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Bits And Bites To Feature 30 Area Chefs And Honor The Late Jim White At A Tasteful Place
By Jeanne Prejean Leave a Comment
As challenging as the three years of COVID surviving was, for many it was a walk-in-the-park compared to others like the North Texas restaurateurs. For ages, the area has spawned an amazing range of eateries and talents. Whether it was mom-and-pop startups or established stars of the foodie universe, North Texans are never wanting.
That is, until COVID hit and gut-punched the industry. For some restaurateurs, it was pivoting to curbside and delivery programs delivering everything from gourmet dinners to ‘ritas and chips at your front door.
Even with the adjustments, there were victims like the behind-the-scenes crews including busboys, kitchen workers, dishwashers, etc., who had to be let go.
With pandemic restrictions being practically nil now, North Texans are hungry to get back into the sitting down to a meal or drink at their old favorite and new kid-on-the-block restaurants. One of the challenges meeting restaurateurs is rebuilding their staffs.
To provide that work force of talent, Dallas College is holding its annual Bits and Bites on Sunday, April 16, at the Arboretum’s “A Tasteful Place.”

From 6 to 8 p.m., the following 30 chefs will have stations for tastings: Fernando Lezama (3F Premier Catering), Fernando Cardona-Heredia (Asador at Renaissance Hotel Dallas), Nikky Phinyawatana (Asian Mint), Chris Patrick (Bright Box Foods), Meaders Ozarow (Empire Baking Co.), Paula Lambert (Dallas Mozzarella Company), Hugh Stewart (Fork and Glass Catering), Luke Rogers (Beckley 1115), Andrew Ramsey (Profound Farms), Segundo Victorica (Dallas College), Sean Jett (Humble: Simply Good Pies), John Tesar (Knife Dallas), Dunia Terselich-Borga (La Duni Baking Studio), Adam West (Local Yocal BBQ and Grill), Misti Norris (Petra and the Beast), Abraham Salum (Salum Restaurant), Justin Box (Self), Sandra Sepulveda (Mesquite High School), Pete O’Donnell (The! Dallas Culinary Company), Marcus Moehler (MRM Food Services), Jimmy Contreras (Taco y Vino), Robert Hale (Texas Beef Council), Jordan Swim (Vestals Catering), Preston Nguyen (World Food Champion and Next Level Chef competitor), Josh Healy (Zolis/Cane Rosso/Thunderbird Pies), Jason Blackwell (Chef’s Knife Catering), Jacob Burden (Omni Dallas Hotel) and Jim Knifong (Dallas College).
And, of course, there will wine pairings and cool jazz music by Sierra Leone.
This year’s event will honor the late Jim White, who co-founded the Savor Dallas Food and Wine Festival and is well-remembered for his KRLD program that served up news and information to the delight of foodies.
While general admission tickets are going for $85, VIP tickets are going for $250 with perks like VIP parking, access to the VIP area featuring an elevated, 4-course small-plate experience by local chefs and VIP advanced entry at 5:30 pm.
* Graphic courtesy of Bits and Bites
MySweetCharity Photo Gallery Alert: 2023 Spirit Of Generations Luncheon
By Jeanne Prejean Leave a Comment
When it comes to The Senior Source‘s annual Spirit Of Generations Luncheon, it’s never dull. But this year’s co-honorees Micki and former Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings were just ripe for some teasing at the Hilton Anatole on Thursday, March 9.



In addition to a tableside delivery of pizza to the Rawlings, there was a “Not Quite Saturday Night Live” skit anchored by KTCK The Ticket’s George Dunham and former “Dallas Morning News” columnist Robert Wilonsky, who ‘fessed up that when Mike was mayor, “he scared the hell out of us.”
But the Rawlings clan wasn’t about to just sit back and blow off the onstage antics. Son Gunnar Rawlings and Mike took their places at the anchor desk with Mike doing his impression of being a faux Dale Hansen.
In accepting the Spirit of Generations Award, Micki told the audience that it was “pretty much obvious that I married a ham… and gave birth to one, too.”


While the post including the presentation of The Molly H. Bogen Service Award to Any Step Community Services Founder/CEO Sydney Portilla-Diggs is being wrapped up, check out the fun and faces at MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.
Grovel Alert!: 2023 Room To Grow
By Jeanne Prejean Leave a Comment
With ten days still to go, 2023 Room To Grow Co-Chairs Sunie Solomon and Samantha Worley are counting on their manicured nails the number of tickets still remaining for the fifth annual Dec My Room North Texas Chapter fundraiser on Wednesday, April 5.

With the event taking place in NorthPark’s Neiman Marcus Courtyard, the ladies are in final negotiations with Mother Nature to do a repeat of this past weekend’s glorious weather for the day.
In addition to a seated luncheon, NorthPark Center’s Fashion and Lifestyle Ambassador Kimberly Schlegel Whitman and best-selling author/lifestyle expert Moll Anderson will share insights on the trends of the day and tomorrow.
BTW, since the limited number of individual tickets that were released this month are gone, it’s time to rally a group together for a table here. But hurry scurry.
SAWA Fashion Show Has A Clothes Drop-Off At Elements As Event Tickets Get Slim To None
By Jeanne Prejean Leave a Comment
While The Salvation Army of North Texas’s Doing the Most Good Luncheon team has just announced plans earlier this week about the November fundraiser, the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Dallas gals are nearing the final stage of their 2023 Fashion Show and Luncheon preparations.
SAWA Dallas President Jennifer Dix and Fashion Show Chair Kim Quinn are right on schedule having announced this year’s honorees — Margot Perot Service Awardee Michal Powell and Inaugural Legacy Awardee Jan Strimple — and Honorary Co-Chairs Lisa and Clay Cooley.



