When Chef Stephan Pyles comes on board for a project, he goes overboard in the effort. He had already signed up to be the honorary chef for the North Texas Food Bank‘s 5th Annual Harvest on Friday, September 21, as well as masterminding the VIP gathering the night of the fundraiser.
But on Tuesday, June 12, he hosted the fundraiser’s kick-off party at his Flora Cafe. The invitation-only crowd included folks like Jen O’Neal, Mark Knowles, Katherine Reeves, Susan and John Farris with daughter Lora Farris, Kindred Roach and Brett Gray, Janie and David Condon, Gina and Scott Gotlich, Terra Najork, Capera Ryan, Rosser Newton, Lynn McBee, Sara Stroud, Lindsay and Chuck Jacaman, Alison Pearl and Cindy Stager. Here’s a report from the field:
Co-Chairs Maggie Kipp and Melinda Knowles unveiled exciting updates for the 5th annual Harvest benefiting the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) at a kick-off party hosted by celebrated chef and honorary chair Stephan Pyles at his Flora Street Café on Tuesday, June 12.
Upon arrival, the more than 100 host committee members and supporters mingled and enjoyed wine and delicious bites in the restaurant’s private dining room. At the appointed time, the co-chairs gathered the crowd to welcome everyone and thank them for their support of this year’s Harvest, which will be held on Friday, September 21, at a new venue, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden.
Maggie took a few moments to recognize honorary chair Stephan Pyles, North Texas Food Bank president and CEO Trisha Cunningham and advisors and event Co-Founders Nancy Gopez and Kristi Bare. She then shared some additional details about this year’s fundraiser, which will include cocktails, entertainment by DJ Lucy Wrubel, unique auction packages, and delicious food donated and prepared by Dallas’ top chefs and restaurants, including: City Hall Bistro, The French Room, The Meat Shop – featuring Rosewood Ranches Wagyu Beef, Mozzarella Company, Empire Baking Company, Haute Sweets Patisserie, Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Luck At Trinity Groves, The Gaylord Texan, Stocks and Bondy, Ocean Prime, Parigi, Tartalicious, Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck, Pop Star, Sixty Vines, Le Bibloquet, Up On Knox and Uchi and Uchibā.
She also announced that sponsors at the Silver level and up can enjoy early entry to begin sampling the chef stations, in addition to access to the Arboretum’s Alex Camp House for specialty cocktails and, just confirmed, an exclusive chef station by chef Stephan Pyles.
Melinda then introduced Stephan by sharing Stephan’s many culinary accolades, and his commitment to the community, including his 30-year partnership with the North Texas Food Bank.
Chef Pyles followed to echo his gratitude to all for their attendance, including fellow chef/restaurateurs in the crowd, Gina and Scott Gottlich of 18th and Vine, and to encourage attendees to support Harvest on September 21. He shared how honored he was to serve as this year’s honorary chair, as well as announced his participation with a chef’s station during the VIP party for Silver sponsors and above.
Trisha closed by raising her glass in gratitude to Chef Pyles, Maggie and Melinda, host committee members and sponsors for ensuring the 5th annual event will be the most successful to date and most importantly help meet the needs of more than 800,000 food insecure individuals in the Dallas community.
She also recognized the underwriters who have already committed for a total of $80,750:
- Platinum ($10,000) – Indian American Council and Megan and Casey McManemin;
- Gold ($5,000) – Akin Gump, Condon Tobin Sladek Thornton(CTST)/Janie and David Condon/ Melinda and Mark Knowles, 4Change Energy, Pollock, Rosser Newton/Petro Capital Group, The Rosewood Corporation, and ShiftSmart;
- Silver ($2,500) – Casey Attar, The Boston Consulting Group, The CFO Group, Katherine and Eric Reeves and Talent Suite;
- Bronze ($1,000) – Bray Family Trust/Stephanie Bray, Kimberly Elting and Stewart Cohen and Michael Trombello;
- Harvest ($500) –Joseph Gavigan, Brett Gray and Kindred Roach and Colby Hanks;
- Media sponsors – PaperCity and MySweetCharity.
Sponsorships begin at $500 and individual tickets are $200 each and are available now, ntfb.org/harvest. Or for more information, contact Colbi White at 214.269.0905 or [email protected].
* Photo credit: Tamytha Cameron Smith **Graphic provided by Harvest