Let's Party

Savor what's on the menu for the 2024 Dallas Tastemaker Awards

The Tastemaker Awards are back at F.I.G. on May 16.

Photo by Ashley Gongora

Hope you're hungry, Dallas, because the CultureMap Tastemaker Awards are back and more delectable than ever.

This signature tasting event and awards ceremony celebrating Big D's culinary all-stars is taking place Thursday, May 16, at the Fashion Industry Gallery (F.I.G.) — and you're invited.

There's still time to snag tickets for the evening, which includes indulging in an array of mouthwatering bites and cocktails before raising a toast to the 2024 Tastemakers nominees, many of whom will be onsite serving up specialty dishes.

You can also learn more about the event's beneficiary, Harvest Project Food Rescue.

Hungry for more info? Here's a taste of what's on the menu:

Spicy tuna tartare cones from Best New Restaurant nominee Komodo Dallas
Beef carpaccio di manzo and cavatelli al ragu di Terra from Restaurant of the Year nominee Terra (Eataly)
Cauliflower steak bites with salsa verde from Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year nominee Meddlesome Moth
Mexican shrimp cocktail and poblano soup from Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year nominee Anaya's Seafood
Duck tacos and mushroom truffle shumai from Best New Restaurant nominee Maison Chinoise
Wagyu tartare aburi and avocado crunch from Rising Star Chef of the Year and Pastry Chef of the Year nominee Crown Block
Quail con mole from Best New Restaurant of the Year nominee Black Agave
Whipped eggplant from Best New Restaurant of the Year nominee Lyla
Roasted peaches in creme fraiche chantilly from Pastry Chef of the Year, Best Patio, and Rising Star Chef of the Year nominee The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas
Italian cream cake and red wine chocolate cupcakes from Pastry Chef of the Year nominee The Sweet Life
Plus more delicious dishes from other nominees

The evening will culminate in an awards ceremony hosted by DFW radio personality Mark Schectman, where we'll unveil Dallas' Restaurant of the Year, Chef of the Year, Best New Restaurant, Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year, Pastry Chef of the Year, Bar of the Year, Brewery of the Year, and — in our wild card category — Best Patio. You can read about all of this year's nominees in our special editorial series.

Don't miss your chance to toast the Tastemakers in person on May 16. Limited VIP and general admission tickets remain and can be purchased here.

chefs wine drinks desserts tastemaker awards

Tea News

New tea at Dallas' Mansion on Turtle Creek is seriously surreal

Mansion on Turtle Creek

Surreal desserts at Mansion on Turtle Creek

Dallas is a little tea crazy these days, but the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek has launched a new tea that stands out as truly surreal: Called the Surrealism Art Afternoon Tea, it's a limited-time immersive culinary experience timed to coincide with the International Surrealism Exhibition at the Dallas Museum of Art, and it's open for reservations through March 22, 2026.

According to a release, the Surrealism Art Afternoon Tea transforms The Mansion’s regular afternoon tea into a dreamlike journey, starring a parade of whimsical desserts paired with organic teas and celebratory champagne.

Guests will begin with savory sandwiches, followed by scones and inspired pastries reimagined through Dalí and the surrealistic lens.

The menu is informed by three pastries inspired by surrealistic works of art — two of which take direct inspiration by iconic works of Salvador Dalí. Each pastry draws from the symbolism, whimsy, and surreal visual language of these masterpieces.

These desserts are the centerpieces of the experiencing, evoking dreamscapes that are surreal in form and flavor.

Highlights include:

The Queen of Hearts, inspired by Dalí’s “Playing Card” collection. At first glance it looks like a regular card, but with a closer look you can find an array of traditional and non-traditional symbols and colors.

This pastry features ruby peach jelly, almond sponge and glazed strawberry mousse on a red sable heart, garnished with chocolate decorations and an edible queen of hearts.

The Metamorphosis of Narcissus. Painted in 1937, The Metamorphosis of Narcissus is Dalí’s interpretation of the Greek myth. Focusing on the narcissus flower, which begins to blossom out of Dalí’s egg, the flower symbolizes new beginnings.

This cake is composed of a mango and passion fruit jelly, pistachio financier and vanilla mouse, dipped in passion fruit chocolate and garnished with sugar daffodil and chocolate leaves.

Butterfly Windmill. this surrealist-inspired creation reflects the butterfly as a timeless symbol of freedom, metamorphosis, and transformation, central themes within the Surrealist movement.

The pastry layers citrus crémeux, olive oil cake, and almond–hazelnut praline, encased in Manjari chocolate mousse, glazed, and dipped in yuzu chocolate. A delicate butterfly, crafted from chocolate and sugar, crowns the piece as a final tribute to its symbolism.

The tea is set in the historic 1925 Mansion Library, surrounded by stained‐glass windows in a 16th-century Italian Renaissance-inspired setting. Price is $95, or $115 with a glass of Bollinger Champagne. Reservations are available Saturday and Sunday from 12–2:30 p.m. and may be made on OpenTable.

event-planner