Social Scene

Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond draws cheers and chuckles at first-ever CelebrityChef Luncheon

Photo by Haynsworth Photography
Photo by Haynsworth Photography
Photo by Haynsworth Photography
Photo by Haynsworth Photography

Chairwoman Alicia Wood hosted more than 200 ladies (and a handful of men) at Brook Hollow Golf Club for the first-ever Celebrity Chef Luncheon benefiting the Food Allergy Center at Children's Medical Center. The crowd gathered to laugh with Pioneer WomanRee Drummond, as she spoke about food, family and life on the ranch.

Wood thanked honorary chairs Nancy Dedman and Rachael and Robert Dedman Jr. before introducing Dr. Drew Bird, the clinical director of Children's Medical Center Food Allergy Center.

Bird shared the program's progress in the past year — including important additions such as food allergy camp, educational classes and peanut therapy — and credited Rachael Dedman for supporting Senate Bill 27, a guideline for public schools to follow regarding children with food allergies.

"More than 15 percent of allergic reactions occur for the first time in school," he said, which caught the attention of all the mothers in the crowd.

After a lovely lunch inspired by the Pioneer Woman — big steak salad, buttery rosemary rolls and pots de creme — Drummond took the stage and gave a shout-out to her University of Southern California Pi Beta Phi sisters, Lisa Ogle and Teffy Jacobs.

After confessing that she was "super nervous," Drummond started her presentation, which began with the day she was born. Contrary to what you might think, it was anything but boring — and only something that Drummond could pull off.

"The good thing about this being the inaugural Celebrity Chef Luncheon is that you have no one to compare me to," she said, capturing the attention and affection of guests such as Lynn McBee, Robyn Conlon, Aileen Pratt, Kim Miller, Paige Slates, Alison Farrow, Jan Pickens and Cara Gravely.

She peppered her speech with many more memorable lines as she described her husband and his influence on her novel, Black Heels to Tractor Wheels — A Love Story, as well as her exciting and nerve-racking appearances on shows such as Good Morning America, Today Show, The View and Throwdown with Bobby Flay before eventually landing her own gig on the Food Network.

If guests weren't acquainted with the Pioneer Woman prior to their arrival, they certainly walked out fans, with their newly purchased books — Food From My Frontierand Charlie and the Christmas Kitty — in hand.

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Night at the museum

Perot Museum gala-goers with a taste for adventure raise $2 million

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Shannon Murray, Chris Nolan, Kylie Capps and Chris Shurtleff

On a balmy Saturday night in November, the doors to Dallas' Perot Museum of Nature and Science closed to the public and reopened for nearly 1,000 chic party-goers. They dined, danced, and played with the exhibits to raise funds at 2024 Night at the Museum Gala.

Led by co-chairs Dr. Pamela J. Okada and Mark Okada, the crowd of "after-hours scientists" raised $2 million to support the museum’s educational programs and expand STEM learning opportunities across North Texas.

Perot Museum, Night at the Museum Gala 2024

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Shannon Murray, Chris Nolan, Kylie Capps and Chris Shurtleff

The event, designed by Valdivia Ventures, included live music, a captivating performance by dancers of Texas Ballet Theater, and innovative food activations by Wolfgang Puck Catering (the flaky, piping hot truffle pot pies that gala guests always look forward to).

As patrons explored the museum, they were greeted by hundreds of white orchids from Jackson Durham Events and were serenaded in exhibit hall by musicians provided by Jordan Khan Music Company.

A highlight of the evening was the "10-Minute Tasting Restaurant," an adventurous pop-up type experience that transformed the Museum Store into a five-star dining experience. Of course there were cocktails, too, and the lychee martini was a fan-favorite.

The evening concluded with a high-energy after-party on the lower level of the museum, presented by the Eugene McDermott Foundation. Guests danced the night away to beats by DJ Romi Q, struck a pose at the interactive photo booth, and ended the night at a decadent dessert room featuring a variety of sweet treats.

Funds raised from Night at the Museum will support educational programs, fund day-to-day operations, and provide financial aid to ensure the museum remains a welcoming and inclusive space for all.

Spotted in the crowd, enjoying the night, were Shannon Murray, Chris Nolan, Kylie Capps, Chris Shurtleff, Tim Peck, Missy Rogers Peck, Tori Mulford, Linda Silver, Emory McKim, Shelby Wagner, Niven Morgan, Santiago Jorba, Catalina Gonzalez, Regen Horchow, Ken Hersh, Dennis Cail, Annika Cail, Grace Cook, Caleb Stearns Wiley, Sarah-Michelle Stearns Wiley, Jason Valdivia, Katherine Stenesen, Chantel Boudreaux, Jeffrey Bragalone, Lexi Dennis, Mickie Bragalone, John Spradling, Miriam Spradling, KC Hurst, Koli Hurst, Magda Veja, Ashley Chellgren, Maria Zajia, Geraldine Parker, Meredith Abbott, and many more patrons and supporters.

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