Chefs For Farmers Food + Wine Festival returns to Dallas November 6–8, 2026, with the Main Event at Old City Park. Guests experience unlimited food and drink from Texas chefs who work directly with local farmers. This is a celebration of the people who grow the food and the chefs who turn it into something memorable. Take notes on this year’s dress code: cowboy festival chic! Make a weekend out of it, and grab tickets soon!

$10 from each admission ticket will be donated to The Seed Project Foundation. This North Texas nonprofit does quiet, meaningful work. Through their McKinney Roots farm, they grow fresh produce and eggs and get it directly to families who need it —week in, week out. They fund local initiatives, support agricultural education, and invest in the long-term health of their community. No fanfare. Just steady, consistent impact.

Check out the biggest names in DFW chefs here who are attending the events.

Under The Texas Sky

Thursday, November 5 | Far Out
Dinner: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Chefs For Farmers x American Airlines AAdvantage® Mastercard® credit cardmembers Exclusive Event

Join the crew for a locally inspired dinner featuring an all-star lineup of Texas chefs: Misti Norris, a multiple James Beard Award nominee; Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu of JŪN, the 2026 James Beard Award winners for Best Chef: Texas; and Ian Lanphear of Michelin-starred Isidore. Enjoy live music, delicious bites, and refreshing cocktails in the unique outdoor setting of Far Out, followed by a collaborative dinner showcasing Texas cooking through the distinct perspectives of chefs from across the state, with local sourcing at its center.

Main Event Details

Date: Saturday & Sunday, November 7–8, 2026

Hours (both days): VIP 2–6 p.m. 

General Admission 3–6 p.m.

Location: Old City Park (1515 South Harwood St., Dallas, TX 75215)

Ages: 21 and up. Valid photo ID required at entry

Dress: Cowboy festival chic (encouraged theme)

Main Event Tickets

Early Bird shows at checkout includes:

General Admission— $125 per day · $199 Weekend Pass through Oct. 16 ($145 · $249 after)

Available VIP — $175 per day through Oct. 16 ($195 after), includes early entry at 2 p.m. Sold out, except limited Sunday-only tickets.

VIP Sunday only — limited tickets available. Buy tickets

Click here for all ticket options.

(Note: Chefs For Farmers is an event restricted to individuals 21 and over. A valid photo I.D. is required for entry.)

Disclaimer: Dallas Food Nerd is a partner for this year’s festival.

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The post Save the Date for Chefs for Farmers, Nov. 6-8 appeared first on DallasFoodNerd.

Thursday, September 17, 2026 — today

It’s North Texas Giving Day. Communities Foundation of Texas covers the transaction and technology fees, so 100% of what you give online goes to the nonprofit. Hundreds of organizations still have matching funds available, which is an easy way to make a smaller gift go further.

This is not a ranked list. It is a starting point for food people who want a meal on the table, a second chance in a kitchen, or a local cause they already care about. Search, give, and if you have a favorite we missed, tag them.

Give here: NorthTexasGivingDay.org

Browse hunger and food-access groups: food-related search

Dallas LIFE Homeless Recovery Center

Start here if you want giving that is as basic as a hot meal and as lasting as a way out.

Dallas LIFE is the largest homeless recovery center in North Texas. A lot of the people who come through the doors are parents — working, raising kids, one missed paycheck from losing it all — looking for a place to start over with their children. That first night is a hot meal and a safe bed. What comes next is a 10-month Homeless No More program: counseling, medical care, job readiness, and a plan. Nine in 10 families who finish it never need a shelter again.

Today, every gift to Dallas LIFE is matched dollar for dollar, up to $100,000 already committed.

Donate to Dallas LIFE

Café Momentum

This is the food-world gift that is also a second-chance story.

Café Momentum is a nonprofit restaurant that runs a paid internship for justice-involved youth, ages 15–19. Interns rotate through the dining room and kitchen, re-enroll in school, and get case management and mental-health support along the way. Restaurant revenue only covers part of the program. Donors fund the rest.

Tonight is also Momentum Live, their biggest night of the year — and the last one at the downtown Pacific Avenue restaurant before the next chapter in the Wilson Historic District.

Donate to Café Momentum

Regional food banks

Think of these as one category: pick the food bank that covers your county.

North Texas Food Bank closes the hunger gap across 12 counties, including Dallas, Collin, and Rockwall, through nearly 500 partner pantries and direct feeding programs. They distribute more than 2 million meals a week. Every $1 donated provides access to 3 meals.

