Cooking With Tre

How to get intimate and hands-on with a Dallas Top Chef contestant

Chef Tre Wilcox is opening an actual brick-and-mortar space.

Photo by Rhi Lee

Chef Tre Wilcox, who became a local celebrity of sorts after his 2007 appearance on Top Chef, has a new venture called Tre Wilcox Cooking Concepts that is occupying an actual brick-and-mortar location at 8200 Preston Rd., right on the edge of Plano and Frisco.

The 3,200-square-food space combines a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen with the intimate touches of a home kitchen. It will serve as a hub for events, catering, team building competitions, and cooking classes where guests can work with Wilcox in a hands-on environment.

After a 20-year career as a restaurant chef, private chef, and TV personality, Wilcox is taking everything he’s learned and applying it to a new setting where he can offer his brand of fun, educational cooking classes:

Hands-on cooking classes. Classes of up to 16 people will participate in making three-course menus. Classes will be offered for adults and children; all ingredients, tools, and recipes will be provided. After the class, attendees are invited to bring a guest and some wine to enjoy their three-course dinner with full-service staff.

Couples cooking classes. Intimate class of no more than 16 people will enjoy a quick interactive cooking demonstration and tasting with Wilcox. Upbeat global music will set the mood, and guests will pair off to prepare three small plates recipes. The three-hour evening session will include cooking instructions by professional chefs, a meal of four small plates, and copies of each recipe.

TRE demonstration classes. "TRE" stands for "Techniques, Recipes, Execution." An intimate, interactive look at cooking with a lesson by Wilcox or a professional guest chef-instructor that might include Top Chef contestants, local celebrity chefs, or nationally known chefs. Four-course menu will include tastings while guests take notes and watch the chef work. BYOB.

Corporate team building. Groups of up to 40 will work together to prepare their own gourmet meal in one of three themes: Family Dinner, Iron Chef Battle, or Market Basket Challenge. The two menu styles offered are a chef-crafted buffet or three-course plated dinner.

The space will also be available for corporate parties and private events, Monday-Saturday, 6-10 pm. The building will be equipped with wireless internet, a plasma screen, and access to other AV needs.

"This is the culmination of two decades of hard work and a love for both cooking and teaching," Wilcox says in a release. "I'm excited to bring Tre Wilcox Cooking Concepts to fruition and to share this vision with the public in a fun and instructional hands-on setting."

openings

Fro Yo News

Healthy dual restaurant serving smoothies and froyo to open in Prosper

Red Mango

Smoothies and frozen yogurt are coming to Prosper with two restaurants in one: Smoothie Factory + Kitchen and co-branded Red Mango will open at 1470 W. Frontier Pkwy. #102, on May 17.

On the Smoothie Kitchen side, they'll serve smoothies, juices, fruit power bowls, toasts, and grilled sandwich folds.

On the Red Mango side, they'll serve frozen yogurt with a self-serve model featuring four flavors, two additional swirl combinations, and 13 toppings.

Smoothie Factory was founded in the 1980s; Red Mango was founded in Dallas in 2007 had has 60 locations in the U.S. and internationally. The concepts are siblings — both part of the franchise portfolio of Dallas-based franchising company Brix Holdings, LLC.

Bringing the concept to Prosper are franchisees Lanford and Chianna Rodgers. Lanford is a former Illinois state trooper and independent insurance business owner, and Chiana is a financial advisor.

Together, they’re looking to offer a healthy and welcoming experience to a growing city.

“My professional career has changed over the years, but the one thing that unifies my experience is my purpose to help, support and build a community with new people,” says Chianna. “As I begin my journey as a small business owner and we open our doors to the Prosper community, I’m dedicated to leading a team that feels supported and is passionate about serving high-quality products and creating an unforgettable customer experience.”

Customers who show up on opening day can expect promotions, giveaways, prizes, and activities.

”The opening of the new Smoothie Factory + Kitchen and Red Mango location is one of many of our continuous efforts to provide better-for-you options to our guests by increasing access to healthy and delicious options in our communities,” says BRIX Holdings CEO Sherif Mityas in a statement. “Lanford is a passionate and dedicated owner with a team ready to make a positive impact and change the lives of their guests with fresh food, quality service, and a seamless customer experience. I’m confident that this location will be a Prosper neighborhood staple.”

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