Tastemaker Awards 2019

Dallas-Fort Worth culinary superstars and food fans toast the Tastemaker Awards

It was all the very best food and drink at the 2019 Tastemaker Awards, CultureMap's celebration of the top restaurants, bars, and culinary masters, held at the Fashion Industry Gallery in downtown Dallas on April 25.

More than 25 bars and restaurants dished out spectacular tastes in a hedonistic feast. The sixth year of the annual event, presented by Woodford Reserve and benefiting North Texas Food Bank, it drew a sold-out crowd of more than 700 attendees and proved to be the most delicious one yet.

Lines formed quickly for small plates and samples from some of Dallas-Fort Worth's most popular and influential eateries. Buzzy dishes included tripe chicharrones at Khao Noodle Shop; brisket elote at Panther City BBQ; Lady Marmalade pizza at Zoli's NY Pizza; a vivid green pea soup from Bullion, winner of Restaurant of the Year; and Bavarian pretzel bites with beer cheese fondue at The Common Table.

Some restaurants had multiple offerings. The Pyramid Restaurant & Bar served pig head taco and a mini mole tart; Al Biernat's did tenderloin with garlic mashed potatoes and for the vegans, a veggie tart; and Sauce Pizza and Wine threw down a three-course "meal" of Caprese skewers, baked beef lasagna, and dark chocolate and orange zest cannoli.

For the first time, VIP ticket-holders could arrive early and mingle in a lounge just for them. The French Room's Anthony Dispensa — a nominee for Chef of the Year — prepared an elevated food-pairing experience for VIPs throughout the night. Courses included: steak tartare with horseradish cream on brioche, paired with Woodford Reserve bourbon; quail egg on cauliflower gel and caviar, paired with Woodford Reserve Rye; and chicken parfait with herbed sourdough, paired with Woodford Reserve Double Oak.

VIP guest mixologist Austin Millspaugh crafted the most talked-about cocktail of the night in the VIP lounge. The drink, called a Kentucky Play Bill, was a take on a traditional mint julep, made with Woodford Reserve and topped with honey whipped cream, mint, baby's breath, and a whimsical garnish — homemade popcorn.

Desserts got their very own dedicated Sweet Suite, where pastry chef nominees turned out an array of gorgeous sweets, such as cookies n' cream tartlets from Bisous Bisous Patisserie; Strawberry Fields sorbet and pink goat ice cream from Baldo's Ice Cream & Coffee; mini butter biscuits with bourbon apple butter from The Statler; and dessert tostadas from Dallas Athletic Club. Sugarfina even set up a grab-and-go candy bar.

The main bar poured potent cocktails, including a Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned, a margarita starring El Jimador tequila, and the most popular drink of the night — the Gold Rush — featuring Woodford Reserve Bourbon with honey syrup and lemon juice. Korbel offered bubbly mixed with fun flavors like blackberry and mango at the Bubbly Bar; wines by Sonoma-Cutrer and beers from Deep Ellum Brewing Company and Alaskan Brewing Co. were served; and guests paced themselves at the Topo Chico Hydration Station.

But this party wasn't just a feeding frenzy; we had some awards to present. CultureMap senior editor Teresa Gubbins welcomed the crowd and introduced celebrity emcee chef Dean Fearing, who announced winners in 14 categories from restaurants and bars across Dallas-Fort Worth. They were selected by judges consisting of past winners, food and beverage industry experts, and CultureMap editors: Anastacia Quinones, Doug Pickering, Jeana Johnson, Keith Cedotal, Omar Flores, Ron Ruggless, Steve Deshazo, Tom Fleming, Trevor Landry, Darren McDonald, Lanny Lancarte, Lisa Little-Adams, Malolm Mayhew, Marcus Paslay, Stephanie Merry, and Gubbins.

One of the biggest awards of the night was for Best New Restaurant, voted on by the CultureMap readers. The winners were Taco Y Vino in Dallas and Four Sisters in Fort Worth. They were greeted with some of the heartiest cheers of the night.

Winners accepted gorgeous trophies onstage, and some stepped to the mic to give quick speeches.

Bartender of the Year winner Chris Unruh of Tiny Victories acknowledged his fellow nominees, as well as hardworking bartenders who did not make the list. "This city is so, so phenomenally full of talented people. I think we all probably deserve a piece of this," he said, wrapping up with a line that got more than a few cheers: "Let's party, man."

When she accepted Clay Pigeon's Fort Worth Restaurant of the Year award, chef Bria Downey gave props to the city to the west: "I just want to say thank you, Dallas, for hosting us, but I love you, Fort Worth."

Between feasting and celebrating, guests stopped to snap Insta-worthy photos at the Photobooth and bought raffle tickets benefiting North Texas Food Bank. DJ Blake Ward kept the beats lively all night. After the awards presentation, the Landliners Band took the stage for an acoustic set.

