The 14th Annual Symphony of Chefs was held on Monday, February 26 at Armstrong Fieldhouse at SMU. Event Chairs Beanie & Martin Newman, along with Honorary Chef Chairs Justin Box, Private Chef, Consultant and Restaurateur, and Luke Rogers, Executive Chef & Owner of Beckley 1115, were the driving forces behind this year’s ultimate chef-driven culinary dinner experience benefitting KidLinks. Notable supporters in attendance included Cristi & Kevin Ryan, Christie and Elbert Choi, Bonnie and Nathan Shea, Lisa and Stuart Sides, and Georgia and Marc Lyons.
Hamilton A Sneed of HAS Events was the visionary behind this culinary concept, which had DJ Steffi Burns spinning tunes as guests entered through draped curtains, revealing tables placed throughout SMU’s practice course setting the scene for a lively evening of culinary composition. The evening kicked off with The Rayleigh Underground providing delicious hors d’oeuvres during the cocktail reception. The reception was followed by a seated dinner where over 20 of Dallas’ most notable chefs prepared a unique four-course dinner tableside for guests with wine pairings from some of the world’s best vineyards.
In addition to Honorary Chef Chairs Justin Box and Luke Rogers, participating chefs included Aaron Collins, Chef de Cuisine of Cafe Momentum; Luca Corazzina, Executive Chef of Ellie’s Restaurant & Lounge; Eric Dreyer, Executive Chef of Monarch Restaurant; Miriam Jimenez, General Manager & Partner of Miriam Cocina Latina; Henry Johnson, Executive Chef of Bistro 3; Jennie Kelley, and Brandon Moore, Chef/Owners of Fond; John Kleifgen, Executive Chef of Nick & Sam’s Steakhouse; Dan Landsberg, Executive Chef of The Texas Barn at Circle T Ranch; Kevin Martin, Chef de Cuisine of TERRA; Giuliano Matarese, Chef & Restaurateur of Miss Pasta; Michael Matis, Chef de Cuisine of Fearing’s Restaurant; Nikky Phinyawatana, Chef & Founder of Asian Mint Restaurant Group; Janice Provost, Chef & Owner of Parigi; Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman, Executive Chef of José; Jeramie Robison, Director of Culinary & Executive Chef of Thompson Dallas; Rodman Shields, Culinary Director of Milkshake Concepts; Jordan Swim, Owner of Vestals Catering; and Leo Ramirez, Sous Chef of Dee Lincoln Prime. Following the coursed meal, Featured Pastry Chef Jill Bates of Sugar & Sage Bakery created masterful desserts as an end note to the evening.
WFAA’s Rebecca Lopez served as the evening’s emcee and introduced Bob Enriquez, who shared how music therapy sessions provided by KidLinks had impacted his great-grandson, Lucas, who was born with Myotonic Dystrophy which affects the facial muscles making it difficult to form and pronounce words and consequently, he had been essentially non-verbal. Thanks to KidLinks, 8-year old Lucas is now speaking in complete sentences and his family has hope for continued development. Funds raised from this event will support KidLinks efforts to provide healing, hope and happiness for children with special challenges through music and media. Learn more at www.kidlinks.org