This week in gluttony

These are the 6 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

DIFFA's Burgers & Burgundy takes place Friday, October 8.

Photo courtesy of DIFFA Dallas

The week begins with a traveling bourbon pop-up that's making a stop in Dallas. Then, make plans for three wine pairing events: one with burgers, one with pizzas, and another with samples from more than a dozen restaurants. End the week with a new beer garden brunch event featuring live local music.

Tuesday, October 5

Legent Bourbon Omakase Experience
Kentucky-based Legent bourbon is hosting a one-night-only bourbon pop-up, featuring three bourbon cocktails crafted by Dallas mixologist Julia Momose, paired with three accompanying snacks. It takes place at 8:30 pm and is free — but seating is limited, and you must sign up in advance online for the chance to attend.

Pizza & Texas Wine Tasting at Gorji
Guests will receive three different skillet pizzas from the Belt Line Road Mediterranean restaurant, each paired with West Texas-based Reddy Vineyards wines. Pairings include marsanne, rosé, and a Tuscan-inspired red blend. Reservations are $79 per person, and dinner begins at 6 pm.

Wednesday, October 6

Celebrity Chef Demonstration at State Fair of Texas
Chef Noah Hester, star of E’s hit show The Bradshaw Brunch and son-in-law of NFL legend Terry Bradshaw, will lead a cooking demonstration at the State Fair of Texas. He's one of several chefs scheduled to showcase their culinary skills at the Cutco Celebrity Chef Kitchen throughout the fair. Watch as he prepares traditional Hawaiian-style poke starting at 11 am. The demonstration is free with State Fair admission.

Friday, October 8

Burgers & Burgundy
The Dallas Chapter of Design Industry Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) will host its signature culinary event presented by chef John Tesar. Set to take place outside in the Peach Plaza at Cathedral of Hope, the event will feature gourmet burgers from Tesar and nine other local and national chefs. Proteins will come from 44 Farms, and buns are to be provided by Empire Baking Co. There’ll also be wine pairings and cocktails. Tickets are $125 per person, and the event will run from 6-9 pm.

Saturday, October 9

Honky Tonk Beer Garden Brunch at Lochland’s
The East Dallas restaurant and bar will debut its Honky Tonk Beer Garden Brunch featuring local live music. The inaugural brunch will feature singer-songwriter Mike Randall. Guests can enjoy brunch dishes like smoked salmon pancakes and hash and eggs, plus house-made sangria, mimosas, and brunch punch. Music will begin at noon, but Lochland's opens early at 10 am.

Fourth Annual Plano Food & Wine Festival
Taking place at Legacy West, the all-day event will give guests tastes from 30 wineries and 15 Plano-area restaurants, including True Food Kitchen, The Dock, Prim & Proper, Mesero, and more. Tickets are $80 for both food and wine, or they may be purchased separately ($45 for wine tastings, $50 for food tastings). The event begins at noon, and food tastings will be available until 4 pm; wine tastings will flow until 7 pm.

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Pie News

White Rhino Coffee acquires Dallas bakery chain Emporium Pies

Photo courtesy of Emporium Pies

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A Dallas pie company has a new boss: Emporium Pies, a small chain of pie shops founded in 2012, has been acquired by White Rhino Coffee, the Dallas-born coffee company known for its community-driven cafés and craft-focused approach.

Emporium Pie owners and sisters Landon Perdue, Jen Abohosh, and Addie Roberts say in a release that the transition reflects a natural alignment in values.

"Part of our shared mission is hospitality and giving people a reason to celebrate," Roberts says. "We love the team, who I’ll continue working alongside, and I’m excited for this next chapter together. There’s something about dessert that brings people joy in a way nothing else can, and we’re thrilled to see that legacy carried forward."

Emporium began as a small operation selling pies from a 1930s bungalow in Bishop Arts. A second location opened in McKinney in 2013, followed by Deep Ellum which opened in 2016, and Fort Worth which opened in 2021, for a total of four shops. This is the second time the chain has changed hands; the original founders sold the company in 2022.

White Rhino was founded in 2007 and currently has 12 locations, the most recent being a location at Cypress Waters, inside a conference room, which opened in 2025.

“Emporium Pies has built an extraordinary legacy,” said Sara Escamilla, CEO of White Rhino Coffee. “Their products are consistently excellent, impeccably crafted, and beloved. Every pie is made with the highest quality ingredients. To be able to support and grow a concept of this caliber is an honor.”

The bakers and Addie Roberts will remain on staff, ensuring that the recipes remain unchanged. While the businesses will operate as usual for now, White Rhino Coffee plans to explore expanding Emporium Pies’ footprint across the Dallas–Fort Worth area.

They'll also introduce collaborations and menu integrations such as signature pie-and-coffee pairings.

“For now, it simply means coffee and pie - two of life’s best comforts - can be enjoyed across both brands,” Escamilla says.

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