Burgers & Burgundy Announce 2019 Theme

Chef John Tesar | Photo Joseph Brewster

Burgers & Burgundy, presented by Celebrity Chef John Tesar and Terri Provencal, will take place at Klyde Warren Park on October 11, 2019. Twelve renowned chefs will convene at the events’ new venue to serve unique slider and wine pairings to patrons and guests.

I am excited about this year’s event because I love a theme! Event Chairs Christopher Baker and Robert Lee have chosen a Feather Fete theme, and all patrons are invited to incorporate feathers into their looks for the evening.

“As we head into the 30th year of House of DIFFA, we have challenged ourselves to offer our patrons the most thoughtful, over the top and FOMO-worthy experiences throughout the season, and Burgers & Burgundy will be just that,” says Baker and Lee. “We’re excited to host the event in a brand-new venue with a larger capacity to allow for even more patrons to attend the historically sold out event and continue to increase the amount of funds raised to serve those who are affected by HIV/AIDS across North Texas.”

The Shops at Willow Bend Launches The District

After years of planning and months of anticipation, The District, the chef-driven dining area at The Shops at Willow Bend celebrated its official opening at a ticketed fundraiser on October 5 raising more than $25,000 for the Junior League of Collin County. I was thrilled to emcee this Chefs Tasting Event and introduce each of the participating chefs and explain to attendees that they would spend 30 minutes at each venue to meet the chef, and sample craft cocktails and bites specially prepared for the event. The festive cocktail reception featured musical performances by the Georgia Bridgewater Orchestra, appetizers from California Pizza Kitchen and Terra Mediterranean, from brothers Jalal Chanaa and Adam Shanaa; bites from Knife, a steakhouse from James Beard-nominated chef and two-time Top Chef contestant John Tesar; Mexican Bar Co. Cocina from James Beard-featured chef Patricio Sandoval; and Whistle Britches, offering southern comfort food from James Beard Foundation-nominated Chef Omar Flores. The evening concluded with Australian-style coffee from Ascension Annex, desserts from Neiman Marcus Mariposa and a spectacular fireworks celebration. The event kicks off more than a month of activities celebrating The District.

10th Annual Burgers & Burgundy Benefitting DIFFA/Dallas Sizzled with Success

On Friday, October 5, celebrity chefs gathered at The Eye at The Joule for the tenth annual Burgers & Burgundy event hosted by The Joule Hotel, presented by Chef John Tesar & Terri Provencal, with hosts Bryan Loving, Jim Sheehan, and Southwest Lending, benefiting DIFFA/ Dallas (The Dallas Chapter of Design Industry Foundation Fighting AIDS). Guests mingled in front of the iconic Dallas landmark as they sipped on cocktails while listening to tunes by DJ Steffi Burns. Partygoers sampled a wide variety of mouthwatering burgers created by John Tesar (Knife, Knife Burger), Justin Brunson (Celebrity Chef, Old Major; Denver, CO), Tim Rattray (Celebrity Chef, The Granary; San Antonio, TX), Josh Smith (Moody’s Delicatessen; Boston, MA), Mat Urban (Commissary), Nick Walker(CBD Provisions), Bruno Davaillon (Bullion),Sharon Van Meter (Taco y Vino), Blaine Staniford (Grace), Mariel Street (Liberty Burger), Josh Sutcliff (Mirador), Coner Seargeant (Wheelhouse), and Rodman Shields (Common Table).

The Shops at Willow Bend to Debut New Restaurant District This Fall

Deep into a $125 million reimagining and renovation, The Shops at Willow Bend is destined to become the town center for Plano and North Dallas by adding unique dining experience, office, the Plano Children's Theater, an Equinox club, and one of just four Crayola Experience family entertainment centers in the U.S. A few weeks ago, I was among a lucky few that got to take a hard hat tour of the new food district and meet the chefs. Coming this fall are substantial new dining experiences including:

Chef John Tesar Announces Secret Spoon Pop-up Dinners

Chef John Tesar (photo: Kevin Marple)

On the heels of season 14's "Top Chef" cast announcement, Chef John Tesar announces a new project that will see the celebrated chef revive some of his favorite and most popular Spoon Bar & Restaurant seafood dishes at secret locations throughout Dallas.

The intimate dinners will be limited to 16 guests per night, with location and other details revealed the day prior to each event. The coveted dining experiences will take place on Oct. 28, Nov. 9, Nov. 14 and on Nov. 17 for a special John Tesar birthday dinner. Additional dinners will be announced throughout the holiday season. Each dinner is priced at $135 per person or $200 including wine pairings, gratuity not included.

