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Celebrity Chef Kent Rathbun Headlines Chef Lineup For Klyde Warren Park's 4th Annual Park & Palate


DALLAS, TX (September 26, 2018) – Klyde Warren Park has announced the full chef lineup for Dallas’ fourth annual premier food and wine festival, Park & Palate, presented by Republic National Distributing Company, on October 26-27, 2018. Imoto’s Kent Rathbun will serve as host chef for this event that highlights the city’s nationally-recognized culinary scene, along with the finest wineries, breweries and spirits, and the best in live entertainment-- all while raising funds for Klyde Warren Park. Over the course of the weekend, approximately 3,000 guests will gather at the Park for one of the most enjoyable events of the season. Proceeds pay for the hundreds of free programs and educational events throughout the year.

Recently honored by GQ magazine, Dallas has gained a reputation as the “Next Best New Food City,” and Park & Palate will help show us why.  Featuring an impressive two-part event, Park & Palate offers community-minded corporations, philanthropists and individuals the opportunity to experience Klyde Warren Park in a unique way. Rathbun will create a seated, three-course dinner for top sponsors at the VIP Event on Friday, October 26, while a wide range of hand-picked area chefs will provide all guests with unforgettable à la carte tastings under the stars. The evening will culminate with samplings from the Park’s most popular food trucks and dancing to Dallas’s current “IT” band, the Jordan Kahn Orchestra.

On Saturday, October 27, Klyde Warren Park will be teeming with tastemakers who have exclusive access to a special Grand Taste event. The city’s hottest chefs will offer bites paired with premier wines, spirits and locally-brewed beers, while expert speakers, one-of-a-kind activities and the cool tunes of DJ S.O.U.L.JAH round out the day.

“We are so proud of the evolution of this event and how it has grown to showcase our city’s nationally recognized culinary scene, while supporting this gem of a green space in downtown Dallas,” said Klyde Warren Park President Kit Sawers. “With the help of our generous Park & Palate honorary chairs and sponsors, we are excited to build on this event and raise funds to ensure educational and entertaining Park programming is provided to every socioeconomic group and generation in our community. USA Today called Klyde Warren Park the number one spot for free things to do in Dallas and the second-best city park in the country. We want to maintain that for not only the city of Dallas, but for all of North Texas.”

“I am honored to be involved in Park & Palate, hosted by and benefitting Klyde Warren Park,” said renowned chef Kent Rathbun who selected the team of participating chefs. “The Park has been a great addition to our city, providing a gateway from Uptown to Downtown and the Arts District. Park & Palate has the potential to become one of the country’s most popular food and wine festivals, right in the heart of Dallas.” 

Throughout the weekend, guests will have the chance to sample from local culinary greats such as Sebastien Archambault of The Mansion Restaurant, Ken Lumpkin of Musumé, Ryan Barnett of LARK on the Park, Jeff Bergus and Tim Mclaughlin of Lockhart Smokehouse, Jon Bonnell of Bonnell's, Tim Byers of Smoke, Carlos Capistran of Shinsei, John Coleman of Savor Gastropub, Robert Colombo of Peasant Pizzeria, Tiffany Derry of Roots Chicken Shak, Anthony Dispensa of The French Room, Graham Dodds of The Statler, Jared Estes of Water Grill, Omar Flores of Whistle Britches, Scott Gottlich of 18th & Vine, Dwight Harvey of Off The Bone Barbeque, David Holben of Del Frisco's Grille, Tim Hutchins of Hutchins BBQ, Luigi Iannuario of Da Mario, Paula Lambert of Mozzarella Company, Dan Maher of Troy's, Molly Mccook of Ellerbe Fine Foods, Danyele Mcpherson of HG Sply Co., Andrea Meyer of Bisous Bisous Pâtisserie, Paris Nava of The Rustic, Doug Pickering of Ferris Wheelers Backyard & BBQ, Meaders Ozarow of Empire Baking Company, Anastacia Quiñones of The Cedars Social, Eduardo Ramirez of Lovers Seafood & Market, Jeramie Robison of City Hall Bistro, Rich Rogers of Scardello Artisan Cheese, Nico Sanchez of Taqueria La Ventana, Ray Skradzinski of Republic, John Tesar of Knife Dallas, and Jacob Williamson of Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck.

Nancy Perot and Rod Jones will act as the 2018 Park & Palate honorary chairs. Chairs for this year’s event are Lyn and John Muse, Carolyn and Rob Walters and John Zogg, all longtime champions of Klyde Warren Park. Additionally, Perot and Jones are Pavilion level sponsors of the event.

"Rod and I are delighted to serve as the honorary chairs of Park & Palate,” said longtime supporter Nancy Perot. “This event showcases the extraordinary depth of talent we have in the food and wine industries here in Dallas, and Klyde Warren Park provides an unsurpassed central gathering space right in the heart of downtown. The Park has enriched the lives of Dallas citizens immeasurably and has brought an exciting energy and vitality to downtown Dallas."

For the fourth consecutive year, Republic National Distributing Company will serve as presenting sponsor. Sponsoring the event at the Premier level ($50,000) are Kathy and Greg Nelson; PwC; and VisitDallas. Those supporting the event at the Pavilion level ($25,000) include Nancy and Randy Best; Sheila and Jody Grant; Margot and Ross Perot; Nancy Perot and Rod Jones; Texas Capital Bank; TXU Energy; Carolyn and Rob Walters/Gibson Dunn; and Winston & Strawn LLP. The Boulevard sponsorship level ($15,000) features Gaedeke Group; HALL Arts Residences, HALL Arts Hotel, HALL Arts; Linda and Mitch Hart; Highland Capital Management; Jordan Kahn Orchestra; Locke Lord / Carol and Don Glendenning; The Muse Family Foundation; and Zephyr Gin.

Park & Palate will take place at Klyde Warren Park, located at 2012 Woodall Rodgers Freeway in Dallas. Grand Taste tickets are $75 for general admission and may be purchased online at www.klydewarrenpark.org. Proceeds will benefit Klyde Warren Park, which is managed by the nonprofit Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation.  For information about becoming a sponsor or supporter of Park & Palate, contact Jenny Ozee at jenny@klydewarrenpark.org.

Stay tuned as details on additional activities, parking, transportation and more will be announced in the weeks ahead. For more information, visit www.klydewarrenpark.org and follow Klyde Warren Park on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest Park & Palate updates. 

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ABOUT KLYDE WARREN PARK

Klyde Warren Park is a 5.2-acre deck park bridging uptown Dallas to downtown Dallas. The park is privately funded and operated by the Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation to connect the community and enrich lives through free, active programming and educational opportunities in a pristine and safe, centrally-located, entertainment-rich green space where everyone is welcome. Corporate partnerships and donations ensure that this mission will continue into the future. For more information, visit www.klydewarrenpark.org.

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