Taste of Dallas Returns with Food Trucks, Craft Beers,
Indoor Restaurant and All-new Kids' Area
Source: Taste of Dallas
Dallas | June 28, 2012
Hot chefs, cool facilities make Taste of Dallas a culinary event for the whole family
“Eat. Drink. Shop. Repeat.” Taste of Dallas is a slice of life in North Texas and this year’s 26th annual event is packed with all the food and fun that can fit into Fair Park. With new areas devoted to food trucks, craft beers and wine tasting, an indoor restaurant tasting experience and an all-new area devoted to pint-sized Taste attendees, it’s a recipe for success that tastes as sweet as the goodness being cooked up. This year’s event is slated for July 13-15 in Dallas’ own Fair Park, offering up a weekend of activities for everyone in the family.
“Taste of Dallas adds something new each year to reflect the variety that we have here in North Texas,” said Scott Farace, general manager of Taste of Dallas. “We’ve got great new restaurants, high-profile chefs, entertainment, kids’ activities and more to entertain the whole family.”
In downtown Dallas, Fair Park offers a chance for participants to enjoy the hot chefs and cool facilities, with more than 150,000 square feet of indoor space. There is no better way than Taste of Dallas to try foodie fare from more than 60 of Dallas’ best restaurants: with no entrée more than $3, participants have the opportunity to savor plenty of different tastes without breaking the bank. Sample the best from J Black’s, Nuevo Leon, RJ’s, Pho Colonial, the Cake Ball Company, Texas de Brazil and much more.
At the heart of Taste of Dallas are the chef demonstrations from high-profile chefs, teaching everyone their hard-won secrets behind their favorite recipes. This year, the chefs will cook to music in genres they have chosen, from classic rock to country to bluegrass and opera and everything in-between. Chefs include Anthony Van Camp from SER Steak & Spirts at Hilton Anatole, David McMillan from Screen Door and The Commissary, Chef John Franke from Frontburner Restaurants, David Smith from Westin Galleria, Gerard Thompson from Rough Creek Lodge, Matt Mortimer with Blue Goose and Aw Shucks and more. Each chef demo includes an exciting demonstration and complimentary sampling from their exclusive restaurants.
Taste of Dallas debuts Taste Tavern this year, a new beer and wine tasting area for those interested in all that Texas craft beers and wines have to offer. For 21 and up only, this is the largest gathering of beer and wine tasting that Taste of Dallas has ever offered, with beer and wine hand-selected by some of the area’s top beer and wine experts for a tasting experience like no other. More than 100 beers and 50 wines will be available for sampling. Also debuting this year is Taste of the Town, an indoor restaurant tasting experience that’s the ticket to experience fare from some of the area’s best restaurants in an indoor setting, where restaurants such as Baboush, Medina, Ketchup, House of Blues, Mesa Veracruz, J. Black’s and 1832 Steakhouse will offer up featured dishes for sampling and tasting on Saturday and Sunday. Also new this year is Taste Curbside, a collection of some of the most sought-after and unique food trucks, including: Durty Laundry, The Butchers Son, Nammi Truck, Gandolfo's New York Deli and RockStar Bake Shop, among others. The only thing faster than this food on wheels is its growing popularity!
Taste of Dallas satisfies the appetites of all ages. In addition to the tasting opportunities, Taste of Dallas offers a slice of life in Dallas. From as-yet-undiscovered artists to interactive sponsor experiences, cartoon characters and rides for the kids, to culinary artisans selling kitchen wares and products like handmade olive oils, there is always something to learn, see, experience, and do around every corner at Taste of Dallas.
Nothing goes better with good food than great music and entertainment. Friday night will feature Back in Black, the AC/DC tribute band, and Hysteria, the Def Leppard tribute band, to play some of the greatest songs in rock and roll. The 1980s will rule on Saturday, as Live Eighties and La Freak light up the main stage.
Pint-sized foodies can explore Kids’ Taste Town, an interactive food-themed experience for children of all ages. At more than 70,000 sq. ft., every kid will relish in the wall-to-wall fun of carnival rides, demonstrations, games and activities that can only be found at Taste of Dallas. The Sweet Factory inside Kids’ Taste Town is where the pure magic of candy will come to life in a Texas-sized fantasyland, filled with colorful marshmallow men, ice cream fountains, chocolates of every size and flavor and lollipops larger than your head. Both kids and adults can cap off all that fun with a ride on the outdoor zip line or in the giant bubble balls!
To savor the flavor of Taste of Dallas after the event is over, attendees can visit the Taste Culinary Marketplace and take home some of the ingredients for their next great meal. From cookware to cutlery, handmade olive oils to jellies and jams, salsas to sauces, attendees will find unique, handmade products that you can’t find on every supermarket shelf.
Taste of Dallas continues to support the work of the American Heart Association, which is Taste of Dallas’ official non-profit partner. American Heart Association will offer free screenings, entertainment, and heart-healthy education at the event.
The 26th Annual Taste of Dallas is Friday through Sunday, July 13-15, 2012, in Dallas’ Fair Park. Parking is available for purchase in Fair Park, or attendees can ride the DART Green Line, which stops at the front entrance to the event. Hours are 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $8 per person at the gate, with free admission for children under the age of 12. Military and former military personnel and one guest can receive free admission on Friday, July 13th, by showing a military ID at the gate. To receive more information, please visit www.tasteofdallas.org. Become a Taste of Dallas Taste Bud for free by signing up on the site under the “Promotions” tab. Get all the latest news and Taste happenings by becoming a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/tasteofdallas.org. Vendor inquiries should be directed to the appropriate contact found on tasteofdallas.org by clicking “Contact Us.”