"Seafood has always been one of my culinary passions, and I'm truly excited to offer these events as an opportunity to cook my guests some of their favorite seafood dishes, as well as mine, from Spoon," says Tesar. Spoon Bar & Kitchen, best known for offering high-quality, responsibly sourced seafood, closed its doors in 2014. Seating is limited with only 16 seats per dinner. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased at: http://www.prekindle.com/promo/id/24545708309603763.

Two Texas Chefs Prepare to Compete in Top Chef, Season 14

Bravo just revealed the eight chefs who will be back for redemption on the new season of the “Top Chef”. Dallas' Most Hated Chef John Tesar and Shinsei's former Executive Chef Casey Thompson are among the contestants giving us something to look forward to this holiday season! According to the Bravo release this season will be "the ultimate challenge of old blood versus new, on the Emmy and James Beard Award winning series, as the chefs head to Charleston to battle it out alongside eight talented “Top Chef” newcomers."

Bravo's show bio of Tesar describes him as a three-time James Beard "Best Southwest Chef" semifinalist and Top Chef season 10 contestant John Tesar is known for his stylish, modern American cuisine prepared with classic European techniques, innovative culinary perspective and no-nonsense personality. Always looking ahead for the next project, Tesar announced he is working with Flatiron Books and Macmillan on a book, Knife: Modern Steak and All American Meats, that will be published in spring 2017.

Thompson is a Texas native who made her professional start under celebrity chef Dean Fearing at Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, one of Texas' most historical fine dining restaurants. From there, she opened and became the Executive Chef at one of Dallas' most popular Asian restaurants, Shinsei. She currently works as the Executive Chef for the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe in the San Diego area and continues her private dining business in the Napa Valley.

2016 DIFFA/Dallas Style Council Ambassadors Announced at Burgers & Burgundy

Photos c/o of Shana Anderson and Joseph Brewster


On Friday, October 7, celebrity chefs from across the great state of Texas headed for the Ron Kirk Pedestrian Bridge for the eighth annual Burgers & Burgundy event hosted by Terri Provencal & Chef John Tesar benefiting DIFFA/ Dallas. Guests mingled on the bridge with the Dallas skyline as their backdrop as they sipped on cocktails and wine, listened to festive live music and sampled a wide variety of mouth-watering burgers created by John Tesar (Knife), Brian Luscher (Luscher’s Red Hots & The Grape), Jermaine Brown (Julia Pearl), Casey Thompson (Celebrity Chef), David Fingerman (Madrina), Sharon Van Meter (3015 at Trinity Groves), Blaine Staniford (Grace), Jacob Williamson (Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck), Rodman Shields (Common Table). Repel the Robot and The Please, Please Me, revved up the crowd with their upbeat songs, and attendees were entertained by local artists. The night also featured a silent auction of restaurant experiences, grills, and two designer dog houses, created by Gensler, this auction directly benefited DIFFA/Dallas.

Advice For The Real Housewives Of Dallas From Fellow Dallas Celebrities

Dallas is a virtual HOTBED for TV casting. Any major reality or competition show worth its salt makes a stop in Big D when looking to cast interesting or talented characters with big personalities. We've seen our citizens dominate and humiliate in shows like The Bachelor, Dancing With The Stars, Top Chef, Biggest Loser, The Voice, American Idol, Fast & Loud, Texas Women, Big Rich Texas, Most Eligible: Dallas and many more. Last fall Bravo announced that the Real Housewives of Dallas would be the latest addition to their juggernaut franchise and ever since then Dallas has been buzzing with guesses about who would be in the cast. Even I have been fingered as a possibility, which is oh so flattering! While the cast remains in debate, what I know for sure, is that these ladies have NO IDEA what's about to hit them smack upside the head. I've been covering reality TV and celebrity news in this town for a looooooong time and have become friends with many of the stars that make these shows fun to watch. So, I reached out to a few of them to ask, "What do you wish someone had told you before you started your reality/competition TV journey?" Here's some sage advice for the new cast of #RHOD from those who have been there before:

