Symphony of chefs

Charitable chefs orchestrate fundraising feast for Dallas nonprofit KidLinks

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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Hoops & Dreams

Dallas Mavericks Foundation nets record $2.1 million at 2025 Mavs Ball

Dallas Mavericks Foundation Mavs Ball 2025

Photo by Dallas Mavericks Photography

PJ Washington Jr. and Alisah Washington

In a Dallas Mavericks season that's been a wild ride for fans, the 2025 Mavs Ballwould be a bright spot on the calendar. Nothing, it seemed, could rain on the parade of the Dallas Mavericks Foundation's annual black-tie gala that raises millions for good causes in the community.

And then it actually down-poured.

The event took place at the new Silo music venue in the Design District on Sunday, March 2 - the night of a brief but torrential late-winter thunderstorm. Serendipitously, the dress code for the 10th annual Mavs Ball had been "Tuxedos & TENnies," and those who wore sneakers with their ballgowns and tuxes left relatively unscathed as they navigated puddles that had accumulated on the blue carpet outside the venue while they were inside having fun.

At least it had been dry and pleasant for the arrival of 700 guests and VIPs - including Mavericks stars, former players, coaches, and staff - who posed for photos and gave interviews on the blue carpet during a cocktail reception under a glass-top tent. New faces at the event this year included players Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall, Max Christie, Kessler Edwards, Caleb Martin, and new Mavs CEO Rick Welts. Also in attendance were Mavs head coach Jason Kidd, legend Shawn Marion, and fan-favorites Kyrie Irving, Dwight Powell, PJ Washington, Derek Lively II, and more.

Patrons sipped champagne, bid on silent auction items (heavy on autographed Mavs memorabilia, of course), and got the first fun chances to contribute to the Mavericks Foundation’s mission to uplift women, children, and families in need. A "Sneaker Pull," for example, allowed guests to purchase a mystery pair of shoes from a collection of game-worn, autographed, and player-edition sneakers.

At the appointed time, the crowd filled the Silo "ballroom," which had been bathed in blue light and filled with elegant blue and white-hued floral arrangements and towering candelabras. The evening's emcees, local award-winning sportscasters Dana Larson and Mark Followill, oversaw a high-energy program that began with player introductions befitting of a stadium. (And to address the elephant in the room, no, there was no mention at all of any player who'd recently exited the team.)

Lucky patrons at the big sponsor tables, including Shiftkey, AT&T, Lexus, Kroger, and Chime, got the chance to sit with favorite players during dinner. While the room nibbled on a multicourse meal of spinach-strawberry salad, pan-seared Chilean sea bass and filet mignon, and homemade shortcake or layered chocolate cake for dessert, wine stewards carrying full bottles of Kendall-Jackson never let glasses run dry.

New Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont thanked Dallas for the warm welcome he and his family had received in town. Mavs Foundation president Katie Edwards, Rick Welts, and Shawn Marion led a toast to 10 years of Mavs Balls and underscored the foundation's mission to provide grants to deserving local nonprofits: Agape Clinic, Child Poverty Action Lab, Equest, First Responders Children's Foundation, Genesis Women's Shelter, Girls Inc. Tarrant County, Girlstart, Hope Cottage, HopeKids, It's a Sensory World!, Jubilee Park and Community Center, Mosaic Family Services, Texas Advocacy Project, Texas Native Health, Viola's House, Wipe Out Kids Cancer, and YMCA Metropolitan Dallas.

After dinner, a rousing game of "Heads or Tails" offered one lucky winner the chance for a suite experience at an upcoming Mavericks game. But when it came down to the final two contestants, Kyrie Irving and a woman named "Kyla," the Mavs star kindly forfeited to give her the win. After all, his place during games is on the court. (Except, sadly, the next night he would suffer a season-compromising ACL tear.)

The live auction, led by auctioneer Dean McCurry, saw heated competition for experiences that got folks up-close-and-personal with the Mavs, including a meet-and-greet with Anthony Davis and the chance to play "Legos with Lively" (Derek Lively II, who is a self-proclaimed "king of Legos"), or "Kicks with Kyrie" bespoke sneaker package. Forget those $3,000 starting bids; these items were going for $20,000, $50,000, even $100,000.

When the final numbers had been tallied, the total hit a record $2.14 million, breezing past the goal of $2 million announced earlier in the night.

To celebrate, the crowd filled the dance floor and danced the night away to the music of Emerald City Band.

Photo by Dallas Mavericks Photography

PJ Washington Jr. and Alisah Washington

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