On March 4th, the dynamic ladies of the Dallas Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier host their annual raiser grazer and silent auction at Union Station from 5pm-8pm, with this year’s theme being “Dames In The City.” Les Dames is truly a one-of-a-kind organization, dedicated to supporting and promoting the achievements of women in the culinary profession. The Dallas chapter, which started in 1985, is filled with some of the finest women in the city whose passion for the food, wine and hospitality professions shines from deep within, including Grande Dame Caroline Rose Hunt, Janet Cobb, Janice Provost, Courtney Luscher, Rachel Gaffney, Sharon Hage, Kathryn Hall, Gina Puente and so many, many more. In celebration of Julia Child and what would have been her 100th birthday, the event will also feature a cake walk in her honor. Their annual event raises funds for their many endowment, scholarship and grant programs focused on helping women interested in food, wine and hospitality professions. Tickets are available here.
Last night, Côtes du Coeur hosted their Chef Announcement party for the 2012 Cotes du Coeur International Fine Wine Auction and Celebrity Chef Dinner. Unfortunately, Chef Richard Chamberlain, Côtes du Coeur Founding Chef, was absent due to being a bit under the weather, but some of his fellow heart health conscious pals attended, including Chefs Jim Severson, David Holben, David McMillan, Kevn Garvin and Anthony Bombaci. Other participating chefs for 2012 include Chefs Dean Fearing, Kent Rathbun, Bruno Davaillon, Scott Gottlich, and more embarking on this year’s theme, a voyage of the heart, to make the 2012 event the best of its 20+ years. 2012 Cotes du Coeur for The American Heart Association will take place on April 14th, 2012 at the Hilton Anatole. Tickets will be available shortly so check back often.
If you are in the mood to leave town, consider heading west to the picturesque Texas town of Buffalo Gap for their annual educational food and wine summit from April 20-22. Chef Stephan Pyles has been a partner at this event for years, as have Dallas’ Brenda and Clay Cockerell of Coquerel Family Wine Estates. The mission of the weekend is to cultivate the appreciation of fine wine and food through education and industry discussions. It is also a great opportunity to sip incredible wine from California, Texas, and Italy this year. Dive into hearty Texas cowboy-influenced cuisine at the Perini Ranch in Buffalo Gap.
Savor Dallas is just around the corner, holding their 8th annual event the last weekend of March. This year its International Grand Tasting heads to the new Irving Convention Center due to the ever- expanding size of the event. A silent auction will be held at the Grand Tasting, featuring large format wines, wine tours and luxury get-aways with proceeds benefiting the North Texas Food Bank. Tickets available here.
And, if you haven’t purchased your tickets for the May 6th Chefs For Farmers Mixin’ It Up on the Boulevard event at Lee Park, you should now! This is a great opportunity to taste delicious bites from some of the best in Dallas, get to know some of the local farmers in the area and help two great causes, Meals on Wheels, Inc. and Water for Chizavane.
Update – A few more opportunities just came to light (a.k.a. the press releases just hit my inbox.)
Though wine won’t be flowing at the North Texas Food Bank Empty Bowls event on March 9 at the Meyerson, the event is certainly a great opportunity to sip and slurp hearty bowls of delicious soup from area restaurants including Nick and Sam’s Grill, Bolsa, Hatie’s, Truluck’s and many, many more for a great cause. Empty Bowls benefiting The North Texas Food Bank has helped provide over 2.5 million meals since the event started in 1990. Tickets available here.
March 8th, World Kidney Day, Executive Chefs Scott Gottlich and William Koval will team for the second annual Bonne Santé, a food and wine showcase benefitting the National Kidney Foundation. The walk around stroll event will feature Chefs Abraham Salum, Bruno Davaillon, Samir Dhurandhar, Joel Harloff, and many more including a few out of town guests like Shawn McClain from Sage at ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas and Pascal Sanchez and Gianni Santin from TWIST by Pierre Gagnaire, also in Las Vegas. Each chef’s specialty dish will be matched with a perfect wine pairing. Tickets available here.