7th Annual Burgers & Burgundy benefitting DIFFA/Dallas Sizzles

Chef John Tesar and Honorary Chair Terri Provencal 

Celebrity Chef John Tesar hosted Burgers & Burgundy, benefitting DIFFA/Dallas (The Dallas Chapter of Design Industry Foundation Fighting AIDS) at the Gardens of the Seanor Estate on Friday, October 2, 2015. This year, Tesar kicked it up a notch by inviting some of his friends from cities across the U.S. including Los Angeles, Denver and Waltham, to cook with him at the event. Each nationally renowned chef was tasked with the challenge to serve up the best burger sliders and complement them with the burgundy of their choice. Some of the chefs participating in this year’s event were, John Tesar (Knife, Dallas) Blaine Staniford (Grace, Fort Worth) Matt McCallister (FT33, Dallas) Kevin Williamson (Ranch 616, Austin) Kris Morningstar (Terrine Restaurant, Los Angeles) Justin Bronson (Old Major, Denver) Tre Wilcox (Cooking Concepts by Tre Wilcox, Dallas) Joshua Smith (Moody’s Delicatessen & Provisions, Waltham, MA) Jason Campbell (Whole Foods, Dallas) Brian Luscher (The Grape, Dallas) Sharon Van Meter (3015 at Trinity Groves, Dallas) Samir Dhurandhar (Nick & Sam’s, Dallas). This year’s Event Chair, Olivia Zokai, was joined by long-time supporter and Honorary Chair Terri Provencal at this annual event.

Touch your mouse below to scroll through images from this event:

Photos by Rhi Lee

Knife gives a whole new meaning to "dinner and a movie" with a new Sunday Cinema Series

My parents used to love going to the drive-in movie. These days, our cinema choices are usually confined to big-box theaters. This summer Knife at The Highland Dallas seeks to bring the movies back outdoors and give guests an open-air experience of food and film with a new culinary-themed Sunday Cinema Series. The first screening will take place on Sunday, May 17 with a screening of "Chef" on the outdoor patio at the restaurant. The series will continue on Sundays of select months in 2015 and with the purchase of each ticket, guests will enjoy themed gourmet bites by renowned Chef John Tesar and craft beer from Four Corners Brewing Company. Prominent guest speakers from the film and food industries will also speak before each screening.

"Chef," the story of a celebrated Los Angeles chef who quits his job to launch a food truck, will be the first film shown in Sunday Cinema Series from 8-11 p.m. on May 17. Tickets to "Chef" will include mini cuban and grilled cheese sandwiches, popcorn and two Four Corners brews, to be enjoyed before and during the screening. Knife's celebrated cuisine and crafted beverages by barman James Slater will also be available for purchase.

Knife Chef Partner John Tesar and Lee Papert, president & C.E.O. of the Dallas Film Society and executive director of the Dallas International Film Festival, will speak prior to the film about its impact on the culinary and restaurant industries. Papert joined the Dallas Film Society in December of 2011 after more than 12 years as a non-profit executive at a variety of Dallas-based arts organizations. He has volunteered with various arts and education organizations throughout Dallas for more than 20 years and is a Dallas native. Papert is also a graduate of the Dallas Chamber's Leadership Dallas program and the Business Council for the Arts' Leadership Arts program.

Following "Chef," "Big Night" will be shown on June 28, "Jiro Dreams of Sushi" on Sept. 20, "Julie and Julia" on Oct. 25 and "Sideways" on Nov. 15. Tickets will be priced at $35 per person and are inclusive of gratuity. $10 of each ticket sold will benefit the Dallas Film Society in support of bringing film, filmmakers and film education to the Dallas area. For more information or to purchase tickets please call Knife at (214) 443-9339. Knife is located at The Highland Hotel, 5300 E. Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, TX. 75206.

Oh So Tasty: Brunch at Knife

Chef John Tesar recently launched brunch service at Knife, the critically acclaimed steakhouse located inside The Highland Dallas. The restaurant offers a wide variety of entrees and specialty brunch cocktails every Sunday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Recently nominated a third time as a James Beard Best Chef Southwest semifinalist, Tesar designed the menu to include one-of-a-kind dishes highlighting his signature aged meats, along with more traditional brunch favorites. Selections from the award-winning steakhouse's new brunch menu include short rib benedict with braised short rib, toasted english muffin and hollandaise; crispy pork belly hash with a poached egg and roasted potatoes; Marion Cunningham crispy yeast waffles with Applewood-smoked bacon, strawberries and bananas. The menu also features updated classics such as steak and eggs made with 44 Farms flat iron and French toast made with Brioche. I found it very Teasr-ish to have a Bacon Tasting on the menu, which consists of 5 varieties of bacon from pigs around the world and a Ham Tasting, which consists of slices of 5 different kinds of ham accompanied by David Chang's Red-Eye Gravy Mayo.

