Legendary Chef Dean Fearing to Feature his Southwestern Culinary Favorites at the Equest 40th Anniversary Gala
Equest’s 40th Anniversary Gala is excited to announce that famed Chef Dean Fearing will create a multi-course gourmet dinner menu to complement the boot-stompin’, high-energy fundraiser. The “Father of Southwestern Cuisine,” often seen donning a signature crisp white chef’s coat with jeans and custom-made Lucchese cowboy boots, is a match made in heaven for this stellar Southern soiree. Expect to see Texas Wagyu Brisket and Granny Fearing’s “Paper Bag Shook” Fried Chicken with classic southern sides of jalapeno grits, Gun Barrel greens, and pickled okra on the menu, among other Texas favorites.
Chef Dean Fearing’s legendary cooking and infectious charisma have long captured the attention of a worldwide audience. An accomplished James Beard award winner, cookbook author, and successful restaurateur, Dean’s namesake Fearing’s at The Ritz-Carlton in Dallas has become one of the most critically acclaimed restaurants in Texas, recognized as “Restaurant of the Year” and “Table of the Year” by Esquire Magazine, as well as #1 in Hotel Dining in the U.S. by the prestigious Zagat Survey. He authored The Texas Food Bible, a cookbook of his favorite local delicacies from the Lone Star State as well as recipes inspired from his grandmother who understood and appreciated the finer details of Southern cooking and barbecue. He is also the creator of Dean Fearing’s Sauce Collection of exclusive Texas-inspired soup, sauces, and condiments sold in Central Market, Neiman Marcus, and fearingsrestaurant.com.
Equestrian couture will replace tuxedos and gowns, and magnolias will adorn the transformed arena for the Equest 40th Anniversary Gala. The evening, led by Co-Chairs Lisa and Kendall Laughlin and Katherine and Austin Wyker, will feature a welcoming cocktail reception, seated deluxe dinner, live and silent auctions, and a performance by the energetic 11-piece Walton Stout Band of the Jordan Kahn Group. All of Equest’s precious partners, clients, friends, and Hoofed Health Care Heroes – the beloved therapy horses – will unite to celebrate the achievements of Equest’s 40-year history and raise much-needed funds to allow Equest to continue its life-changing impact.
Equest’s 40th Anniversary Gala: Celebrating 40 Years of Horse Power will be held on Saturday, June 5, 2021, 6:00 to 11:00 p.m., at its newest facility, the Al Hill, Jr. Arena, at Equest at Texas Horse Park (811 Pemberton Hill Road, Dallas, TX 75217). Underwriting opportunities are available at various levels. Tables for 10 are available to purchase starting at $5,000 and individual tickets for $250 at www.equest.org/gala. For more information, please visit www.equest.org or call 972.412.1099.
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About Equest
Founded in 1981, Equest provides equine assisted learning, therapies and counseling to children and adults with physical, cognitive, sensory, coping and learning disabilities, as well as veterans and their dependents who receive all of Equest’s services at no charge. The services provided include physical and occupational therapy, equine facilitated counseling and equine assisted learning, therapeutic carriage driving, therapeutic horsemanship and competition. With the help of 30 therapy horses, eight instructors, four therapists, three counselors, and 700 volunteers, lives are changed for more than 2,000 served annually. Equest was the first PATH International Premier Accredited Center in Texas and remains one of the largest in the country. Equest offers an engaging volunteer program that provides 30,000 hours of direct program service opportunities each year. www.equest.org
About Equest 40th Anniversary
The 40-year history of Equest is how legends are made. Founded in 1981 by Evelyn Zembrod and Susan Schwartz under the name Freedom Ride Foundation, the organization began with just one instructor, one horse, two riders, and four volunteers. Over the next four decades, Equest evolved into a world-class therapeutic equestrian center, the first in Texas. It expanded its therapeutic programs, received premier accreditation by industry association, and began entering prominent riding competitions, including World Championships and Paralympics, on behalf of Team US. Of the twenty-four PATH Intl. Certified Master Instructors across the world, Equest is home to three. Equest’s international reputation even initiated a visit from Princess Anne and, most recently, members of the World Affairs Council Visiting Leadership Program representing seven countries. For a detailed timeline of Equest’s history, please click here.
2021 will be celebrating Equest’s landmark 40th anniversary all year with a series of events including the launch of a new monthly giving campaign, the opening of a new arena, an emotionally- powerful gala that will pay tribute to Equest’s past, present, and future, and a special veterans initiative produced by Equest’s Hooves for Heroes. To mark its 40th year, Equest designated the Magnolia, a symbol of longevity, nobility, perseverance, and purity, as its signature flower and re-occurring theme throughout the year. For more information about Equest and its landmark 40th Anniversary, please visit www.Equest.org.