Rain couldn't dampen the spirits of hundreds of young Dallas professionals who braved the weather to attend BubblyQ, the annual affair hosted by Young Texans Against Cancer.
At Fearing's Restaurant in the Ritz-Carlton, the atmosphere was buoyant despite the less-than-desirable conditions. Even with last-minute adjustments — tents for the courtyard and some shuffling of chef stations — the celebrated event followed its tradition of raising funds for cancer research and support. This year's history-making total: $200,000, through ticket sales and a silent auction that always overflows with coveted items.
BubblyQ draws big-name chefs, who bring their A-game with sophisticated food samples. (This is the house that Dean Fearing built, after all.) Attendees visited tasting stations from the likes of Eric Dreyer (Fearing's), Stephan Pyles, James Johnson (Pappas Bros. Steakhouse), Brian Zenner (On Premise), and Abraham Salum (Salum, Komali), who dished out delectable small plates.
Central Market rounded out the tasty treats with a table overflowing with cheese and charcuterie. For dessert, adorably packaged macarons from Bisou Bisou and hot coffee from Ascension capped things off.
And as its name implies, BubblyQ is very much about champagne. Sparkling white and rosé flowed freely, accompanied by a variety of wines and Deep Ellum Brewing Co. beers. Eddie "Lucky" Campbell, owner of Parliament and the 2015 Tastemaker Award winner for best bartender, put his spin on a dangerously delicious Moscow Mule.
Young Texans Against Cancer is a nonprofit that focuses on raising funds for local research and support organizations, using its member base to increase awareness of volunteer organizations, and helping to educate the community on cancer research. Since inception in 2008, YTAC has donated $778,000 in support of the fight against cancer. In 2013, BubblyQ raised more than 60 percent of the total funds given to North Texas cancer causes.
Clay Pickering, Erin Pickering, Chris Baker, Austin Anderson, Kristen Huffman
