Foodie Things To Do

The 5 best food and drink events in Dallas during New Year's week

Visit Strokers Ice House for beer, burgers, and chili on New Year's Day.

Strokers Ice House/Facebook

The year comes to a close with many delicious ways to celebrate in Dallas. We have an entire list of places hosting New Year's Eve dinner, and another whole list of places open for New Year's Day brunch. But don't slack during the rest of the week, when there are options for daytime New Year's Eve dining (staying up until midnight not required), a big annual chili cook-off, and opportunities to kickstart a healthier 2025 in the kitchen.

Tuesday, December 31

New Year’s Eve Brunch at Four Corners Brewing Co.
The Dallas brewery will open early on New Year’s Eve for coffee, tea, micheladas and more served with a special menu by Pacheco Taco & Burger. The special event menus will be available from 9 am–2 pm, but the kitchen will remain open until 7 pm and the taproom until 8 pm.

Noon Year’s Eve at Fish City Grill
If staying up until midnight is not in your New Year's Eve plans, visit any location of Fish City Grill for a lunchtime party to ring in 2025. There’ll be party hats, table décor, and specials like $8 French 75s and peach bellinis. Lunch menu specials include horseradish artic char with Creole cream and buttermilk mashed potatoes ($25), and lobster and shrimp grilled cheese with applewood smoked bacon ($20.49). Fish City Grill has locations in Allen, Dallas, Flower Mound, and Richardson.

Wednesday, January 1

16th Annual Chili Cookoff at Strokers Ice House
Start the New Year off with some spice. The legendary Dallas biker bar and restaurant will host its annual chili cook-off, and guests get to judge. Pay $5 to taste all entries and choose your favorite. There’ll be trophies for first, second, and third places, and judging starts at 3 pm. But arrive as early as 12 noon to start sampling. Motorcycle not required.

Friday, January 3

Steakhouse at The Cookery
Learn how to pan sear the perfect steak during this hands-on culinary class at The Cookery Dallas. The three-course menu will feature scratch Caesar salad with garlic croutons, pan-seared steaks with whole grain mustard sauce, creamed spinach, and Duchess potatoes, and mini Oreo cheesecakes with raspberry whipped cream. Tickets are $125 and include wine and Manhattan cocktail pairings. Class begins at 6:30 pm.

Saturday, January 4

Winter Wellness Event at Central Market Plano
Kick off 2025 with some healthy inspiration. Visit Central Market Plano for complimentary wellness product samples, recipe ideas and demos, and 25 percent off vitamins, supplements, bars, and body care. The event will run from 12–3 pm.

event-planner holidays

Chef News

Dallas chef nominated for James Beard award parts ways with restaurant

Instagram

RJ Yoakum

Dallas chef RJ Yoakum, who has earned scads of acclaim in Dallas in his role as executive chef at Georgie, the high-profile restaurant in the Knox Street district, is no longer executive chef at Georgie.

According to a spokesperson for Georgie, Yoakum left at the request of Stephan Courseau, Founder of Travis Street Hospitality and owner of Georgie, who said in a statement, "Travis Street Hospitality has parted ways with Chef RJ Yoakum. We recently became aware of multiple violations of company policy that do not align with our company's values. Georgie’s success is rooted in the strength of our team, and we are confident in our continued ability to deliver an exceptional dining experience."

Yoakum started working at Georgie in 2023, following tenures at high-profile restaurants such as The French Laundry in Napa and Angler in San Francisco. He quickly become a favorite of foodies — from Chefs For Farmers founder Iris Midler to influencers such as Drew the Food Guy — and helped erase Georgie's original incarnation under the direction of celebrity chef Curtis Stone into its own identity, making Georgie a hot reservation and earning acclaim and awards.

That acclaim and awards included Georgie nabbing a spot on the Michelin Guide's list of "Recommended" restaurants — one of 57 in Texas and 19 in the DFW area.

In addition, Yoakum himself earned a nomination in the 2025 James Beard Awards for "Emerging Chef - a chef who displays exceptional talent, character, and leadership ability" — one of six Dallas chefs & restaurants who made finalist status.

The 2025 James Beard Awards are being presented on June 16, the same day that the news of Yoakum's departure emerged. He remained a finalist, still on the website as competing against four other chefs, but did not win.

closings chefs