By Robert Peynaud
The main ballroom of the Hilton Anatole in Dallas was the setting for the 2013 Côtes du Coeur Gala on Saturday night. The gala is the high point of Côtes du Coeur , the American Heart Association’s, wine-centric event which raises funds for research aimed at eradicating heart disease.
The event features a live and silent auction and a sumptuous meal prepared by sixteen of Dallas’ best-known chefs. Each chef station is flanked by two associated wineries serving reserve-level wines. Scott Murray emceed the live auction at which attendees could bid on everything from a day in the kitchen with Bruno Davaillon at the Mansion, to a day as winemaker at beautiful Schweiger Vineyards on Spring Mountain in Napa, to a dinner prepared by Dan Landsberg of Dragonfly with Clive Coates, Master of Wine.
The evening had a “roaring 20’s” theme with musical entertainment chosen to match. Watch out for the total amount raised in the next few days. In the meantime, below are a few scenes from the event to give you a flavor of it.
Big Bottle Alley was a popular place to congregate before dinner. Lots in the silent auction can be seen on the left.
One of the more expensive lots in the silent auction was a half-case of 1990 Château Lafite. It should be pretty much at its peak when the winning bidder gets it home.
John Tesar (Spoon Bar & Kitchen), left and Bruno Davaillon (The Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek), right, confer before the meal.
A flight of J. Bookwalter Winery wines from 2013 Tête de Cuvée winner John Bookwalter in the silent auction.
Richard Chamberlain (Chamberlain’s Steak and Chop House and Chamberlain’s Fish market Grill) led the chef contingent and served from this mound of herb and slat roasted beef short loin.
