On the Dallas nonprofit circuit, there are certain people who could talk a vegetarian into buying a meat packing plant. Dean Fearing is one of ‘em.
Friday, September 12, he was in fine fiddle at the Ritz Carlton. No, he wasn’t just cheffing. He was at the TACA RBC Wealth Management Custom Auction preview party with his Co-Chair/NM Arbitror of Magnificent Taste Wanda Gierhart.
Wand and Dean are the perfect team. She’s elegant, understated and cool like champagne. He’s a little bit country, outgoing and as understated as an Aggie yell leader. The two had gathered the group to hint at the treasures they had collected for the Friday, September 26th black-tie auction.
Sipping a special Patron laced drink and sampling Dean’s fare like friend goat cheese pops, the crowd included Shelle and Michael Sills, Lisa and Bill Ogle, Kevin Hurst, Jeff Byron, Nick Even, Don and Barbara Daseke, Laree Hulshoff, Joey Wilkensen, Megan Bowdon, former TACA Chair Andy Teller and TACA Chair Nancy Carlson and husband Clint.
Then Dean with a longer hairstyle that he attributed to Wanda’s influence, kicked the announcements off with a trip to Mexico. He recalled years ago when he was working at the Mansion and he was told that a guest had just ordered a bottle of wine priced at more than $300. It turned out to be Sammy Hagar. The chef and rocker bonded over music and food. So when it came to an auction item at Cabo San Lucas, Sammy offered dinner at his fabulous estate overlooking the Pacific. Of course, Dean will prepare the meal. Perhaps Wanda will be the sommelier. Afterwards, Dean and Sammy will entertain the guests at Sammy’s Cabo Wabo. As for where to stay, the winning bidders will call the over-the-top, luxurious Capella Pedregal* home.
By the time Dean was finished with the description of the package, couples were already nudging each other on how high to bid.
Wanda admitted that she didn’t know how to top that. However, she did with two packages — an around-the-world with Rosewood and a Paris adventure ala Chanel.
Then Dean finished the preview with the annual Farm-to-Table package. What’s new about that? A lovely meal out in a pasture? Well, this one will be the teaming up of Dean and Stephan Pyles. The two chefs who gave birth to southwestern cuisine haven’t partnered up on a meal in 20 years. This meal should be historic and histrionic.
There are still more items that will be up for bid. They been posted on MySweetCharity in the past days and next few leading up to the black-tie auction.
If you were too late getting your reservation for the dinner/auction, see if you can get some buddy to bid for you.
* Since the preview party, Cabo San Lucas was hit by Hurricane Odile. Not to worry. The town, Capella Pedregal and Sammy are taking the opportunity to improve on the resort’s renowned perfection.