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.”

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).

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.

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

The Best Charity Events in Dallas

2014 is right around the corner. I feel like I can't look ahead without also taking a moment to reflect back. It's like crossing the street: look left, right and then left again… As we approach the end of yet another fast and furious year, there are a handful of festivals, events and galas that resinate as standout events to me.  Before I even start this post, let me just throw out a disclaimer. When I say these are the "best" charity events in Dallas, I am not talking about the most worthy charitable endeavors. Every non-profit organization has great intentions towards an admirable cause. But let's face it, there is only so much time and money one can give. At the end of the day people are looking for an event that not only provides them with a way to give back to a cause or their community but also provides a great experience, delicious food, great people-watching and an amazing experience that still has you talking about months later.  The following events are listed in no particular order, and all are number one in my book. These functions were so well executed this year that they raise the bar for every chair person who comes behind them. Bless their hearts…

Burgers & Burgundy 2013

Host Chef John Tesar

This past Sunday, the celebrity chefs joined host Chef John Tesar at the estate of Bill and Karen Seanor for the fifth annual Burgers & Burgundy benefitting The Dallas Chapter of DIFFA (Design Industry Foundation Fighting AIDS). 

Chefs participating in this year’s event included John Tesar (Spoon Bar & Kitchen), Samir Dhurandhar (Nick & Sam’s), Sharon Van Meter (3015 Trinity Groves), Tim Byres (Smoke), Patton Robertson (Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck), Kevin Williamson (Ranch 616), T.J. Legnick (Shinsei), Patrick Russell (Max’s Wine Dive), Brad Phillips (Asador), Blaine Staniford (Grace) and Whole Foods.

CLICK HERE to view fun photos from this event!

Each chef was tasked with the challenge to serve up the best burger sliders and compliment them with the burgundy of their choice. Funds raised from the event will go towards DIFFA/Dallas’s mission of serving those who are affected by AIDS and HIV across North Texas.

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.