A special craft cocktail menu is available during brunch hours, featuring Bugs' Reward, a mix of rum, carrot, lemon, maple, egg whites and ginger ale; the Hibiscus Caipirinha featuring cachaca rum, hibiscus and lime; the Green Bloody Mary made with Knife's homemade tomatillo bloody mary base; and more. Guests may enjoy a casual brunch in Knife's dining room with a view of the open kitchen or opt for a more private dining experience on the restaurant's newly renovated patio, where seating is available at three exclusive covered cabanas that seat four people. Knife is also open daily for breakfast 6:30-11 a.m., lunch 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and dinner 5-11 p.m. Reservations are recommended by calling 214.443.9339. Knife is located inside The Highland Dallas hotel at 5680 N Central Expy, Dallas, TX 75206.

photos: Kevin Marple

Dallas Chefs Forecast Food Trends For 2015

International Food & Restaurant Consultants, Baum + Whiteman, recently published their 2015 food trend report. Business Insider reports that high on their list is all things tech — from ordering to apps. They also think Sriracha will be replaced by honey-centric sauces (like hot honey) while hummus will take the place of guacamole. And apparently, 2015 is about to become the year of the insects. Their Top Ten predictions for food trends we will see in 2015 include: Pistachios, Pimm's Cup, Iced lattes (with and without alcohol), Shaved ice desserts, 'Nduja Flavored salts, Fermented foods, Savory ice creams and yogurts, Bitter everything (bitter greens, bitter chocolate, bitter coffee), and more craft gin and whiskey producers. But what "experts" predict we will see nationally isn't necessarily what we will see locally - so I reached out to some of our city's savviest chefs to get their take on what trends they expected to serve in 2015 and was also curious as to what 2014 trends they are happy to see hit the road.

John Tesar

John Tesar is one Dallas' most vocal chefs so I was not surprised that he was the first one to respond to my inquiry. "I will be opening a traditional Italian restaurant with all hand made pasta and cooking with wood fire and sous vide in the design district with antipasti and Mediterranean specials nightly (in 2015)," said Tesar via email.

According to blogger Jane McGarry, this new concept will be named Gravy.  According to D Magazine's food editor, Nancy Nichols, Fork is the more likely scenario. 

He also expects to see "more international flavors and ethic traditions in drinks and wine" in the new year. What trend is he happy to leave behind? "Gone are the words of the food critic. Power to the people. Freedom of choice! Over-hyped restaurants with mediocre food all need to make room for real restaurants and real chefs."

Tesar is the owner and executive chef at:
Knife at The Highland Dallas 5680 North Central Expressway, Dallas, TX 75206

See How Dallas Celebrities Spent New Years Eve

Happy New Year everyone! I hope that you had a fun-filled evening last night and are ready for an exiting New Year! I scoured the web to see how Dallas celebs spent their last night of 2014. Some had a low-key family evening, while others boozed it up in grand style. Here's a snapshot of how some of Dallas' famous faces brought in 2015.

Survivor Blood vs. Water: San Juan del Sur contestants Baylor Wilson and her Mother Missy Payne hosted a party at Cucina Neighborhood Italian in Preston Center. Baylor posted "Shine bright like a diamond". And yes, that's me toasting with Missy. You know it's a good party when you end up on the bar... That was stop one of three for me. Just a day in the life...

(photo of Baylor via Instagram)

The Big Oyster Bash was a Mother Shucker

Chefs for Farmers hosted the first annual Big Oyster Bash this past Sunday afternoon inside the newly renovated Shed One at Dallas Farmers Market. The event featured dishes from some of Dallas top chefs: Matt McCallister, Jon Alexis, John Tesar, Jon Stevens, Kyle McClelland, Stephen Rogers, Houston's Randy Rucker and others using both raw and cooked oysters from Texas and both coasts shucked on site.

Cynthia Smoot with Chef John Tesar

Attendees enjoyed cocktails, wine, an oyster slurp-off, a tarot card reader, and shed-shaking tunes from DJ Souljah. Chef John Tesar won the People's Choice Award for his truffle infused oyster stew and Chef Jon Stevens for his croissant bread pudding with caramel mousse.

Unfortunately if you didn't get there early, you didn't get to eat. While the event ran from 2pm to 6pm, I arrived at 3:30pm and all but three vendors were out of food. The good news is that two of the three dishes I did get to eat were the award winners. While I can't say much about the dishes created, I can tell you that there was plenty of booze, tunes and good energy.

