In 2021, Piehole Project returned with a twist, bringing Dallas’ top chefs together for one unforgettable night. On October 28, Piehole Project Live! The Variety Show took over On the Levee in the Design District, combining world-class food with captivating live entertainment, all in support of the FestEvents Foundation.
A Night of Flavor and Fun
More than a dozen of Dallas’ best chefs, including award-winners like Anastasia Quiñones-Pittman, Bruno Davaillon, and Matt Balke, prepared exclusive dinners for 12 guests each within their own mini kitchen theaters. Guests were treated to an up-close, interactive culinary experience as these chefs whipped up masterpieces right in front of them. But the excitement didn’t stop with the food—entertainers such as comedians, magicians, and even an aerialist wowed the crowd from a center stage, making it a true variety show.
An Event with a Purpose
More than just an exciting evening, Piehole Project Live! was created to raise funds for the Chefs for Tomorrow Scholarship, which supports culinary students in their educational journeys. With individual tickets priced from $300 to $500, and table sponsorships ranging from $2,500 to $10,000, the event attracted both food lovers and those eager to make an impact on the restaurant industry’s future.
Here’s a breakdown of the sponsorship levels:
- Promote ($2,500): One scholarship in the sponsor’s name, two tickets to the show, and logo placement on the website and bidding platform.
- Inspire ($5,000): Two scholarships in the sponsor’s name, a table for six, and logo placement, with the added perk of choosing the chef.
- Elevate ($10,000): Three scholarships, two tables of six, and an exclusive pie buffet for 20 people on Pie Day (March 14, 2022).
All sponsorship levels included right of first refusal for 2022 sponsorships, ensuring those dedicated to the cause could continue their support.
The Second Annual Pie Auction
The Piehole Project pie auction also returned, bigger and better than ever. From October 18 to 28, bidders vied for pies donated by some of Dallas’ most distinguished chefs, including Junior Borges of Meridian, Dunia Borga of La Duni, and Matt McCallister of Homewood.
The auction, conducted online, wasn’t limited to pies—unique items like cooking alongside a chef were also up for grabs. The success of the auction was undeniable, raising $14,000 to support five culinary students: Jackson Yarbrough, Le Bich Ngoc Vo (both from UNT), Tyrone Crawford, Ogechi Melkam, and Marixa Hernandez (all from Dallas College).
FestEvents Foundation: Supporting the Industry
Piehole Project Live! is an extension of the work being done by the FestEvents Foundation, which was established by Alison Matis and Cheryl Weis in 2019 to support workforce sustainability and development in the restaurant and hospitality industries. Matis, a Culinary Institute of America graduate, and Weis, a Le Cordon Bleu alum, saw firsthand the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on the restaurant industry, and they’ve been dedicated to giving back ever since.
In 2020, the pair created Staff Meal, a community-driven initiative that provided over 50,000 meals to restaurant workers left jobless by the pandemic and continued to serve meals to Dallasites during Winter Storm Uri in early 2021.
The Piehole Project continues to be a shining example of how food, creativity, and community can come together to make a real difference.
To support the Chefs for Tomorrow Scholarship or learn more about FestEvents Foundation, visit https://festeventsgroup.com.
