TASTE ON THE TARMAC RETURNS TO GALAXY FBO ON APRIL 11

Taste Addison Preview Event Celebrates Culinary Arts Students, Benefits Hunger Program

Taste Addison has been celebrating the community’s culinary leaders for three decades, helping to elevate Addison’s reputation as one of Texas’s best dining destinations. On Friday, April, 11, Taste Addison kicks off its annual event season by honoring culinary leaders of tomorrow – all while raising funds for a great cause. Taste on the Tarmac, an elevated tasting happy hour experience, combines the culinary arts and community from 5 to 9 p.m. at Galaxy FBO at Addison Airport. Guests will enjoy fabulous bites and sips at this second annual event, with ticket sales benefiting the Metrocrest Services Sack Summer Hunger Program. The event is presented by Oncor.

Taste on the Tarmac features bites from Chamberlain’s Steak & Fish and a thrilling culinary competition where Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD high school students studying culinary arts compete for a chance to serve their dish at Taste Addison. Participating teams are competing by making their best Taste Bite, or sample-size dish. As an added challenge, 50% of the ingredients used in creating the Taste Bite must be items that are typically donated to a food pantry such as the one supported by Metrocrest Services.

Guests attending Taste on the Tarmac will vote to select the People’s Choice Award. Top honors will be voted on by the mayors of the Metrocrest region, including Addison Mayor Bruce Arfsten, Farmers Branch Mayor Terry Lynne, Carrollton Mayor Steve Babick and Coppell Mayor Wes Mays. The winning team will have the opportunity to present its Taste Bite at Taste Addison, April 25-27 in Addison Circle Park. Recipes for all Taste Bite entries will be available at Metrocrest Services Food Pantry during the summer months.

In addition to the student-prepared bites, Chamberlain’s Steak & Fish will provide an array of tasty bites and a paired beverage. Guests will enjoy live entertainment as well. Tickets for Taste on the Tarmac are $75 per person and can be purchased at visitaddison.com/2025-Taste-on-the-Tarmac-tickets/.

Metrocrest Services specializes in helping individuals, families and seniors navigate through crisis situations and work to stabilize their lives for a brighter future. Their Sack Summer Hunger Program provides healthy, easy-to-prepare breakfast, lunch and snacks for children who qualify for free or reduced meals during the school year. During the summer, weekly meal bags with a combination of pantry items and fresh foods are distributed to students’ homes by a dedicated corps of church partners and Metrocrest Services volunteers. Metrocrest Services will also be a beneficiary of donations at Taste Addison.

“The enthusiasm and initiative of these young chefs as they help share our mission with the community is inspiring,” said Tracy Eubanks, CEO of Metrocrest Services. “We appreciate their participation and that of the Town of Addison to address the needs of students experiencing food insecurity during the summer months.”

WHAT:                 Taste on the Tarmac, presented by Oncor

                             Benefiting Metrocrest Services Sack Summer Hunger Program

WHEN:                Friday, April 11, 2024

                             5 to 9 p.m.

WHERE:               Galaxy FBO

                             15625 Addison Road, Addison, TX 75001

TICKETS:              $75 per person

                             Ticket includes:

Unlimited Taste Bites

(2) Beverage Tokens

Live Entertainment

Supporting a great cause!

Valet parking is free of charge. Attendance is limited to those 21+

INFORMATION: https://visitaddison.com/TasteontheTarmac2025/

Texans, get ready to feel the heat. Back by popular demand, the Carolina Reaper Taco® returns to DQ® restaurants in Texas from March 17 to April 27 – bringing the fire for a limited time. The Carolina Reaper Taco is so hot, it can only be found in Texas, while supplies last at participating DQ restaurants in Texas.

Each taco starts with a crispy corn shell filled with Carolina Reaper-infused Monterey Jack cheese, seasoned ground beef, crisp lettuce and ripe tomatoes. The zesty tacos are topped off with a cool cilantro lime crema sauce to complete the legendary flavor of the Carolina Reaper Taco.

The bold flavors on a Texas classic delivers a one-two punch of fiery heat and mouthwatering flavor.  With the intense heat of the Texas sun combined with the searing electric energy of a lightning storm over the Great Plains, the Carolina Reaper Taco® delivers a powerful punch. 

Dare to take on the heat? Try the Carolina Reaper Taco before it disappears – and then cool things down with your favorite Blizzard® Treat, classic shake, or the iconic Dilly® Bar.

Fans can always enjoy the classic Texas T-Brand Tacos® throughout the year – beloved for their perfect balance of seasoned ground beef, crisp lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and shredded cheese, all wrapped in a crunchy corn shell. A go-to favorite for Texans, these legendary tacos have been satisfying cravings for generations. 