Spotted slurping, noshing and toe-tapping in the crowd were foodies like Bev Garvin, Steven Doyle, Jennifer Miller, LeeAnne Locken, Catherine Downes, Angus Wynne and Lucien LaBarba.

Scenes from the day are below:

Tre Wilcox To Offer Cooking Classes With Celebrity Chef Pals

Last fall I spent the afternoon with Tre Wilcox and got to watch firsthand as he held court for one of his cooking "classes".

I use quotes around the word classes, because this is not a traditional class where you make your own food and are instructed step-by-step by the chef. This is more of a belly-up-to-the-bar-and-enjoy-a-cocktail-while-Tre-entertains-you-with-stories-and-shares-cooking-tips-and-tricks kind of class. Personally, I found it infinitely more entertaining than a traditional cooking class.

Wilcox has come up with a fun twist on his classes and asked celebrity chefs to join him for the experience. How great is it that you can now get TWO celebrity chefs for the price of one! Each class, is limited to six people and will be held from noon-­3pm on select Saturday dates in Wilcox’s condo in the Downtown Arts District. The cost is $215 per person and trust me, the entertainment value alone is worth the cost. You'll be laughing throughout the entire class and enjoy a fantastic meal at the end of it. Did I mention he also makes you cocktails? Who knew he was such a good bartender to boot...

Dallas Celebrities Share Their Favorite Holiday Traditions

If you said the word "holidays" to a group of 200 people, I can guarantee you that 200 different visual reactions would occur within the minds of those being asked. Some of us grew up with lots of traditions and rituals, while others did not. This time of year is magical and wonderful and part of that reason is that everyone celebrates it differently! I asked some of my favorite Dallas celebrities and media pals to share what their favorite holiday traditions were. I hope you enjoy reading their answers as much I as did. Happy holidays!!

"Every Xmas eve since I was a little boy my family has celebrated the Feast of the Seven Fishes*. Now that I have Spoon we celebrate that family tradition in the restaurant.  The next morning I drive out to my wife's family's ranch and open presents with the kids and roast a couple of prime ribs and celebrate! "

- John Tesar, Owner and Executive Chef of Spoon Bar & Kitchen and former Top Chef contestant

*The Feast of the Seven Fishes is an Italian-American Christmas celebration. Today, it is a feast that typically consists of seven different seafood dishes. This celebration commemorates the wait, the Vigilia di Natale, for the midnight birth of the baby Jesus. 

"My favorite part of the season is reminiscing about the look on the faces of children as they gaze upon Santa. I spent two years helping Santa in Kerens, Texas. I actually dressed up as Santa and drew holiday shoppers to town.

Many children posed in front of me for picture taking. It wasn't possible for them to sit on my lap but I remember the look in their eyes. Now that I'm Big Tex, I rest during the holidays but I still enjoy seeing children gaze up at a 55-ft. cowboy in amazement during the State Fair of Texas each year."

- Big Tex, State Fair of Texas spokesperson and Texas icon

Oh So Tasty: Burgers and Burgundy 2012

Debra Nelson, Greg Haynes Johnson and Anne Stodghill

Celebrity chefs and philanthropic foodies joined Chef John Tesar at the estate of Anne and Steve Stodghill on Friday, October 19th for the fourth annual Burgers & Burgundy event benefiting The Dallas Chapter of DIFFA (Design Industry Foundation Fighting AIDS).

“I was very excited to bring my fellow chefs together for what has become an annual event for DIFFA/Dallas,” comments Chef Tesar. “I have had the honor to work with DIFFA for four years to put on this event. The best part, though, is that it’s for a great cause.”

Each chef was tasked with the challenge to serve up the best burger sliders and compliment them with the burgundy of their choice. I was a bit leery of attending this event, since I am not a fan of red wine (or I should say, it is not a fan of ME!) but thankfully, there were plenty of other libation selections from which to choose if burgundy wines weren't your thing.

Season 10 of Top Chef to feature three Dallas chefs

John Tesar, Danyele McPherson and Joshua Valentine

The tenth season of everyone's favorite culinary drama - Top Chef - returns to the Bravo network on November 7.

This season's battle in Seattle will feature Dallas' own John Tesar, The Grape's sous chef Danyele McPherson and Oklahoma-to-Dallas transplant Joshua Valentine, who is the pastry chef at Matt McCallister's upcoming FT33.

The contestants will be vying against 19 other chefs from around the country for $125,000. Best of luck to our Dallas chefs!