Amy Severson, keeper of The Dallas Cook Book, has done her good deed for the year -- which year, you decide. Today she writes of a very special something she received from City Hall: "a City of Dallas Special Recognition for Helen Corbitt, with a gold seal, red ribbons, the whole shebang." Severson had inquired earlier this year whether the city had ever officially bestowed any honors upon Dallas's first celebrity chef -- who was "to American cuisine what Julia Child is to French" and Texas's "Tastemaker of the Century" -- and, hot dog, before year's end comes the Mayor Tom-signed seal of approval. For which Severson deserves an extra bottle of Champagne, at least. And have yourself some poppy-seed dressing, while you're at it. --Robert Wilonsky

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