To make getting to and from the event a breeze, Tastemaker Award attendees got a free ride with a special code from the new rideshare app Alto.

Spotted in the crowd were Dallas dining VIPs and influencers, including prior Tastemaker winner Eddie "Lucky" Campbell, restaurateur Brad Woy, Amy MacLaren, restaurateur Amir Omar, PR mavens Susan Friedman, Cynthia Smoot, and Marcy Bales, and Best of Guide's Tammany Stern.

Also having fun were guests Alice Schermer, Amy Lockwood, Molly Jones, Del Mixon, Anne Warren, Elizabeth Clark, Laurin Byars, Marcie Pagel, Pat Pagel, Charles Harper, Parthenia Harper, Erika Castillo, Angelica Carriero, Claire McGlynn, Zach Manriquez, Alika Ray, Maggie Garza, Josh Farrell, Candace Hughes, Ilissa Hendricks, Ernest Morales, Eva Nava, Noemi Magallanes, Wendy Magallanes, Chris Magallanes, Carol Jackson, Brian Hannah, Roger Freidline, Alice Freidline, and Jim Severson.

Now go read about all the winners, and we'll see you next year.

Peja Krstic accepts the award for Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year for Mot Hai Ba.

Peja Krstic, mot hai ba, Tastemaker Awards Dallas 2019

Photo by Ashley Gongora

Peja Krstic accepts the award for Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year for Mot Hai Ba.

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Park news

Dallas civic leader Calvert Collins-Bratton named Klyde Warren Park CEO

Calvert Collins-Bratton

Photo courtesy of Klyde Warren Park

Calvert Collins-Bratton has been named the new executive director of Klyde Warren Park.

A respected figure in Dallas philanthropy and parks is stepping into a new leadership role: Calvert Collins-Bratton has been named the next president and CEO of Klyde Warren Park, beginning September 1.

Collins-Bratton succeeds Kit Sawers, who led the park for eight years; her final day in the role was July 20.

The transition comes as Klyde Warren enters its next phase, including a recently announced expansion that will add 1.7 acres over Woodall Rodgers Freeway.

Collins-Bratton most recently served as chief relationships officer at Communities Foundation of Texas, where she oversaw fundraising, donor engagement, corporate philanthropy, and community partnerships, a press release notes. Her ties to Klyde Warren Park stretch back more than a decade through her service as chair of the Dallas Park and Recreation Board, where she advocated for investments in public spaces. She's also been a longtime donor and supporter of the park.

"Few people understand the significance and potential of Klyde Warren Park as deeply as Calvert does," foundation board chairman Jody Grant says in the release. "She has been an advocate for public spaces throughout Dallas, a trusted philanthropic leader, and a longtime supporter of the Park. Her experience and expertise make her exceptionally qualified to lead Klyde Warren Park into the future."

Klyde Warren Park has recently announced an ambitious expansion project. Photo courtesy of Klyde Warren Park

Before joining Communities Foundation of Texas, Collins-Bratton was vice president of communications and strategic events for Methodist Health System Foundation. Earlier in her career, she spent more than a decade as a television reporter and anchor in Omaha, Las Vegas, and Dallas-Fort Worth.

She was selected following a national search led by former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, a member of the Klyde Warren Park Foundation board.

As president and CEO, Collins-Bratton will oversee the park's operations, programming, fundraising, strategic partnerships, and long-term vision as the 5.4-acre deck park continues to grow.

"Klyde Warren Park is one of Dallas' great success stories and one of the most beloved gathering places in our city," Collins-Bratton says. "I look forward to working with the Foundation's board, staff, donors, partners, and community supporters to build on its incredible momentum and ensure its impact continues to grow for generations to come."

In a separate, farewell note, Sawers announced she'll become CEO of the newly created SMU Dallas Office on August 3. She called leading Klyde Warren Park one of the greatest privileges of her career.

"I leave knowing the Park is exceptionally well positioned for the future. It has a talented and dedicated team, an engaged Board, strong community support and exciting opportunities ahead, including a 1.7-acre expansion," Sawers wrote. "The overwhelming response to this summer’s World Cup watch parties once again demonstrated the Park’s unique ability to bring our community together."

Since opening in 2012, Klyde Warren Park has become one of Dallas' signature public spaces, drawing more than 2 million visitors annually with free concerts, fitness classes, festivals, food trucks, and other community programming, they say. The park recently unveiled plans for a $175 million expansion that will nearly double its event lawn and add new green space, play areas, and pedestrian connections.

Collins-Bratton's appointment comes on the heels of another key Dallas leadership announcement: That of Ahava Silkey-Jones as executive director of the Dallas Arts District.

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