What's New

• Le Creuset is big news on the cookware scene.  The 85 year old French cookware line has chosen Dallas for its first “stand alone” shop, right here in Inwood Village, just steps away from the Inwood Theater. One can almost match table and kitchen ware with their range of colors. Added to the original single color and recent basic colors are additions in luscious shades such as cassis and kiwi. If you have not cooked a cassoulet or osso buco in a Le Creuset Dutch oven, you are missing part of the experience and the ease of serving from stove to table for informal occasions. The Lovers Lane shop has started classes in their center of the store demonstration kitchen.  Stop by and pick up the list.  We noticed that Rise #1 restaurant owner Hedda Gioia Dowd and executive chef Cherif Brahmi demonstrated recipes from their book, Rise to the Occasion: A French Experience, at the new shop.

• Dish 813: Colorful, Wonderful Dinner Plates. House & Garden features editor Shax Riegler brings us a fascinating history and artistry of the dinner plate.  The book pairs well with the acquisition of new linens to bring focus to the dinner plate.

• Private|Social. Top Chef contestant Tiffany Derry opens her long-awaited restaurant at McKinney Avenue and Hall Street this week. Quotes describe the restaurant:  “where the casual and the upscale effortlessly mingle, creating an ideal setting for elegance with ease.” With Chef Derry at the helm, the food will be outstanding.  For those looking for a private room to entertain friends, the restaurant will have such a place. We can’t wait for our first experience.

• The calendar of food and entertaining events is quite full. As always, we encourage support of these events that showcase our local and talented chefs and entertainment industry entrepreneurs. As a reminder, please consider supporting (and finding inspiration) in:

October 17: Tablescapes. The annual Kappa Kappa Gamma fundraiser is the ultimate entertaining inspiration. Be prepared for awe-inspiring vignettes featuring the best of Dallas’ florists, event impresarios and shops.  Candlelight viewing takes place at Brook Hollow Golf Club on Monday evening, October 17.  The next day’s luncheon, featuring author and speaker, Bettie Bearden Pardee, is almost a sell-out. Contact www.kappadallas.org for details and tickets.

October 28 through November 6: Shopping for Charity. The Partners Card is a unique fundraiser that benefits The Family Place’s programs for victims of family violence. Since its inception in 1993, the program has raised more than $11 million for its mission. This gets us into action to purchase, at 20% off, our wish lists from the cooperating and generous Dallas area merchants.  Now is the time to acquire the new table finery for the fall entertaining scene at terrific shops, such as Paper & Chocolate for invitations and small gifts; at Madison, Nest, the Ivy House and Nicholson-Hardie for tabletop; Casa di Lino and the Linen Boutique for table linens; and Williams Sonoma and Sur La Table for kitchen equipment.  And, don’t forget the holiday gifts.

October 30: The AIWF XX Annual Caesar Salad Competition celebrates its successful 20th year with competition among the 19 previous Caesar Salad winners.  Among those in competition will be most of Dallas’ top chefs, including John Tesar, Samir Dhurandhar, Jim Severson, Kent Rathbun and David Holben.  Festive -- and always fun, the XX Annual Caesar Salad Competition will take place at the Westin Galleria Dallas from 1 to 5 pm. Check the website for the American Institute of Wine and Food for details.

November 5: Zoo to Do. A great event and a great cause, the Zoo to Do features Dallas’ best chefs showcasing their skills, fabulous food and support for the Dallas Zoo. The evening begins with cocktails, a stroll though the Giants of Savanna exhibit and the opening of the silent auction. It continues with more than 25 of Dallas’ finest chefs and restaurants providing food at different stations.  This is a true “grazing” event. Honorary chef is Jim Severson of Sevy’s Grill.

November 12: March of Dimes Signature Chefs. Last year's event was a sell-out, so we want to give you ample notice about the Dallas edition of a nation-wide signature fund-raiser, "Fund the Mission," for the March of Dimes.  Lead celebrity chef Kent Rathbun has gathered 20 of Dallas' best chefs to showcase their dishes at the Fairmont Hotel Regency Ballroom on November 12.  The fare will also be paired with wines from top Napa Valley Vintners who will be on scene to share their bounty.  An auction rounds out the evening with chances to sip wine in Napa or enjoy cooking lessons with celebrity chefs, all for a very good cause.  Check the March of Dimes web site for ticket information.