Donate to North Texas Food Bank

This year’s CANstruction Dallas is still at NorthPark Center through Sunday — giant sculptures built entirely out of canned food, themed “A League of UnCANny Villains.” After the exhibit, the cans go to North Texas Food Bank. Last year it raised nearly $28,000 and more than 117,000 pounds of canned goods. Every $5 donated helps NTFB provide access to 15 meals.

Support CANstruction Dallas

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Tarrant Area Food Bank (the Fort Worth-side food bank — not “Tarrant County Food Bank”) serves 13 counties, including Tarrant, Denton, and Wise. They provide more than 1 million meals a week through 450+ partner agencies. Their Ready to Learn markets put food in schools so kids show up ready to learn. Every $1 donated provides 5 meals.

Donate to Tarrant Area Food Bank

Same job. Different map. Give where you live.

Broadway Dallas

Dallas Food Nerd has an ongoing partnership with Broadway Dallas, the nonprofit that presents Broadway at the Music Hall at Fair Park.

Your gift supports more than the shows. Broadway Dallas education programs reach tens of thousands of students through High School Musical Theatre Awards, classroom partnerships, and community tickets. Through Broadway Dallas Cares, volunteers also help families in South Dallas in partnership with Jubilee Park.

Theater is not a food pantry. It is still a North Texas table a lot of us sit at.

Donate to Broadway Dallas

Chefs for Farmers

Dallas Food Nerd is not affiliated with these organizations. We have seen their work up close through Chefs for Farmers, where ticket proceeds have supported groups focused on farms, fresh food, and second chances.

• The Seed Project Foundation / McKinney Roots grows produce and pasture-raised eggs on a donation farm in McKinney and gets that food to families through Collin County partners. Donate
• Giving Tree Acres is a nonprofit farm growing food for underserved communities in DFW, with a focus on getting fresh produce into pantries, farmstands, and schools. Donate
• New Friends New Life restores and empowers trafficked and sexually exploited women, teen girls, and their children. The food tie-in is Liberty Street Garden, where survivors can earn a living wage growing produce. Donate
• Urban Harvest has also been a Chefs for Farmers beneficiary. It is Houston-based, so it is not a North Texas Giving Day gift — worth knowing if you give in both cities.

How to give (and make it count)

• Go to NorthTexasGivingDay.org
• Search your nonprofit. If a match is available, you will see it on the org page.
• Give today.
• Split a larger gift across a couple of causes if you want both hunger relief and something closer to home, like your ISD education foundation.

Then tell us where you gave.

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The post Where Food Nerds Can Give on North Texas Giving Day appeared first on DallasFoodNerd.

Thank you to Bowl Mami for partnering with Dallas Food Nerd to share their story!

Carrollton has built a reputation for its incredible international food scene, and we found a smoothie shop that definitely fits into the culture. I’ll spare you the blogger cliché of a “hidden gem,” but Bowl Mami is tucked away, making it a place you might easily miss if you aren’t looking for it. I’m happy to spread the word and hope you will too after your first visit!

What sets Bowl Mami apart is their commitment to freshness. Long before most of us are awake, their team is prepping a perfectly thick açaí base. Instead of relying on mass-produced frozen purees packed with artificial sweeteners and preservatives, they use natural sweeteners like agave and dates. This fresh base is paired with high-quality fruits and drizzles in their signature bowl creations, like the Endless Summer bowl, topped with granola, coconut shavings, pineapple, mango, and strawberries.

Beyond the açaí, their menu has smoothies, matcha, salads, and soups. For a light lunch, the avocado toast and soup combo is fantastic. I also highly recommend their sparkling fruit refreshers, available in mango, honeydew, and strawberry, which make for a fun, fizzy treat once you mix it together. I’m still personally exploring the world of matcha lattes, but their extensive selection gives me plenty to look forward to on future visits.

They are open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. While that might make a pre-work stop a little tricky unless if you’re an early bird, it’s a great spot for a midday lunch break or a relaxing weekend reset. It’s the perfect place to grab an iced matcha before you log some running miles, shuttle kids to practice, or catch up with friends.

Nerdy tip: Since everything is made to order, save some time by ordering pickup through their website or opting for delivery if you live nearby.