For 78 years, DQ restaurants in Texas have been friendly, gathering spots where fans enjoy delicious treats and eats and create fond memories. To be the first to learn about Blizzard of the Month flavors, new product news from the Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council or find a store location, follow us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook or visit dqtexas.com.

There are few brands as iconic as the DQ brand. Innovative DQ treats and eats, along with the unique DQ restaurant concepts, have positioned DQ restaurants in Texas as a leader in the quick service restaurant industry. The Texas Dairy Queen Operators' Council is a nonprofit organization made up of DQ franchisees operating in Texas. The Council develops the advertising and marketing program for DQ franchisees in Texas and controls the Texas Country Foods menu along with managing supply/distribution for the DQ restaurants in Texas. The DQ restaurants in Texas are franchised by American Dairy Queen Corporation and the DQ franchise system includes approximately 7,000 franchised locations in the United States, Canada, and more than 20 other countries. 

PLANO (March 2025) – The US India Chamber of Commerce DFW (USICOC DFW) hosted its 9th Annual Women’s Conference, “We Soar High”, helping kick off Women’s History Month in style.
This year’s keynote speaker was former Senator and former Ambassador, Kay Bailey Hutchison, who spoke about leadership and women empowerment with Neel Gonuguntla, Executive Board Member of USICOC DFW and COO of Dallas Venture Capital.

This year’s event took place at the Dallas Plano Marriott – Legacy Town Center, where more than 400 gathered to celebrate the achievements of both women in the community and the US India Chamber of Commerce DFW. In addition, the conference hosted panel discussions including an executive panel, product/consumer goods panel, and an executive leaders panel.

The Annual Women’s Conference brings together C-Suite executives, entrepreneurs, and women who have shattered glass ceilings in every industry to inspire greatness and share their path to success. Since its start in 2017, the Women’s Conference has been an annual sold-out event with more than 300 women representing hundreds of companies and organizations.

The 15th Annual Symphony of Chefs was held on Monday, February 24 at Astoria Event Venue. This event is a unique experience unlike any other chef-driven charity event in the DFW Metroplex in that the city's most notable chefs participate in a culinary evening that is out of this world. Guests enjoy a chef-prepared & interactive four-course dinner, wine pairings from some of the world’s best vineyards, a silent auction of experiences and much more! Honorary Chef Chairs Janice Provost, Chef & Owner of Parigi and Dan Landsberg, Executive Chef of The Texas Barn at Circle T Ranch, were the driving forces behind this year’s ultimate chef-driven culinary dinner experience benefiting KidLinks. Notable supporters in attendance included Founding Event Chairs Bonnie and Nathan Shea, Cristi and Kevin Ryan, Jodie and John Ludwig, and Lisa & Stuart Sides.

The evening kicked off with hors d’oeuvres prepared by James Ash of Harwood Hospitality Group and a luxurious caviar bar hosted by Black River Caviar. While guests shopped the silent auction, a livestream of Chef Ash preparing these delicious bites was shown. Hamilton A Sneed of HAS Events was the visionary behind this culinary concept. DJ Yojina set the vibe spinning tunes as guests entered through draped curtains, revealing tables placed throughout Astoria’s spacious setting. The scene was set for what was a lively evening of culinary composition. The reception was followed by a seated dinner where 17 of Dallas’ most notable chefs prepared a unique four-course dinner tableside for guests with wine pairings from Banfi Wines, Delicato Family Wines, Willamette Valley Vineyards, HALL Wines, Copper Cane Wines, Riboli Family Wines, Rootstock Wines, Times Ten Cellars, Sonoma Time, and Lewis Cellars.

In addition to Honorary Chef Chairs Janice Provost and Dan Landsberg, participating chefs included Uno Immanivong, Chef & Owner of Red Stix Asian Street Food; Brendan Lee Davey, Executive Chef of Ellie's Lounge & Restaurant at Hall Arts Hotel; Giuliano Matarese of Miss Pasta; Estephan Fernandez, Executive Chef of Truluck's; Nikky Phinyawatana, Owner/CEO of Asian Mint Restaurant Group; Jennie Kelley and Brandon Moore, Co-Chefs & Owners of Fond; Aubrey Murphy, Executive Chef of SĒR Steak + Spirits; Miriam Jimenez, General Manager & Partner of Miriam Cocina Latina; Mollie Guerra, Owner of Chef Mollie G, LLC;Rodman Shields, Senior Culinary Director of Milkshake Concepts; Aaron Collins, Chef de Cuisine of Café Momentum; Carlos Ayala, Sous Chef of Nick & Sam's; Michael Matis, Chef de Cuisine of Fearing's; Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman, Executive Chef of José; and Mario Hernandez, Executive Chef of NURI Steakhouse. Following the coursed-dinner, Featured Pastry Chef Yasmin Mondragon, Pastry Chef at Eataly Dallas at NorthPark Center created masterful desserts as an ending note to the evening.

