Klyde Warren Park just announced the newest addition to its signature events, Park & Palate, a celebration of wine and food showcasing the region’s most popular chefs, wineries, breweries, and spirits on September 25 and 26, 2015. This event will celebrate the best of Texas’ culinary scene while raising funds for the Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation, the 501(c)(3) that operates Klyde Warren Park. Klyde Warren Park offers a wide variety of programming and events year-round that are free and open to the public. More than two million Dallas residents and visitors have enjoyed programs ranging from fitness classes and kids activities to cultural experiences, which include opera simulcasts and symphony concerts.
“Klyde Warren Park is more than a beautiful green space in our urban core. It’s a mission to bring friends, family, and community together to create real and lasting memories,” said Jody Grant, chairman of Klyde Warren Park. “Few things bring people together like great food and wine, so we feel like Park & Palate is both on-mission and a great way to raise awareness and funds for the park.”
The weekend will kick off with Friday night’s signature event, Down to the Roots, where twelve of the best chefs from across Texas will go head-to-head to create comfort food with a modern twist. Attendees will try out imaginative creations from the competitors, all paired to perfection with beer, wine, or cocktails. Accompanied by the sound of the popular roots-rock group the Paul Thorn Band, the competition will be judged by a panel of experts, including Amanda Freitag, a frequent Food Network guest and judge on “Chopped.” The VIP Lounge in Savor Gastropub will include bites from renowned chef, restaurateur, and author Jonathan Waxman.
Chef Anastacia Quinnones
Down to the Roots participating chefs include Alma Alcocer of El Alma Restorante and Bar; Andrew Wisehart of Contigo and Gardner; Becky Masson of Fluff Bake Bar; Jason Dady of The Jason Dady Restaurant Group; Jeff Balfour of Southerleigh; Julio Peraza of Proof + Pantry and Madrina; John Tesar of Knife; Kent Rathbun of Kent Rathbun Concepts; Michael Fojtasek and Grae Nonas of Olamaie; Tiffany Derry of Tiffany Derry Concepts; Tre Wilcox of Tre Wilcox Cooking Concepts; and Tyson Cole of uchi and uchiko.
“We are so grateful for the support and collaboration of the culinary community in Dallas and beyond,” said Erika White, vice president of events and programs at Klyde Warren Park. “Everyone involved has a real talent and passion for what they do and a commitment to supporting the park. With those ingredients, we’re sure to cook up a truly fun and memorable weekend.”
The event will culminate in a Texas-sized Grand Tasting on Saturday, September 26 with more than 30 Texas chefs and 30 wineries along with an open bar featuring tastings of spirits, craft cocktails, and beers, plus book signings and live cooking demonstrations by guest chefs throughout the day. Chefs participating in the Grand Tasting include Anastacia Quinones of Kitchen LTO; Andrea Meyer of Bisous Bisous Pâtisserie; Andrea Shackelford of Harvest; Andrew Wisehart of Contigo and Gardner; Becky Masson of Fluff Bake Bar; Brian Luscher of Luscher’s Red Hots; Danyele McPherson of Remedy; Dennis Kelley and Melody Bishop of Lark on the Park; Diego Galicia and Rico Torres of Mixtli Progressive Mexican Culinaria; Graham Dodds of Hibiscus; Jason Dady of The Jason Dady Restaurant Group; Jeramie Robison of Shinsei; Jodi Elliott of Bribery Bakery; Joel Harrington of Bolsa; John Coleman and Joe Scigliano of Savor Gastropub; Julie Vorce of Pink Apron Pastry; Julio Peraza of Proof & Pantry and Madrina; Matt Orth of Lark on the Park; Meaders Ozarow (owner) of Empire Baking Company; Michael Martensen of Proof & Pantry and Madrina; Omar Flores of Casa Rubia; Paula Lambert of Mozzarrella Company; renowned pastry chef Philip Speer; Rich Rogers of Scardello Artisan Cheese; Richard Blankenship of CBD Provisions; Sarah Snow of The Grape; Stefan Bowers of Feast; Stephen Rogers and Allison Yoder of Gemma; Timothy Rattray of The Granary ‘Cue & Brew; Todd Duplechan of Lenoir; and more.
The event will be limited to guests 21 years and up, but Klyde Warren Park will offer free family friendly programming on the East Lawn to stay in line with their mission of providing entertainment for everyone in Dallas.
Tickets for Park & Palate will be available on Tuesday, July 14 at 9:00am at starting at $150 and vary in pricing for each day. Park & Palate will offer a limited number of tickets for an exclusive VIP experience, which includes a VIP lounge in Savor Gastropub with food by Jonathan Waxman, wine seminars, and mixology demonstrations, plus prime viewing of the main stage.
Park & Palate will take place at Klyde Warren Park, located at 2012 Woodall Rodgers Freeway in Dallas, Texas. For more information on the park, please visit their website.
Elite chefs, elite venue, elitist pricing. Main Street Garden downtown gets a taco festival. Klyde Warren Park uptown gets the foodie Oscars. But it’s OK, I’m sure you can still being your dog. Just make sure it’s wearing that diamond collar.