Having this spot right in my own backyard is a huge win for me. It’s become my new favorite whenever I need something genuinely nourishing and exceptionally well-made. Once you taste the difference that real, carefully prepared ingredients make, you’ll immediately understand why Bowl Mami in Carrollton will make you break up with your acai chain.

Bowl Mami is located at 2701 Old Denton Rd. #160, Carrollton, TX 75007

This post is sponsored by Bowl Mami. Follow us for more food nerd finds!

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The post Why Bowl Mami in Carrollton Will Make You Break Up with Your Açaí Bowl Chain  appeared first on DallasFoodNerd.

Just a few weeks to go until the gates to Scarborough’s Hollow open for the fall season! The home of Scarborough Renaissance Festival transforms into a world of fantasy, folklore and magic for five jam packed weekends. Bring the whole family for a fun scare and entertainment!

Scarborough’s Hollow’s second year brings a much larger and more immersive experience, including live entertainment, artisan shopping, seasonal food and beverages, themed environments, interactive experiences and new adventures throughout the village.

Highlights of experiences include:

• Blackthorn Haunted Castle
• Trickster’s 3D Fun House
• Secrets of Rottingwood Cemetery
• Mythical Monster Museum
• Pumpkin Garden
• Plus photo ops, skill games, live entertainment, artisan vendors, food, drinks, and more.

Tickets and more information can be found here. Use code FOODNERD for $5 off adult tickets (expires 11/1/26)!

Another new bonus to this year’s lineup is the Texas Mead & Music Festival on Saturday, Sept. 19. Doors open at 1pm for guests and at noon for VIP ticket holders. (Use code FOODNERD for $5 off adult tickets, expires 9/19!)

This one-day event features 13 Texas meaderies and tastings, five stages of live music, artisan shopping, mead education and several immersive attractions. Get a sneak peek at Scarborough’s Hollow while you’re there! A portion of proceeds benefit the Texas Mead Association, an organization whose mission is to grow and promote mead making across Texas. Check out the event page for real-time updates.

The fair grounds are located 2511 FM 66, Waxahachie, TX.

Dallas Food Nerd is an influencer partner for this year’s events.

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The post Scarborough’s Hollow Returns this Fall with More Entertainment and a New Mead & Music Festival appeared first on DallasFoodNerd.

Save the date for DFW Restaurant Week, Aug. 10 – Sept. 7! This year’s lineup includes over 175 participating restaurants offering incredible meals at a deal while giving back to the community.

The region’s largest annual culinary event is now featuring more than 175 restaurants, with several new additions since reservations first opened! Participating restaurants are across Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Denton and Rockwall counties.

Select restaurants are offering an early taste during Preview Weekend, Aug. 6-9. While the official Restaurant Week event spans one week, many participating restaurants extend their special menus through Labor Day, Sept. 7, giving diners even more time to savor exclusive prix-fixe meals while supporting two beloved North Texas nonprofits. Restaurants donate approximately 20% of the price of each Restaurant Week meal to either North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) in the Dallas area or Lena Pope in Tarrant County to help local families in need.

Restaurants offer at least one of the following dining options:

• Dinner – Three-courses for either $49 ($10 donated) or $59 ($12 donated)
• Signature Experience Dinner – $99 ($20 donated) – Exclusive VIP experience crafted for an especially memorable meal
• Lunch – Two-courses for $29 ($6 donated)
• Weekend Brunch – Two-courses for $29 ($6 donated)

Search restaurants and make reservations here.

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The post Let the dining begin! DFW Restaurant Week Gives Back to North Texas Food Bank and Lena Pope. appeared first on DallasFoodNerd.

Hey, State Fair fans! Get your taste buds ready! From chocolate corn dogs to soft serve ritas and a LOT more new menu items, the State Fair of Texas just announced the finalists for the 22nd Annual Big Tex® Choice Awards presented by Karbach Brewing Company. Winners will be crowned on Tuesday, August 18, in the categories of Best Taste – Savory, Best Taste – Sweet, Best Taste – Sipper, and Most Creative. We’ll be covering the event, so be sure to follow us on social media (@dallasfoodnerd) and @StateFairofTX for live updates!

If you’re wondering how this all works…

The competition received a record-breaking 77 entries from 46 different concessionaires earlier this year. This competition is only open to State Fair of Texas concessionaires with at least two years of experience at the Fair. Concessionaires submitted their original recipes and creative work to the fair’s blind judging process. Keeping this process anonymous ensures each entry is judged on its own merits.