Sarah Blaskovich, Food Writer for The Dallas Morning News, served as the evening’s emcee and introduced Temira and Jerry Wagner, who shared how music therapy sessions provided by KidLinks had impacted their son, Jerry Allen Wagner II (whom they affectionately call JAWS), who was was diagnosed at 9 months with a rare chromosome deletion. He has complex medical care needs along with developmental delay and is on the spectrum for Autism. JAWS is non-verbal, but music communicates to him and thanks to several years of KidLinks therapy, now communicates via beats by clapping along with the tempo, using some sign language, and can now wave a lot to say "Hi!"

Temira also shared, “Seeing the quality sessions and outcomes helped us to see the value and importance of such work. We had an in-depth conversation at our church, Disciple City Church and by mid-summer 2024, KidLinks was able to launch a music therapy clinic at our church in Oak Cliff. Typically, in urban and rural communities, families must commute far for services and even spend more for quality sessions. Now, families in the Oak Cliff area and in neighboring communities have better access to these blessings of services.”

Paul Pass, Co-Executive Director (Development) of KidLinks addressed the room saying, "For over four decades, KidLinks has positively impacted more than 439,000 children and caregivers through direct service programs and thousands more through our online platforms. We have provided healing and therapeutic music through a library of songs, in-hospital performances at special care centers, and board-certified music therapy sessions. Your support of this event helps to fund resources that build children’s self-esteem and help them navigate physical, social, and emotional needs.Together, we can spread the power of music, giving kids throughout North Texas the confidence to let their light shine and realize their potential!" Learn more about KidLinks at www.kidlinks.org

Texas Woman’s University (TWU) hosted another successful Dallas Leadership Luncheon on March 6 at The Arts District Mansion, where the university recognized Nicole Small as the 2025 Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award recipient. A signature fundraiser for TWU, the event supports scholarships for graduate students while celebrating leaders who have made a significant impact on education and the quality of life in the Dallas community. The presenting event sponsor was Luther King Capital Management.

The highlight of the luncheon was a moderated conversation with Small, who is the CEO of LH Capital, Inc. and Lyda Hill Philanthropies, and education philanthropist Abby Williams, who with her husband Todd Williams received the 2024 TWU Leadership Award. The event also featured the announcement of $77,000 in scholarship awards presented to the 32 graduate students selected for the 2025 class of Virginia Chandler Dykes Scholars. Six of those were recognized: Abi Rainey (College of Arts and Sciences), Bradaisea Ridge-Law (Merrilee Alexander Kick College of Business and Entrepreneurship), Dr. Savitha Sundar (College of Health Sciences/Occupational Therapy), Jenny Reynolds (College of Health Sciences), Kiara Whitney (Houston J. and Florence A. Doswell College of Nursing), and Christiana Parra (College of Professional Education).

Luncheon speakers were the program emcee, Lisa Rampy, Vice President of University Advancement and Alumni Engagement; Shannon Mantaro, Executive Director of the Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership, the luncheon sponsor; Ralph Hawkins, event chair and a past Leadership Award recipient; and TWU Chancellor and President Dr. Carine M. Feyten.

The TWU Dallas Leadership Award is named in honor of the late Virginia Chandler Dykes, a TWU alumna and TWU Board of Regents member who was a noted healthcare leader and champion for education. Dykes’ sons Dr. Ron Chandler and Chuck Chandler attended, as was Virginia’s longtime friend, Patricia Crocker.

Since 2002, the event has raised $2.42 million for graduate student scholarships.  Returning as the event’s presenting sponsor was Luther King Capital Management.

Additional thanks to these sponsors:

Luncheon Sponsor: Texas Woman’s University's Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership

VIP Reception Sponsor: Billingsley Company

Pioneer Platinum Sponsor: Lyda Hill Philanthropies

Pioneer Investors: Sue S. Bancroft, Carol & Don Glendenning & Leigh Glendenning Roberts

Pioneer Premier Partners: Children’s Health, Haynes Boone, The Hersh Foundation, The Hirsch Family Foundation, Nicole and Justin Small/Justin and Nicole Small Fund, Valeo Partners 

Learn more about the Dallas Leadership Luncheon at twu.edu/DallasLeadership.