Chef Kent Rathbun has added still another item to his resume — philosopher. Wednesday night as the Lead Chef marshaled the Signature Chef’s “Angels & Aces” at the Frontiers of Flight Museum, he was asked about his non-stop schedule of activities. His response, “There’s a window, and it’s always closing. So you’ve got to get in an doubt of the window before it closes.”
And there were 20 of Dallas’ leading chefs and 40 wineries from the Napa Valley, who were probably thinking the same thing. This time of year the food and beverage industries are in overdrive donating time, money and services to help non profits like the evening’s March of Dimes.
For instance, Abraham Salum reported that the following Sunday he was headed to Balch Springs to prepare a dinner for 100 at one big communal table to raise funds for the farmers. In the meantime, he’s gotten his permits approved to move with his new restaurant that will be located right next door to his Salum.
Another person who has windows closing all around her is Ellen Winspear(pictured). The petite blonde may appear to all the world as the epitome of femininity, but step back and rethink that image. She’s not limited to one image. Wednesday night she was all revved up for the upcoming days ahead. Ellen admitted that she’d have a tear in her eye seeing Mike Modano playing in a Detroit uniform at the Stars game. Friday, she was headed to the Rangers’ game against the Yankees. Saturday, she would be back to the Stars. Sunday, she was having an October birthday brunch for the opera singers in town for Don Giovanni with Gretchen Rose catering.
But Wednesday night was to raise money for the March of Dimes and once again the Signature Chefs proved to be a hit across the boards. Unlike last year’s event at which the heat from all the cooking warmed up the Fairmont’s ballroom, Co-chairs Brynn and Taylor Allday and Sue and Britt Fair had seen to it that the Frontier of Flight Museum’s thermostat was set just right to accommodate the 550 guests on both the main floor and the upstairs landing.
While the big screens showing live interviews with various personalities and chefs, it was the first hand chats with the chefs and vintners that hit the spot. Marc Cassel (pictured) was treated like a rock star. Perhaps it’s his trademark goatee and sneakers that sets him apart from others.
Alas, the only place that seem sparse was the upstairs VIP Lounge where the Moet Chandon hostess admitted, “I’m all by my lonesome.” Little did she know that even the VIP’s were too busy in line getting food to lounge.