From the 77 entries, 15 finalists were just announced today by the fair to advance to the next round for the coveted culinary titles. On August 18, a team of 35 distinguished judges will evaluate each dish based on four key Fair-food elements: taste, value, creativity, and fairgoer appeal. We can’t wait to see who will be crowded in each highly anticipated category!

Drumroll please…here are the 15 finalists competing for the 2026 Big Tex® Choice Awards titles. 

SAVORY

Burger Chop Tater Tacos, Tom Grace. A fresh burger patty is seared to perfection, chopped, and combined with sautéed onions and jalapeños. Topped with mozzarella and American cheese, the mixture is placed atop a bed of cheddar cheese tater tots formed into a taco shell and finished with buffalo buttermilk ranch coleslaw, garlic parmesan buffalo sauce, and more tots, making for the ultimate Burger Chop Tater Tacos! 

Dickel’s Texas Two Step Tacos, Dickel’s Smokehouse. The Dickel’s Texas Two Step Tacos are a bold, delicious taco duo that brings pure backyard flavor to every bite. The first taco features a fire-roasted jalapeño stuffed with juicy pineapple pork sausage and melted mozzarella, tucked into a warm blue corn tortilla with rich, charred flavor. The second taco brings the smoke, with tender-sliced brisket wrapped around a roasted jalapeño, layered with melted mozzarella, and served on a heat-kissed yellow corn tortilla finished with crisp purple pickled onion and a drizzle of sweet, smoky barbecue sauce or house made Lone Star Habanero Fuego. 

Flamin’ Crunch Pizza, Tom Grace. The Flamin’ Crunch Pizza consists of hand-tossed, fresh-made pizza dough topped with a jalapeño cheddar queso base and covered with a freshly grated blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheese. After baking to perfection, the pizza is topped with handfuls of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos®, a drizzle of jalapeño queso blanco and house-made buffalo buttermilk ranch dressing, and a hefty sprinkle of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos® dust over the entire pizza!

Golden Crunch Melt, Tony & Terry Bednar. Get ready for the ultimate Texas fair-food crunch! A tortilla brushed in a signature seasoned butter oil and grilled to a crispy golden finish is packed with juicy marinated chicken pastor, fire-roasted peppers, caramelized onions, smoky chipotle mayonnaise, melted three-cheese blend, and crispy potato strings in every bite and finished with a signature smoky chipotle crema. The result is the perfect combination of crunch, creamy heat, and cheesy goodness – the Golden Crunch Melt! 

Nacho Wings, Cody & Lauren Hays. Get ready for the ultimate flavor explosion! Nacho Wings are crispy chicken wings tossed in zesty taco seasoning, smothered in creamy nacho cheese, and piled high with cilantro, green onions, cotija cheese, tomatoes, pickled red onions, and jalapeños. Served on a bed of hot, golden fries and drizzled with ranch, this larger-than-life creation brings together Fair-food classics: nachos, wings, and loaded fries in one wildly delicious bite! 

SWEET

Berry Me in Matcha, Stephen El Gidi. Introducing Berry Me in Matcha — a luxurious flavor experience that fuses creamy cheesecake indulgence with bold Japanese-inspired flair. This rich New York-style cheesecake is hand-dipped in silky Belgian white chocolate, rolled in crushed matcha cookies for a delicate earthy crunch, then drizzled with luscious white chocolate and sweet strawberry jam. Finished with a fresh strawberry slice on top, every bite delivers the perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, fruity, and sweet matcha bliss. 

Fernie’s Frozen Espresso-tini Bar, Christi Erpillo & Johnna McKee. This espresso martini popsicle delivers rich, divine indulgence in a perfectly frozen form. Robust cold-brew espresso is blended with a spirited kick of Fernie’s Funnel Cake Cream Cocktail, creating layers of deep coffee flavors and hints of vanilla. Each Fernie’s Frozen Espresso-tini Bar is artfully drizzled with ribbons of chocolate shell coating, hardening into a delicate, crackable bite, making for the ultimate pick-me-up on a stick! 

Fletcher’s Chocolate Corny Dog, Beck Fletcher. The Fletcher’s Chocolate Corny Dog consists of smooth milk chocolate fudge hand dipped in Fletcher’s famous Original Corny Dog batter and is deep fried until golden perfection. Topped with a drizzle of yellow vanilla icing and served with raspberry compote for a sweet twist on the iconic Corny Dog. One bite and you’ll taste why this sweet treat is top dog! 

