Merriman Anderson Architects (MAA) is proud to introduce Theresa Zavala as the firm’s Interiors Hospitality Lead. With 25 years of experience in global hospitality and high-end residential design, Zavala brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to MAA’s growing interiors division. 

In this role, Zavala will lead MAA’s hospitality interior design team, overseeing the design and execution of world-class interior spaces in the hospitality sector. She will be responsible for ensuring projects meet the highest design standards, align with client goals, and stay within budget. 

“Theresa’s experience and creative vision make her an invaluable leader to our interiors team,” says Milton Anderson, President, MAA. “Her guidance will further enhance our ability to deliver exceptional and thoughtfully-designed spaces for our clients.” 

Over her career, Zavala has worked on high-end hospitality projects, blending luxury and functionality to create immersive guest experiences. Her extensive international travel and significant on-site experience bring a strategic and inspired approach to design.

“I am thrilled to join the talented team at MAA and contribute to the firm’s exceptional portfolio of projects,” says Theresa Zavala, Interiors Hospitality Lead, MAA. “I look forward to collaborating with and leading the hospitality interior design team to create memorable experiences in unique spaces.” 

MAA is an architecture and interior design firm based in Downtown Dallas with offices also in Fort Worth, Austin, and Charlotte. MAA has a significant hospitality interior design portfolio of projects, including AC Hotel Fort Worth Downtown, Cambria Hotel Houston, Dallas Petroleum Club, Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa, Marriott Hotel Redmond, The National, The Statler Hilton, and The Woodlands Resort. 

Sheraton Dallas Hotel is proud to recognize Senior Sous Chef Ricardo Viesca Gutierrez as the winner of the Vegetarian Division and one of the 12 finalists in the 2024 World Food Championships. Chef Ricardo faced over 300 teams of competitors from more than 35 states and 20 countries to take home titles across 12 different categories. Chef Ricardo won the Vegetarian Category with his dish, Smoked Vodka Sauce, and earned the chance to compete at the World Food Championships Final Table this March in Bentonville, Arkansas, where he will battle against the other 11 category winners. Chef Ricardo has been Senior Sous Chef at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel for two years.

Since its debut in 2012, the World Food Championships (WFC) has amassed a tremendous worldwide following, providing a one-of-a-kind culinary experience at its events, as well as numerous live and made-for-TV shows. In addition to popularizing competitive cooking, the WFC platform has had an undeniable impact on the food industry, facilitating the creation of more than 10,000 new dishes and supporting communities via partnerships with various local non-profits, charities, and food banks throughout the United States. In short, the WFC platform has given birth to "Food Sport" by providing a level playing field, a fair judging system, innovative culinary programming, ambassador opportunities, TV visibility and a process that allows talented culinary teams to compete in ways never seen before.

The decision to join the competition was not difficult for Chef Ricardo, who also competed at last year’s World Food Championship in Dallas, where he gained the necessary experience to bring home the trophy from Indianapolis, back in November. He eagerly seeks creative challenges to test his culinary skills and knowledge. Chef Ricardo’s journey at the World Food Championship was supported by his devoted partner Marielle Ramos, who is the Sous Chef in the Dallas Marriott Downtown across the street from the Sheraton Dallas Hotel. Together, they practiced all day and night to refine the dish, balancing work with practice for the competition.

Born in Mexico City, Chef Ricardo wanted to explore the difference between home-prepared dishes and restaurant-quality cuisine. Armed with extensive knowledge of flavors, he attended culinary school at Superior de Gastronomia in Mexico City and Escuela Superior de Hosteleria de Sevilla in Seville, Spain to polish his technical skills. Chef Ricardo’s travels continued, as he lived in many states across the United States and in multiple countries, working in luxury hotels and Michelin-star restaurants.

Chef Ricardo’s creativity is palpable, as dishes are often introduced to the Sheraton Dallas Hotel menu, straight from his home kitchen, where he spends time developing elevated dishes that are also “warm and comforting” – including the winning dish, Smoked Vodka Sauce. “I draw inspiration from my Mexican heritage, travels, and home [Texas] to create beautiful, delicious comfort food that brings joy. I love eating good food and know what I want to see on a restaurant’s menu as a consumer.” He continues, “My experience at Sheraton Dallas has been rewarding. They have given me complete liberty to be creative in the kitchen and push the envelope.”

The Smoked Vodka Sauce pays homage to Texas with Texas-founded Tito’s Vodka as the base and the utilization of Sheraton’s industrial-sized smoker to smoke the tomatoes and imitate the smokiness of iconic Texas barbecue. 

The Smoked Vodka Sauce is featured in the Pappardelle Allá Vodka dish available to order at Open Palette in the Sheraton Dallas Hotel, located at 400 Olive St, Dallas, TX 75201. 

For more information about the Sheraton Dallas, visit www.SheratonDallas.com.

Kitchen Design Concepts recently completed a kitchen transformation that balances aesthetic appeal and functionality for a busy family of six. With a focus on practicality and an appreciation for personal style, the design brings together unique features like a bold yellow backsplash, innovative storage solutions, and smart tech elements. 

