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.
