Fall in Dallas is prime time for fun food events, no matter what kind of cuisine — or party — you prefer. Whether you crave barbecue, veggies, or posh passed apps, there's a fête for that. This fall, may your cup runneth over at these nine food events that will fill your schedule and your plate, too.
Harvest — September 21
This beloved event benefiting the North Texas Food Bank is kicking off the fall food event season at a new venue and spirited co-chairs. Maggie Kipp and Melinda Knowles will welcome guests to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden for an evening of unique auction packages, specialty cocktails, and an open-air feast from some of Dallas’ top chefs. Guests are being asked to dress in "garden glamorous" attire.
Smoked BBQ Festival — September 22
This fifth annual event, at Main Street Garden, features award-winning pitmasters serving brisket, ribs, sausage, and more. Think BBQ on the Brazos, 18th & Vine, Heim Barbecue, and more. Café Momentum is providing the side dishes, and desserts are compliments of Fearing's. Guests can also enjoy live music by Eleven Hundreds Springs, Mike and the Moonpies, and The Dean Fearing Band. Tickets start at $50 and the event lasts from 2-6 pm.
Burgers + Burgundy — October 5
Terri Provencal and chef John Tesar bring DIFFA's culinary fundraiser to The Eye at The Joule for a night of, you guessed it, burgers and burgundy. Participating burger makers for the 10th anniversary edition include Coner Seargeant (Wheelhouse), Blaine Staniford (Grace), and Bruno Davaillon (Bullion). Tickets are $150, and the event starts at 7 pm.
Plano Food and Wine Festival — October 6
This inaugural food festival at The Shops at Willow Bend will showcase more than 100 wines, food from 20 different restaurants, and food trucks in a lively environment. There will also be live music, local artists, culinary demonstrations, a play zone for kids, and even grape-stomping competitions. Tickets start at $20 and all proceeds benefit North Texas Performing Arts.
Park & Palate — October 26-27
This Klyde Warren Park fundraiser is in its fourth year and gets kicked off with a VIP three-course seated dinner by chef Kent Rathbun on Friday night. That evening also offers guests food trucks under the stars and music by the Jordan Kahn Orchestra. Saturday is the main event, dubbed Grand Taste, and it includes at bites, beverages, and beats by DJ Souljah at the park. Tickets for Grand Taste start at $75 and the event is from 12-4 pm.
Texas Veggie Fair — October 27
This free event at Reverchon Park, the largest veggie fest in Texas, is in its ninth year of celebrating plant-based lifestyle options. This year is expected to be bigger and better than ever with great food, speakers, music, vendors, and more. This event is happening from 11 am-6 pm and is dog friendly. Info on live music and speakers will be posted here as it is made available.
Texas Monthly BBQ Fest — November 4
Okay, fine. This festival is technically in Austin, but when Texas Monthly throws a barbecue event, the faithful will come from all over the state. This event, happening at the Long Center for Performing Arts, features the latest list of the magazine's Top 50 BBQ Joints in Texas and lots of cold beer. Those that made the list from the DFW area include Cattleack, Pecan Lodge, Lockart Smokehouse, Heim, BBQ on the Brazos, and Top 5 BBQ. This year, each pitmaster has been asked to bring a side or dessert. Tickets start at $80 and the event lasts from 1-4 pm.
Chefs for Farmers — November 4
There are many events that make up this multiday festival, but, insider tip: The Main Event is where it's at. The culinary extravaganza moves to its new location at Dallas Heritage Village. Attendees can sample bites created by more than 50 farmers and talented chefs focused on creating locally sourced cuisine. New this year, Chef John Tesar (Knife) has invited some of the top pitmasters in the nation to add their BBQ best to the event. Tickets start at $84 and the event lasts from 2-6 pm.
Meat Fight — November 11
This event's goal is to raise money for the National MS Society and Meat Fight Inc. Twelve chefs will battle it out against Texas Monthly BBQ editor Daniel Vaughn to earn bragging rights for their brisket, sausage, and ribs. Tickets go on sale at 10 am October 4, and they usually sell out quickly. Tickets are $95 and the VIP tickets are $145. This year's event is purposefully a little smaller and is located at Sixty Five Hundred.
Burgers + Burgundy is on October 5 at The Eye at The Joule.
Wings and nachos at Shark Club.Photo courtesy of Shark Club