More details have emerged for Park & Palate, the new foodie festival coming to Dallas' Klyde Warren Park September 25-26. In addition to the massive number of local and regional restaurants dishing out their best bites all day on Saturday, the big draws are cooking demonstrations with food celebrities such as chef-restaurateur Jonathan Waxman and Chopped judge Amanda Freitag.
These top toques showcase their skills and styles of cuisine during 45-minute demonstrations, offering expert cooking tips. Afterward, attendees can grill them during a Q&A session. The schedule is as follows:
- Jason Dady of Jason Dady Restaurant Group, 12:15 to 1 pm
- Tiffany Derry of Tiffany Derry Concepts, 1:15 to 2 pm
- Kent Rathbun of Abacus and Jasper’s, 2:15 to 3 pm
- Jonathan Waxman, 3:15 to 4 pm
- Amanda Freitag, 4:15 to 5 pm
Among the Dallas superstars participating in the grand tasting are Anastacia Quinones (Kitchen LTO), Andrea Shackelford (Harvest), Brian Luscher (Luscher’s Red Hots), Danyele McPherson (Remedy), and Dennis Kelley and Melody Bishop (Lark on the Park), and Omar Flores (Casa Rubia). Other well-known Texas chefs on the lineup include Andrew Wiseheart (Contigo and Gardner in Austin), Ronnie Killen (Killen’s BBQ in Pearland), and Timothy Rattray (Granary ‘Cue & Brew).
The festival actually kicks off Friday night, with a competition between a dozen Texas chefs to create “comfort food with a modern twist.” Participants include Alma Alcocer (El Alma Restorante and Bar), Wiseheart, Becky Masson (Fluff Bake Bar), Jeff Balfour (Southerleigh), Julio Peraza (Madrina), John Tesar (Knife), Rathbun, Michael Fojtasek and Grae Nonas (Olamaie), Tyson Cole (Uchi), Dady, Derry, and Tre Wilcox.
Tickets are on sale now at the Park & Palate website. They start at $150 and vary in pricing for each day. General admission is $250; VIP tickets are $450. Although the event is limited to those 21 and up, the Klyde Warren Park is hosting free family programming on the East Lawn.
Dallas chef Kent Rathbun is on the bill for Park & Palate.
Silva posing with his son in front of Wav Room.