More than 600 guests attended the seventh annual Stewpot Alliance Soup’s On! Luncheon and Art Sale at the Omni Dallas hotel, where a dozen of Dallas’ finest chefs served their signature soups for an important cause.
Event chairs Anne Besser and Jackie Moore recruited Stewpot Alliance member and civic leader Susie Simon as the luncheon’s honorary chair. Together they welcomed charitable attendees, who not only satisfied their hunger for food, but also for art, thanks to a sale featuring original paintings from artists of Stewpot Open Art.
This luncheon was also an exciting time for patrons — including Rosemary Robbins, Jane Blizzard, Lisa Cunov, Gene Liese, and Becky and Larry Sykes — to learn about the luncheon’s beneficiary and recent historical acquisition, which they will call Encore Park. This expanded campus, currently in the groundbreaking phase, will feature an outdoor amphitheater, community garden, street culture museum, art gallery, and expanded space for its partner agencies and its own programs.
When it was time for the meal, The Grape’s Brian C. Luscher, who served as chef chairman for the luncheon, spoke for a bit about the importance of the organization. The he got down to business, introducing the chefs he recruited — including the Mansion’s Bruno Davaillon, Casa Rubia’s Omar Flores, Cafe Momentum’s Chad Houser, Remedy’s Danyele McPherson, FT33’s Matt McCallister and The Grape’s Sarah Snow — to prepare soups for the first course of the luncheon.
When the plates were cleared, the luncheon continued with a couple of songs from keynote crooner Jimmy Wayne. This country music singer-songwriter is a former foster child whose songs highlight his mission to bring awareness to kids who age out of the foster system and become homeless.
Almost 40 years ago, The Stewpot began providing meals to the homeless and at-risk citizens of Dallas. Programs have since been developed to assist with medical needs, counseling, enrichment of children and youth, job training, and cultural expression.
Anne Besser, Jimmy Wayne, Jackie Moore
