Courtesy of Shef F&W
Audio By Carbonatix
We attend our fair share of foodie events and festivals, but rare is it that after we hit every booth, much less make two loops. We honestly try to be decent (most of the time). Alas, at last year’s Shef F&W festival, put on by Dallas chef and Top Chef alum and Tiffany Derry, I did exactly that. Every paper plate of food handed out was better than the last.
Shef is back Oct. 24-26 in Grand Prairie and I’m giddy.
Who’s Who, The Chef Line Up
What makes this special is that Derry, a two-time James Beard Award Finalist, has pulled from her large Rolodex of friends to invite to this event. We count more than 30 chefs on the talent page.
Popular local chefs include Fitzgerald Dodd (start here), Samir Dhurandhar, Peja Krstic, RJ Yoakum, Nikky Phinyawatana, and Grand Prairie’s own Joe Zavala.
Other chefs include:
- Kwame Onwuachi – James Beard Award Winner, Author and Restaurateur, Tatiana
- Duff Goldman – Chef and TV Personality, Ace of Cakes
- Angelo Sosa – Chef and Author, Top Chef
- Erick Williams – James Beard Award Winning Chef
- Silvia Barban – Top Chef Competitor and Restaurateur
- Tavel Bristol-Joseph – Top Chef Competitor and Restaurateur
- Arnold Myint – Chef-Owner and Restaurateur
- Tristen Epps-Long – Chef & Top Chef Winner Season ’22
- Kevin Bludso – Award-winning Chef and Restaurateur
- Saeng Douangdara – Personal Chef and Creator
- Michael Voltaggio – Chef and TV Personality
- Marcus Davis – Chef
- Dawn Burrell – Top Chef finalist
Ticket Options
There’s a full à la carte menu of events to attend over the three-day festival. If nothing else, get tickets to the Grand Tasting, which was our two-loop dream last year. This runs on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $165 per person, which includes food and wine for three and a half hours on the large grand lawn. There’s also live music, and we’re not here to make promises, but chef Derry did get out there and dance last year. We have video.
The VIP Grand Tasting gets you in at 4 p.m. and access to a VIP lounge with premium bar service and bites from local culinary schools (we love this – get them kids ready!). This also includes a VIP Grand Tasting from 5 to 5:30 p.m.
There are several other events like a Shef Welcome Reception hosted by Brown Estate Vineyards and Caviar Dream on Friday, Oct. 24.
Robin McBride (McBride Sister Wine Company) and Fawn Weaver (co-founder of Uncle Nearest) are hosting a Whiskey and Wine reception at the Epic Theater on Friday (Oct. 24) from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $83.
There’s an After Party, a VIP Grand Tasting Upgrade, a Wine Experience and Cocktail Experience, plus a panel hosted by Erick Williams. Duff Goldman is hosting Mimosas and Matinee Sunday.
Get your tickets online and see y’all there.