Put It All on Red

Dallas YPs hit the jackpot at glittering casino-themed CASAblanca party

As one of the first events of spring society season, not to mention an essential party for young professionals, CASAblanca is a guaranteed glamorous night of gambling (with fake money, of course), dancing, and donating.

As always, proceeds from this year's sold-out event benefit Dallas CASA, which helps recruit, train, and supervise community volunteers that serve as advocates for local children in foster care. With that in mind, hundreds of YPs arrived at The Hall on Dragon ready to throw down dollars as well as dice.

After posing for pics at the photo booth and in front of the step-and-repeat, guests could either get down to betting business or browse the sumptuous silent auction, all while sipping watermelon margaritas studded with smoking dry ice.

Chairs Anuka Dhakal, Brooke Donelson, and Melissa Wongbust led the crowd to bust a move on the dance floor, with The Special Edition Band providing a high-energy soundtrack all night long.

Spotted on the dance floor and at the tables were Keaton and Michelle Mai, Christina Stephenson, Mike Feather, Michael and Cristina Swartz, Melody and Maurice Tisbe, Christina Nelson, Taylor Pearson, Latisha Chaney, Nicole Streich, Emily Black, Daniel Lopez, Tara Mulvey, Lacey Spell, Carson and Lizzy May, Tyre Wilson, Juan Nevarez, Sandra Martinez, Stephanie Felton, Scott Nixon, Rowan Gilvie, Liv Murphy, Rylie Hoover, Jeff Hummel, Maddie Kress, Kenzie Radke, Lauren Goodson, Chase Davis, Jordan and Chandler Dinardo, Lindsay and Jarrod Williams, Chance and Christy Woodard, Careyann and Corey Thomas, and Madi Wheeler.

In between shouts of "Red!" and "Blackjack!," attendees enjoyed passed appetizers and a well-stocked bar. Chefs served up veggie fried rice in traditional Chinese take-out containers, before ending the evening with take-home fried chicken biscuits.

Extra-special guests gathered in the roped-off VIP area, sponsored by Megan and Tom Sterquell.

All those hard-won chips translated into raffle tickets for prizes, such as a mirror ball-decorated bottle of Veuve Clicquot and a gift basket custom-made for hard-core coffee lovers.

CASAblanca began as a way to raise awareness among young Dallas citizens of the critical role an advocate can play in the life of a child living in foster care. Dallas CASA Young Professionals is an outreach, volunteer, and fundraising arm for Dallas CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). The group is open to anyone ages 21 to 40 who wants to make a difference in the lives of abused children.

Photo by Ray Carlin

Carson May, Lizzy May

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Symphony of chefs

Charitable chefs orchestrate fundraising feast for Dallas nonprofit KidLinks

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Stuart and Lisa Sides, Laura and Bob Raymond

Dallas music therapy nonprofit KidLinks annually composes a foodie-fundraiser unlike any other: Symphony of Chefs sees an impressive ensemble of Dallas chefs prepare a multicourse meal, tableside, for guests.

The 15th annual edition took place at the new Astoria Event Venue on Monday, February 24 (smartly, as Monday is the least busy day of the week for restaurants).

The event was under the leadership of founding event chairs Bonnie and Nathan Shea, along with honorary chef chairs Janice Provost (chef-owner, Parigi) and Dan Landsberg (executive chef, The Texas Barn at Circle T Ranch), and event designer Hamilton A. Sneed (HAS Events).

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Stuart and Lisa Sides, Laura and Bob Raymond

The evening started with a cocktail reception featuring passed hors d’oeuvres prepared by James Ash of Harwood Hospitality Group and a luxe caviar bar hosted by Black River Caviar. Guests used their phones and tablets set up around the room to bid on silent auction items - restaurant and grocery store gift cards, beauty and wellness services, entertainment experiences, fine spirits, sports memorabilia (including a now-coveted autographed Luka Doncic Dallas Mavericks jersey), and more.

At the appointed time, the curtains to the dining room opened and 185 attendees sat down to a unique feast.

Seventeen Dallas chefs each prepared a four-course dinner, tableside, for the guests. In addition to Provost and Landsberg, they included:

Uno Immanivong, Chef & Owner of Red Stix Asian Street Food
Brendan Lee Davey, Executive Chef of Ellie's Lounge & Restaurant at Hall Arts Hotel
Giuliano Matarese of Miss Pasta
Estephan Fernandez, Executive Chef of Truluck's
Nikky Phinyawatana, Owner/CEO of Asian Mint Restaurant Group
Jennie Kelley and Brandon Moore, Co-Chefs & Owners of Fond
Aubrey Murphy, Executive Chef of SĒR Steak + Spirits
Miriam Jimenez, General Manager & Partner of Miriam Cocina Latina
Mollie Guerra, Owner of Chef Mollie G, LLC
Rodman Shields, Senior Culinary Director of Milkshake Concepts
Aaron Collins, Chef de Cuisine of Café Momentum
Carlos Ayala, Sous Chef of Nick & Sam's
Michael Matis, Chef de Cuisine of Fearing's
Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman, Executive Chef of José
Mario Hernandez, Executive Chef of NURI Steakhouse

Tables were set up next to cooking stations so attendees would watch "their" chefs prepare and plate dishes right in front of them. A live camera crew filmed the chefs and broadcast the action on big screens around the venue, turning the experience into a Food Network-type live cooking show.

Each course was thoughtfully paired with wine from one of the participating vineyards: Banfi Wines, Delicato Family Wines, Willamette Valley Vineyards, HALL Wines, Copper Cane Wines, Riboli Family Wines, Rootstock Wines, Times Ten Cellars, Sonoma Time, and Lewis Cellars.

A sample menu, from chef Matis of Fearing's, included Foie Gras Torchon paired with 2022 Lewis Cellars Sauvignon Blanc; Shrimp and Scallop Crudo with Coconut Passion Fruit Broth and Crispy Sweet Potato paired with 2022 Lewis Sonoma County Chardonnay; RC Ranch Wagyu Beef Bolognese on Gnocchi Pasta, House made Citrus Ricotta and Basil Crumbs paired with 2021 "Mason's" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, and much much more...

Following the dinner, featured pastry chef Yasmin Mondragon of Eataly Dallas served a dessert called "Terra," a hazelnut Bavarian with Pralinato filling covered in chocolate, chocolate cake, and pistachios.

In a program emceed by Sarah Blaskovich of The Dallas Morning News, Paul Pass, co-executive director (development) of KidLinks, underscored the organization's mission to provide healing and therapeutic music through a library of songs, in-hospital performances at special care centers, and board-certified music therapy sessions. "For over four decades, KidLinks has positively impacted more than 439,000 children and caregivers through direct service programs and thousands more through our online platforms," he said.

Temira and Jerry Wagner shared how music therapy sessions had impacted their son, Jerry Allen Wagner II, who was diagnosed at 9 months with a rare chromosome deletion. He is non-verbal, but music communicates to him, and thanks to several years of KidLinks therapy, he now communicates via beats by clapping along with the tempo, using some sign language, and can now wave a lot to say "Hi!".

Their touching remarks motivated the crowd to bid fast and furiously in a live auction for exclusive trips to Aspen, Eagle Nest, New Mexico, and the Thompson Hotel Dallas; as well as extraordinary culinary experiences like a Black River Caviar + Komos Tequila Masterclass and private dinners with several of the evening's featured chefs.

The organization says they are still working on tallying the final amount raised from the evening. All proceeds will go to KidLinks' mission of linking kids to health and healing through music and media.

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