophy that has gotten pretty darn prestigious in the world of meat. Chefs duke it out in four categories: brisket, pulled pork, sausage, and a wild card. Judges are always pretty impressive too, bringing in Aaron Franklin, Daniel Vaughn, Brian C. Luscher, and many more. Meat Fight proceeds go to the National MS Society and the Meat Bike program. Tickets are $95 and the event starts at 2 pm for VIPs, 3 pm for general admission.
Chef Danyele McPherson will be at the Touchdown Tailgate Tasting on September 13.
Designed by local artists at Decotron, the front-porch sign at Trapèze offers a taste of what's inside. Photo courtesy Trapèze/Peter Novotny