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

Andrew Ludwig, Jake Henning, Haily Gest, Mason and Maddie Hornick

history in the making

Taylor Sheridan to be honored with legendary Texas award in 2027

1923 Las Vegas Premiere Screening & After Party Taylor Sheridan

Photo by David Becker/Getty Images for Paramount+

Taylor Sheridan is a 2027 recipient of the History-Making Texan Award.

Trailblazing North Texas producer, director, and screenwriter Taylor Sheridan will add a new award to his shelf in 2027. Sheridan has been named one of two recipients of the History-Making Texan Award, which the Texas State History Museum Foundation (TSHMF) will present in Austin in spring 2027.

Since 2005, the organization has honored "living Texas legends whose contributions to the state and the nation have been truly historic and exceptional in scope and nature." Past galas have recognized prominent Texas figures such as former presidents George H.W. and George W. Bush and former first ladies Barbara and Laura Bush, as well as H-E-B chairman Charles Butt, singer-songwriter and accordionist Leonardo “Flaco” Jimenéz, among others.

Joining Sheridan as the other 2027 honoree is Texas Historical Commission chairman, businessman, and philanthropist John L. Nau, III. The 2027 gala will be held at the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin on March 2, Texas Independence Day.

"Our honorees are national leaders whose accomplishments have elevated Texas’ distinctive place on the national and international stage," said Debbie Raynor, Dinner Chair and TSHMF Trustee, in a relase. "John L. Nau, III and Taylor Sheridan have each, in very different ways, helped tell the Texas story — one through the preservation of our history and treasured places, the other through the power of storytelling that has brought Texas and the American West to audiences around the world."

Quadruple-threat filmmaker Sheridan is most widely recognized for his award-winning neo-Western TV series Yellowstone and its associated spin-offs 1883, 1923, Marshals, and Dutton Ranch. Raynor hailed Sheridan for his success in bringing a "remarkable new dimension to the way the world sees Texas and the American West."

"As a creator, writer, director, and executive producer of some of television’s most successful series, he has captured the imagination of audiences across the globe while bringing the people, landscapes, traditions and enduring spirit of the West into millions of homes," she said. "And he does more than tell the Texas story — he lives it, as a native Texan, accomplished horseman and steward of two legendary Texas ranches."

Nau is the former chairman and CEO of Silver Eagle Beverages, one of the largest Anheuser-Busch distributors in the U.S. Raynor said Nau's "commitment to preservation" extends further than his protection of Texas historic sites "to the stewardship and conservation of the land itself, including his bay area lodge in south Texas and his ranch in west Texas."

"[Nau's] leadership and lifelong dedication to history have earned him national recognition, but perhaps his greatest legacy is his determination to ensure that the stories and places that shaped Texas endure for generations to come," Raynor said.

A release estimates about 450 "business, political, and community leaders" attend the Texas Independence Day Dinner each year, and proceeds will benefit the Bullock Museum's educational programs and special projects.

The 2027 Texas Independence Day Dinner will take place March 2, 2027, at the Bullock Museum in Austin. A VIP reception will start at 6:30 pm, followed by a 7 pm reception, and 7:30 dinner and program.

Taylor Sheridan is gifting his creative archive to Texas State University.

Photo by David Becker/Getty Images for Paramount+

Taylor Sheridan is a 2027 recipient of the History-Making Texan Award.

taylor sheridan galas awards ceremony texas texas historical commission bullock museum yellowstone awards