Events

Allen En Blanc – Dinner on the Diamond

Allen En Blanc is POSTPONED – it is with a heavy heart that the Allen Parks Foundation has made the decision to postpone the Allen En Blanc event scheduled for this coming Saturday, May 13th. Our community has suffered immeasurable heartbreak and loss, and we want to allow everyone the opportunity to mourn and heal. The APF Board of Directors will regroup and determine a new date for the event soon. We are so thankful for your support of the Allen Parks Foundation and this event – please hold onto your white attire and we will look forward to being together later in the year.


Bonjour! Welcome to the inaugural event of “Allen En Blanc – Dinner on the Diamond”, the new signature fundraiser for the Allen Parks Foundation. This event will take place on Saturday, May 13, 2023, beginning at 7pm. “Allen En Blanc” is a large chic dinner hosted in a unique public space in Allen, at a secret location to be revealed to attendees a week before the event. This will be a magical party atmosphere at an outside venue with music, fine dining, and specialty paired wines to be shared with new and old friends.

This special inaugural event is limited to 75 couples. Your ticket will include a cocktail hour with served hors d’ oeuvres and a complimentary glass of specialty wine. You will then be seated for a fantastic three station dinner, each with its own complimentary specialty wine pairing, and a selection of scrumptious desserts, all prepared by Chef Hugh Stewart. There will also be access to a cash bar. The cost is $150 per person or $275 per couple.  All proceeds will benefit projects of the Allen Parks Foundation, specifically the StoryBook Kiosks to be installed this year on the trails by the Stephen G. Terrell Recreation Center.

There will also be a drawing for several wonderful prizes. You can purchase tickets for the items in the drawings at the event check-in.  Additionally, this is an “invite only” event, and each person who purchases an event ticket this first year will have the opportunity to purchase in advance for next year’s event, as well as invite another person to have early access the second year.

In the event of rain or other inclement weather, an alternate location will be announced. No refunds will be issued for weather delay or change of date or venue.

EVENT GUIDELINES

We are confident you will thoroughly enjoy this unique and stylish dinner event.  However, in keeping with the theme of the event, below are the official event guidelines to ensure that all attendees are aware of what to expect:

  • All attendees must wear all white clothing; no exceptions will be made.
  • This is an elegant event and smart casual dress is required. Dressy shorts are permitted. Please honor the theme and do not attend in inappropriate clothing or clothing with color.
  • Accessories such as hats, belts, purses, gloves, shoes, etc. must be white. Silver and gold accents are acceptable (i.e. belt buckles, shoe buckles, jewelry, etc.).
  • Shoes must be mainly white – a small stripe or colored logo is permitted. New or clean tennis shoes will be permitted.  However, no other athletic gear or baseball hats are permitted.
  • Tables, chairs and white table linens will be provided by the Allen Parks Foundation. Attendees must provide their own plates, silverware, napkins and table décor which are all required to be white. Glassware for water and wine must also be provided by attendees, can be white or clear, AND MUST BE PLASTIC – plates and flatware do not have to be plastic but all glassware must be.
  • All items used to transport food, tableware, etc. must be able to fit under your table or be labeled with your first and last name so that they can be stored off to the side in a separate area after you have unloaded them.
  • All event attendees must check in at arrival and receive their seat assignment and directions for unloading. Attendees must sit in their assigned seats – since there is a large singular table, you must let us know when you register, how many will be in your party so that you will be seated together. If you wish to add any people to be seated with your party after you have registered, you must let the organizers know via email by 5pm on Wednesday, May 3rd so that you can be grouped with your friends prior to the seating being set.
EVENT QUESTIONS

If you have any questions, please contact the Allen Parks Foundation at events@allenparksfoundation.org.

ABOUT CHEF HUGH STEWART:

Chef Hugh Stewart has 20 years of experience as an Executive Chef at multiple 4 and 5-star restaurants. Chef Hugh began his career attending El Centro College, where he received the culinary training necessary to build his foundation for excellent cooking and management techniques. Following culinary school, Chef Hugh worked his way up the ranks at the highly acclaimed Jeroboam restaurant located in Downtown Dallas where he received his first position as an Executive Chef. Working under several highly accomplished chefs in Dallas, Hugh received extensive classical French training. Additionally, Hugh spent 5 years traveling and learning the cuisine of Central America and the Caribbean. He created dishes from the freshest fish and produce while combining the exotic flavors of Spanish and Caribbean cuisines. In addition to many other achievements, Chef Stewart has been recognized in the Dallas Morning News, D Magazine, and was a featured chef for the Texas Hill Country Food and Wine Festival. Chef Hugh was also a Chef at Chamberlain’s Fish Market where he worked with the freshest, flown in daily seafood with locally and regionally grown produce to prepare exquisite dishes that wowed guests and food writers on a nightly basis. Following Chamberlain’s, Hugh continued his career as a managing partner at Whiskey Cake for two and a half years until his son was born. He then took on a new role as a stay-at-home dad for six months, then rejoined the workforce at Brookhaven Country Club. Starting in February 2020, Chef Hugh connected with the Crest Auto Group family and has graciously lead the Crest Bistro to new heights.   Chef Hugh has now branched out on his own to open Fork & Glass Catering, where he is bringing his mastery and creativity to each home or office event.

REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT

Tickets will be on sale through April 26th. This event has limited availability and may sell out.

Sorry, ticket sales for this event have ended.

SPONSOR THIS EVENT

Since this is the first event year, we are offering one Sponsorship Level for $1000.

For your sponsorship, you will receive 4 tickets to the Allen En Blanc dinner party (all requirements for attire and items to bring apply). Your tickets also include the cocktail reception as well as recognition on our website for the remainder of this year, recognition on signage at the event, and verbal recognition during the event.

If you have any questions, please contact the Allen Parks Foundation at events@allenparksfoundation.org.

Deadline April 30, 2023

Sorry, the sponsorship deadline for this event has passed.

The Allen Parks Foundation is a non-profit organization under the Internal Revenue Code, Section 501(c)(3). Your sponsorship will fund the Storybook Trail to be installed at the Stephen R Terrell Recreation Center later this year, and if additional funds are raised, then they will go toward additional park enhancements at the discretion of the Board.

SPONSORS

Thank you to all our generous sponsors of the Allen Parks Foundation En Blanc event.

sponsor Allen Properties Online Allen Properties Online
sponsor CWD CWD
sponsor David Hicks Company David Hicks Company
sponsor Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP
sponsor Cave Realty Team Ryan Cave Realty
sponsor Terrell's Dry Cleaning Terrell’s Dry Cleaning