Big-hearted Chefs rally for a friend at DUO
Restaurant mogul Danny Meyer explains that “hospitality is not what is done to you, but for you.” And there are few events that display the kind of hospitality shown this past weekend at the Sunday Chef Mix at DUO.
When Jackson, Lisa Moore and Tim Lavender of Dallas’s new lifestyle management company FLUENT learned that a friend could use some help, they rallied the culinary troops and organized a magnificent tasting event to raise some money. In the words of Chef Mark McDaniel, “it was a no-brainer” when it came to participating, for the friend in need was Dallas’s beloved Camilo Calderon, Banquet Manager at The Adolphus Hotel and formerly of Stephan Pyles, Samar, and Dish. This remarkable gentleman inherited four beautiful children this month, in addition to his own two, when their mother - his sister - lost her battle with gastric cancer.
Jackson, Garrett Walker, beneficiary Camilo Calderon, Lisa Moore and Tim Lavender
DUO, All Things Culinary’s Tracy Rathbun and Lynae Fearing provided the unique venue, and Dallas Chefs Tim Byres, Katherine Clapner, Joel Harloff, Mark McDaniel, Jeff Moschetti, Scott Tobey, Jon Thompson, Justin Box, Lance Smith, and Ke’o Velasquez all prepared tastings at individual stations, some of them arriving directly from brunch service for what would be their only evening off for the week.
Proceeds from event admission, the silent auction of items from additional Dallas restaurants and chefs, and from items sold at DUO that evening went to help the Calderon family. Glazer’s provided wine for the guests to enjoy during the event.
Camilo Calderon glowed at the event calling it, “Phenomenal”. He proudly pointed out his new charges and choosing to enjoy the many blessings of good friends, family, and the supportive Dallas community surrounding him.
Donations to the family can still be made by contacting Lisa Moore at [email protected] or 214-459-8009.
photo: Shana Anderson
