Foodie fete

Symphony of Chefs 2026 serves up big night for KidLinks in Dallas

WHAT: 2026 Symphony of Chefs benefiting KidLinks

WHERE: Astoria Event Venue

THE 411: More than 220 guests gathered Monday, February 23 for the 16th annual food-focused fundraiser benefiting KidLinks, the nonprofit that provides healing experiences for children through music therapy and media. The evening was chaired by Lisa Sides and Eric Peters, with honorary chef chairs Jennie Kelley and Brandon Moore of Fond.

The evening began with cocktails, wine, and hors d’oeuvres by Sezer Deniz of CBD Provisions, while DJ Yojina kept the energy high-tempo. Guests got the first chance to bid on travel, dining, and luxury items in a silent auction.

When the ballroom doors opened, attendees sat for the event’s signature four-course, wine-paired dinner prepared tableside by notable Dallas chefs from kitchens including Café Momentum, Terra at Eataly Dallas, Nick & Sam’s Steakhouse, Fearing’s Restaurant, Meridian, Parigi, and Dolce Riviera.

Emcee Sarah Blaskovich led the program, which included remarks from KidLinks executive director Emily Perry and a tribute by founder Jim Newton honoring Grammy-nominated songwriter Paul G. Hill for his longtime support of children with special challenges.

Following dessert by Rose de la Rosa of Wolfgang Puck Catering, auctioneer Morgan Hopson led a competitive auction and spirited paddle raise, pushing the night’s fundraising total past $175,000 to support KidLinks’ music therapy programs for children and families.

WHO: Kate Colwill, Josh Bailey, Steven Loh, Hannah Fredette, Jon and Sara Platt, Andrew and Natalie Imil, Samantha and Brent Kirby, Andrew Ludwig, Jake Henning, Haily Gest, Mason, Maddie Hornick, Chrissy and Kevin Crews, Claire Benson, Andrew Leyendecker, Greg and Jamie Lyons, Lindsey and Ryan Craig, Jennifer and Jeff Wheatley, Adam and Aimee Hall, Nick and Cristina Niver, Nyiala Harris, Hamilton A Sneed, De'Erica Blakely, Sam and Stephanie Stoutner, Jamie and Elliot Gerson, and hundreds more patrons and supporters.

PARTICIPATING CHEFS: Justin Box, chef, Chef Justin Box; Aaron Collins, chef de cuisine, Café Momentum; Eric Dreyer, vice president of culinary operations, Freestone Lake and Golf Club; Marco Fortina, head chef, Terra at Eataly Dallas; Mollie Guerra, owner, Chef Mollie G, LLC; John Kleifgen, executive chef, Nick & Sam’s Steakhouse; Peja Krstić, chef and proprietor, Mot Hai Ba; Dan Landsberg, executive chef, The Texas Barn at Circle T Ranch; Giuliano Matarese, chef entrepreneur, Miss Pasta; Michael Matis, chef de cuisine, and Alex Morales, sous chef, Fearing’s Restaurant; Belal Kattan, chef and owner, Bazaar; honorary chef chairs Jennie Kelley and Brandon Moore, chefs and co-owners, Fond; Aubrey Murphy, executive chef, SĒR Steak+ Spirits; Franchesca Nor, chef and owner, Dive Coastal Cuisine; Eduardo Osario, executive chef, Meridian; Nikky Phinyawatana, owner and CEO, Asian Mint Restaurant Group and CHEFNIKKY.COM; Janice Provost, chef and owner, Parigi; Julian Rodarte, culinary director, Dee Lincoln Prime; Rodman Shields, senior director of culinary, Milkshake Concepts; Aaron Valimont, executive chef, Dolce Riviera; and Manny Vera, corporate chef partner, Truluck’s.

Several of the chefs have been nominated for 2026 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards and will display their culinary prowess at the awards ceremony and tasting event, back at Astoria Event Venue, on May 7.

Photo by Tamytha Cameron and Kelly Alexander

Greg and Jamie Lyons and Lindsey and Ryan Craig

Park news

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

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.

executives parks klyde warren park