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).

Dallas Opera Kicks Off Its 2015-16 Season With First Sight

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Certain photos c/o Kristina Bowman for the Dallas Opera


I was thrilled to attend the First Sight Fashion Show and Luncheon last Friday, chaired by Ellen and Don Winspear with Honorary chairs Mrs. Micki Rawlings and The Honorable Michael S. Rawlings. The C. Vincent Prothro Lobby in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House was transformed into a fashion venue complete with runway and Dallas’ most glamorous models donning designs. Fashions from British luxury brand Mulberry, which opened this year at NorthPark Center, were shown and I especially loved the big chunky shoes that came clomping down the runway. Hoorah for comfortable footwear! In what has become a tradition at FIRST SIGHT, five custom pieces—each a representation of an opera produced this season and created by five internationally renowned Dallas-based designers—kicked off the show.  The designers who took on this creative challenge were: Geoffrey Henning (Great Scott); Khanh Nguyen for Nha Khan (Tosca); Edo Popken (Becoming Santa Claus); Elizabeth Anyaa (Manon); and Michael Faircloth (Show Boat). Each drew inspiration from the opera for which they were selected, from The Dallas Opera’s incredible 2015-2016 Season, to craft a custom piece, donating their time and materials for FIRST SIGHT. I have been a fan of opera and classical music for as long as I can remember. The love affair started early listening to Mozart and Beethoven as background music for my favorite Bugs Bunny cartoons and I delighted as Alfalfa crooned to his beloved Darla the arias from Figaro in The Little Rascals. The first opera I ever saw was Pirates of Penzance when I was 10 or 11 years old at the Music Hall at Fair Park and I was hooked. The pageantry and extravagance combined with the theatrics and beautiful music was not lost on me and opera has held a special place in my heart ever since that outing. I hope that you will consider taking in a performance this season and experiencing the magic that is the Dallas Opera!

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.

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Photos by Rhi Lee

Fashion Group International Announces the Fashion Police for 2013

HALT! You are under arrest.
I am now officially a member of the FGI Fashion Police 2013!

If you are involved with fashion as a career or just love fashion and appreciate the art form, you need to attend Fashion Group International's (FGI) Fashion & Lifestyle Awards ‘Night of Stars’ Gala. It is the largest fundraiser of the year for FGI of Dallas and directly funds and supports Career Day. Held annually in April, Career Day provides over $40,000 in multiple scholarships to local fashion students.

What I love about this event - outside of supporting FGI - is that it is the BEST event of the year for people-watching. Why, you ask? Because in fashion, honey, they dress to impress. When you are dealing with the creme de la creme of the industry, I can assure you that they are going to pull out ALL the stops to make sure their look is flawless.

To help raise money for the cause, FGI selects individuals each year to be on the Fashion Police squad. Our job is to raise awareness and funds (see below) for FGI through this event.  Joining me on this year's unit is Scott Finfer, Dan Pritchett, Jennifer de Soccaraz-Flemming, Hamilton Sneed, Rachel Roberts, Tre Wilcox, Rhonda Sargent Chambers, Jim Duran, Crystal Wilson Herrera, Janet Fresquez and LeeAnne Locken.

Patron Magazine (run by the exquisite Terri Provencal) is the media partner for this event, so it fell to them to debut our glam squad in their August issue. Check out the awesome spread above... If you'd like to pick up a copy, you can find Patron at Barnes and Noble, Meadows Museum Gift Shop or subscribe online at http://patronmagazine.com/subscription.html