Holy Flan! Buñueloco, The Garza Family. Indulge in a sweet celebration of tradition and creativity with Holy Flan! Buñueloco. This sweet treat starts with a warm, crispy buñuelo bowl filled with creamy, homemade arroz con leche and a scoop of premium cinnamon Blue Bell® Ice Cream. The highlight is a decadent, deep-fried flan encased in a delicate puff pastry shell, topped with fluffy whipped cream topping and a rich caramel sauce drizzle for a perfect harmony of textures. 

Texas Pecan Praline Cheesecake Cone, Brad Weiss. A warm waffle cone fresh off the iron is dipped in white chocolate, rolled in buttery Texas pecan praline, crushed Biscoff® cookies, and freeze-dried strawberries, and filled with homemade, creamy scoopable cookie butter cheesecake. The Texas Pecan Praline Cheesecake Cone is topped with a pinch of sea salt, whipped cream, Biscoff® crumble, warm cookie butter drizzle, white chocolate sauce, and finished with a signature Biscoff® cookie, making for one unforgettable State Fair bite. 

SIPPER

Corn Flake Shappé, Milton & Gracie Whitley. Forget the bowl and grab a straw — the creamy Corn Flake Shappé blends toasted corn flakes into a rich creation with silky dulce de leche, buttery Texas pecan notes, and a signature blend of warm spices. Finished with whipped cream, golden corn flake crunch, sweet strawberry crumble, and a dusting of powdered sugar, this creamy-and-crunchy sip is ready to cereal-ously two-step its way into your favorites. 

Nevins Soft Serve Peach Bellini Float, Tami & Josey Nevins Mayes. Feeling nostalgic? Revisit this childhood classic—now with a boozy twist! The Nevins Soft Serve Peach Bellini Float featuring rich, creamy peach bellini soft serve infused with sparkling wine, topped with sparkling sugar and grated frozen peach for the perfect balance of sweet, creamy, and bubbly flavors. Finished with a sugary-sweet golden topping, this boozy float is a sophisticated spin on a childhood favorite that’s sure to raise a glass to Fair fun.

Rousso’s Bacon Jam Caramel Apple Hard Cider, Rousso’s Concessions. Straight from Deep Ellum, the Rousso’s Bacon Jam Caramel Apple Hard Cider is crafted with hints of apples, caramel, churros, cinnamon sugar, and a smoky bacon jam twist for bold Texas flavors that hit your sweet, salty, and smooth cravings all at once. 

Sunset Soft Serve Rita, Dwania Morris. The Sunset Soft Serve Rita combines a strawberry and mango margarita with vanilla soft-serve ice cream, a bold Tajín® rim, rich chamoy drizzle, and a crunchy hot honey Tajín® topping for the perfect balance of sweet-heat indulgence. This over-the-top frozen creation blends creamy tropical flavors with spice and irresistible texture in every bite. 

Tropical Coco Fresca, Fruteria Cano. The Tropical Coco Fresca is a layered pineapple-watermelon agua fresca with chamoy lava Tajin® rim, paired with a scoop of icy coconut snow that melts into a creamy tropical explosion of flavors, sure to keep you cool in the Texas heat! 

SEMI-FINALISTS

The State Fair of Texas also recognizes this year’s semi-finalists whose innovative entries will still make their debut at the 2026 State Fair, as new foods. Don’t miss out on these tasty bites and sips at the fair this year!

• All Shook Up 
• Butter-Dipped Toffee Crunch Nutty Bar 
• Deep Fried Thai Tea Tres Leches Cake 
• Dirty Dr Pepper® Do-Si-Do Float 
• Fried Gobbler Roll 
• Layered Mango Strawberry Shortcake 
• Limonata Fresca Float 
• Loaded Lone Star Rings 
• Love Me Jam Sandwich 
• Matcha Parfait 
• Midnight Ruby Rush 
• Soft Serve Smoked Peach Bourbon Smash 
• The Niece  
• Triple Chocolate Flautas 
• Twinkle Twinkle Brisket Star 

The 2026 State Fair of Texas, themed “Stars, Stripes, & Howdies,” will open on Friday, September 25, and will run through Sunday, October 18. Tickets: BigTex.com/Tickets

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The post A delicious lineup of finalists announced for the 2026 Big Tex Choice Awards appeared first on DallasFoodNerd.