But now they’re balancing a couple of challenges.
First, there’s collecting the clothes that will be on the runway and in the Chic Boutique on Tuesday, May 16. So far the racks are filling into overload status. But for Jennifer and Kim, too many clothes just aren’t enough for their fashion extravaganza of runway action and shopping.
To help the ladies with their search for clothes, this weekend might be a good time to “edit” your wardrobe and make way for this season’s newest looks.


But the question then arises, “Where do you take them?” No problemo. Jennifer and Kim and Elements Boutique’s Connie Siegel put their fashionable heads together and arranged to have a clothes collection at the Lovers Lane store on Wednesday, March 29, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. What a perfect opportunity to “pop in, drop off and shop!”

Second challenge, which any fundraiser would love to have, is tickets are going faster than planned. Jennifer and Kim dread the idea of having to turn away anyone because they waited too long. In other words, better get your table together pronto because the availability is getting as slim as a silk thread. Mail-in ticket forms are due Saturday, April 1.
P.S. — Remember patron status definitely has its perks, with this event including a Patron Party on Tuesday, May 2, and the Pre-Shop Chic Boutique on Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 6, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Six Nonprofits To Receive $90,000 As Dallas Service Forum’s Sold-Out “A Royal Affair” Nears
By Jeanne Prejean Leave a Comment

As Dallas Service Forum President Marla Nunally, A Royal Affair Luncheon Chair Kristin Parrino and their committee are getting ready for the organization’s sold-out fundraiser featuring Chef Darren McGrady, on Tuesday, March 28, at Northwood, they’re already getting thank you notes from their beneficiaries.
They’ve announced that $90,000 will benefit the following area non-profits: Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, Ebby House, Hope’s Door New Beginning Center, Juliette Fowler Communities, Ronald McDonald House of Dallas and The Family Place.
According to Marla, “As DSF celebrates 45 years of service to the community with our upcoming March 28 ‘Royal Affair’ fundraising luncheon, it is our pleasure to award these funds to our agency partners who are dedicated to improving the lives of others by delivering vital service to those in need. This financial support, in addition to the hundreds of volunteer hours provided by DSF, underscores the DSF mission of providing service and financial support to children, families and the elderly throughout the greater Dallas community.”
* Photo provided by Dallas Service Forum

Sold-Out Beacon Of Hope Luncheon Scored A Touchdown With Dak Prescott And Solomon Thomas
By Jeanne Prejean Leave a Comment
The organizers of the annual Beacon of Hope Luncheon were amazed at the turnout for the Grant Halliburton Foundation fundraiser at the Omni Dallas Hotel on Tuesday, March 7. As one staffer said, looking at the crowded reception in the Dallas Ballroom lobby, “This is what 700 filled seats look … Read More...

Broadway Legends Will Hit April Fundraising Stages With Moulin Rouge And Behind-The-Curtain Fundraisers
By Jeanne Prejean Leave a Comment
In the coming weeks, North Texas appears to have a couple of showstopping invasions by Broadway legends for area non-profits. Kicking off the month will be Broadway Dallas Gala 2023 on Saturday April 1, at Fair Park’s Music Hall. Co-chaired by Jolie Humphrey and Gail Plummer with Honorary … Read More...

Jersey Mike’s Subs’ “Day Of Giving” To Provide All March 29th Sales For Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer
By Jeanne Prejean Leave a Comment
Over the years the Jersey Mike’s Subs owners and operators across the country “have raised over $67 million for more than 200 different charities including hospitals, youth organizations, food banks and more.” And it all started in North Texas. As Jersey Mike’s President Hoyt Jones explained … Read More...

Soup’s On! Patron Party Was Wheeling Away At Haas Moto Museum With Trips Past And Planned
By Jeanne Prejean Leave a Comment
As guests arrived at the Haas Moto Museum on Wednesday, March 1, for The Stewpot Alliance's Soup's On! patron party, The Stewpot Executive Director Brenda Snitzer was looking forward to Friday, when she and her family were going on a cruise through the Panama Canal. To prepare for the voyage, her … Read More...

JUST IN: Doing The Most Good Is Doing Exactly That With A Couple of Lisas, Simmons and Emanuelsons
By Jeanne Prejean Leave a Comment
With these recent wool-friendly temperatures, it only makes sense to think about late fall activities. One of them is The Salvation Army of North Texas’ “Doing the Most Good Luncheon” that seems to kick off the holidays to come. So it’s no surprise that plans are already taking shape for the 2023 … Read More...

Turtle Creek Park Conservancy Patrons Were Hosted To A Spring Fling
By Jeanne Prejean Leave a Comment
As drivers rushed home along Turtle Creek Boulevard, Turtle Creek Park Conservancy patrons gathered at Arlington Hall for the Patrons Circle Spring Fling celebrating the beauty of Turtle Creek Park and as a thank-you for their support on Wednesday, March 1, sponsored by neighbor Belmont Village … Read More...