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    Filling Philanthropy

    Soup's On! dishes out good eats and great works at inspirational 5th annual luncheon

    Rachael Abrams
    Feb 1, 2013 | 9:09 am

    Cloudy skies and light rain made it the perfect day for the fifth annual Stewpot Alliance Soup's On! Luncheon at Omni Dallas, because guests would soon warm up with gourmet soup. Upon entrance, the smell of savory goodness wafted through the hotel, taunting taste buds for the upcoming meal.

    Before sitting down, guests admired and purchased artwork made by artists in The Stewpot Art Program. When the clock struck 12, they made their way to the ballroom, where the Booker T. Washington High School Wind Symphony and Varsity Choir performed inspiring songs such as "America the Beautiful," "Man in the Mirror" and "Love Can Build a Bridge."

    Master of ceremonies Steve Blow, who volunteers at The Stewpot, reminded guests of 508 Park Avenue, the Stewpot's resource program to bring people together via education, music and art. After a brief introduction and many thanks to luncheon chairs Trish Weigand and Kay Lunceford and honorary chairs Joan and Elvis Mason, the soup was served.

    Designated chef chairman Brian C. Luscher of The Grape rounded up 13 top local chefs to re-create their signature soups and share the recipes with attendees:

    • Randall Copeland of Restaurant Ava
    • Bruno Davaillon of Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek
    • Omar Flores of Driftwood
    • Keith Hanks of Capital Grille
    • Abraham Salum and Al Havens of Salum
    • Jason Maddy of Oak
    • Danyele McPherson of The Grape
    • Chad Kelley of Cafe Pacific
    • Janice Provost of Parigi
    • Anastasia Quiñones of Komali
    • Nathan Tate of Boulevardier
    • Jason Weaver of Omni Dallas

    Luscher thanked all of the chefs and commended all of the supporters who helped The Stewpot reach the milestone of serving its 5 millionth meal last July. Then keynote speaker Wes Moore — author, United States Army veteran, Rhodes Scholar and John Hopkins University alum — took center stage.

    Moore, a self-made man, walked right past the podium and into the spotlight, in front of the hundreds of guests. He spoke of the experiences that led him to write The Other Wes Moore, sharing the struggles he encountered during his childhood living in a rough neighborhood in Baltimore and the turning point that enabled him to change his destiny.

    "What changed was being surrounded by people who showed me that the world was bigger than what was in front of me," Moore said.

    After a motivating and heart-wrenching speech, the whole audience — including Mickie and Mayor Mike Rawlings, Lane Evans, Jane Evans, Monica Smith, Sarah Nelson, Lisa Pearrow, Robyn Conlon, Beth Conlon, Courtney Luscher, Patti Jones, and Jana Rentzel — stood in applause.

    In addition to the stack of recipe cards from participating chefs, guests walked away with soup bowls painted by kids in The Stewpot's Saturday School program and a special coin created by local sculptor Brad Oldham.

    The annual Soups On! Luncheon supports The Stewpot Alliance, which spreads awareness about the Stewpot — the largest provider for meals at The Bridge, Dallas' homeless assistance center — and its impactful programs.

    Gretchen Gerlach, Wes Moore, Kay Lunceford, Trish Weigand
      
    Photo by Rob Wythe
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    Symphony of chefs

    Charitable chefs orchestrate fundraising feast for Dallas nonprofit KidLinks

    Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Mar 14, 2025 | 2:40 pm
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    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).

    KidLinks Symphony of Chefs 2025
      

    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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