When Sheila and Jody Grant took on the project of creating a park over Woodall Rodgers freeway, many thought they had pushed the dream envelope. But dang it, they pulled it off. Now Klyde Warren Park is the year-round place to play, dine and celebrate the coming together of Dallas downtown and uptown neighborhoods.
But Sheila’s and Jody’s involvement did end with the ribbon cutting. They’re just as giddy today as they were on the opening night when Owen Wilson and Jackie Evancho were among the celebrants back on October 24, 2012.
As proof of this commitment, Sheila just reported that she’ll be flying in from the American Ballet Theater performance in the David H Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for the Friday, October 21, and Saturday, October 22, Park and Palate, the annual Klyde Warren Park fundraiser. This year’s two-day food-athon is being co-chairs Carolyn and Robert Walters along with Lyn and John Muse and title sponsors Republic National Distributing Corporation and Central Market.
Hopefully, Sheila has her ticket for Friday night’s “Down To The Roots” because it’s already sold out. However, tickets are still available for the 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. “Grand Taste” on Saturday.
Headlining the food fest will be locals Kent Rathbun, John Tesar and Dean Fearing as well as San Antonio’s Jason Dady.
As for the chefs who will be cooking up a storm on Friday night, they’ll include Bruce Auden of Biga on the Banks, Jill Bates of Fearing’s, Tyson Cole of uchi, Jason Dady of Jason Dady Restaurant Group, Robert Del Grande of Café Annie, Dean Fearing of Fearing’s, Michael Fojtasek of Olamaie, Sharon Hage of Sharon Hage Farm to Fork Consulting, Brian Johnson of Central Market, Molly McCook of Ellerbe Fine Foods, Kyle Nelson of Central Market, Michael Thomson of Michael’s Cuisine and Ancho Chile Bar, Julie Vorce of Savor Gastropub and Hugo Ortega of Backstreet Café, Hugo’s and Caracol.
And things only ramp up for Saturday with loads and loads of chef cooking up a storm including Jeff Balfour of Southerleigh, Melody Bishop of Lark on the Park, Richard Blankenship of CBD Provisions, Nilton Borges Jr. of The Joule Hotel, John Brand of Supper, Jermaine Brown of Julia Pearl Southern Cuisine, John Coleman of Savor Gastropub, Jason Dady of Jason Dady Restaurant Group, Ross Demers of On the Lamb, Brandon Drew of The Pyramid at the Fairmont Hotel, David Fingerman of Madrina, Omar Flores of Casa Rubia, Diego Galicia of Mixtli Progressive Mexican Culinaria, Nick Hurry of Proof and Pantry, Dennis Kelley of Lark on the Park, Brian Johnson of Central Market, Geronimo Lopez of Botika, Brian Luscher of Luscher’s Red Hots and The Grape, Rebecca Masson of Fluff Bake Bar, Andrea Meyer of Bisous Bisous Pâtisserie, Suki Otsuki of Mudhen Meat and Greens, Kent Rathbun, Timothy Rattray of The Granary ‘Cue and Brew, Justin Richardson of Brigid, Joe Scigliano of Savor Gastropub, Philip Speer of Bonhomie, Shuji Sugawara of Shinsei, John Tesar of Knife, Rico Torres of Mixtli Progressive Mexican Culinaria, Julie Vorce of Savor Gastropub, Andrew Wiseheart of Contigo and Chicon, Nicholas Yanes of Juniper and more.
P.S — Park and Palate is an adults-only event. But there will still be “lots of free, family-friendly activities on the East Lawn during Park and Palate, including fitness classes, games, food trucks, music and more!”