Design Highlights and Solutions

• Island Redesign: The original kitchen featured a large, square island that did not use the space to its full potential. The new island design became a focal point of the renovation, with a split-level island introduced to differentiate the prep/cooking area from the kids' homework and dining area. The triangular shape with waterfall edges allowed for a full seating area with space for four stools, which a traditional straight island could not accommodate. 

• Storage Innovation: With storage being a top priority, the kitchen design was focused on maximizing every inch of the space. One standout feature is the two custom roll-out trays designed for easy access to essentials. 

• Bold Use of Color: The family had a strong connection to the color yellow. The design team chose a striking yellow backsplash to bring color into the space without overwhelming the whole kitchen.

• Tech-Savvy Details: Understanding the family’s busy lifestyle, the design integrated smart features like outlets lined under the island, one for each child. This thoughtful addition makes it easy for the kids to charge their devices while doing homework, all while keeping the kitchen organized during busy family dinners.

• Mudroom Upgrade: To accommodate the family’s love for outdoor activities and the kids' involvement in multiple sports, Kitchen Design Concepts prioritized creating a highly functional mudroom. The space was transformed into a practical mudroom with true “lockers,” complete with individual cubbies and drawers for each child’s shoes, sports gear, and outdoor equipment. 

The home had original hardwood floors that the homeowners wanted to patch, sand, and smooth. The existing hand-scraped finish felt outdated, especially given the contemporary direction of the new design. To modernize the look, the design team removed the hand scraping and re-stained the floors, giving them a sleek, polished finish. The homeowners loved the new floors so much that they decided to continue it through to the stairs and upstairs, creating a cohesive flow throughout the whole home.

This home renovation is a great example of how a well-thought-out design can turn everyday challenges into an opportunity for creativity. From the bold backsplash to the storage solutions, every detail was tailored to enhance the family’s everyday life, making the space not only more beautiful but also more usable.

Sheraton Dallas presents a Valentine’s Day evening to remember on Friday, February 14, with an expertly crafted, four-course dinner at Open Palette. Enjoy a romantic evening with live music by talented violinists, creating the perfect ambiance for your celebration. To make the night even more special, Open Palette is delighted to offer a complimentary bottle of Brut per couple as a toast to your love.

The dinner is $194 per couple. Reservations for February 14, 2025, are available now on OpenTable.

VALENTINE’S DAY MENU

Amuse-Bouche (choose one)

• Crab Cake Bite. Delicately seared with chipotle tartar sauce.

• Spanish Iberico Ham Bruschetta. Toasted artisan bread topped with tomato relish.

• Roasted Vegetable Puff Pastry. Flaky pastry filled with smoked ricotta and roasted peppers. 

Appetizer (choose one) 

• Mexico City Shrimp Cocktail. Succulent shrimp in a tangy cocktail sauce with avocado, corn chips, and micro cilantro.

• Burrata Salad. Creamy burrata paired with cantaloupe chutney, caramelized pear, pecan nuts, arugula, and crisp crostini.

Entree (choose one)

• Braised Wayuu Short Rib. Tender boneless short rib served with potato pavé, smoked carrots, roasted broccolini, and a rich beef jus.

• Lobster Pappardelle. House-made pappardelle pasta with sautéed local mushrooms, fresh spinach, succulent lobster, and a luxurious cream sauce.

Dessert

• Opera Cake with Raspberry Gel. Coffee-soaked sponge cake with mocha French buttercream and chocolate ganache.

Beverage

• Complimentary bottle of Brut per couple

Sheraton Dallas Hotel is located in Downtown Dallas at 400 North Olive Street, Dallas, Texas 75201.

Kitchen Design Concepts recently completed a functional renovation of a Carrollton, Texas home to fit the needs of a couple with three children and seven grandchildren. With frequent family gatherings of up to 45 people, the home needed to balance style with practicality while accommodating large groups and ensuring functionality. 

Kitchen Design Concepts delivered a result that exceeded expectations and showcased their expertise in crafting practical, stylish spaces for multigenerational living. 

The renovation focused on transforming the kitchen and laundry room, replacing the flooring throughout the first floor, excluding the primary bathroom, redoing the staircase, and refreshing the home with new paint. The goal was to optimize space usage, resulting in a smaller, more efficient laundry room to make way for a larger, more functional kitchen that is perfect for the client’s family-centered lifestyle. 

Design Highlights:

• Enhanced Functionality: The project required significant structural updates, including adjusting beams to ensure proper HVAC integration. 

• By opening up spaces, the team reduced potential “traffic jams” during large family gatherings, which was a top priority for the client. 

• Durable Flooring: With a pool in the backyard, the clients needed flooring that could withstand water exposure while still looking beautiful. 

• Kitchen Design Concepts chose waterproof vinyl planks that look like wood to ensure a durable, indestructible option that meets the family’s needs. 

• Color Choices: The island was designed as a focal point, painted in a gorgeous shade of green to add personality and warmth to the kitchen. 

• This pop of color not only reflects the homeowner’s taste but also brings an inviting, family-friendly feel to the space. 

As many families prepare their homes for festive gatherings, incorporating durable materials and inviting colors can transform kitchens and living areas into lively, functional spaces. 

By balancing style and practicality, this renovation is ready for both everyday living and the special moments of the holiday season, offering a perfect example of how thoughtful design can enhance a home for the holidays.