Sponsored By

Food in Fashion highlights brands, raises foundation fundsFood in Fashion highlights brands, raises foundation funds

Event by Greater Dallas chapter of the Texas Restaurant Association expands to Lubbock in March

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

February 24, 2023

2 Min Read
Freebirds Haus of Homage Greater Dallas Food In Fashion
Food in Fashion first-place fashion winner was Freebird's World Burrito and Haus of Homage in the Texas Restaurant Foundation benefit.Ron Ruggless

The unique Food in Fashion event, a fund-raiser for the Texas Restaurant Foundation and its ProStart culinary education program since 2017, will be expanding from Dallas to Lubbock, Texas, in March, according to organizers.

The sold-out Dallas event on Feb. 21 will be followed by the Lubbock edition on March 5 at The Funky Door. The Food in Fashion event was launched in 2017 and has raised more than $200,000 for the programs, presenters said. Tickets are still available.

Food in Fashion features catwalk models adorned by designers, which in the Lubbock version will include apparel design and manufacturing students from the Texas Tech University College of Human Services. The designs generally must include 20% of foodservice items from the participating restaurant.

The fashion show winner Tuesday in Dallas was Freebirds World Burrito paired with Haus of Homage. Second place was Weinberger’s Deli paired with Dallas College design students.

“We look forward to continuing our mission in ensuring that events like Food in Fashion and others help the Texas Restaurant Foundation and cultivating the future workforce for the hospitality industry,” said Corey Mobley, executive director of the regional chapter.

The Ben E Keith Culinary Cup Winner, which goes to an exemplary high school team for their menu items at the event, was Ben Barber Innovation Academy’s chef David Roberson and his students. The People’s Choice Winner for best appetizer was Big Al’s Smokehouse BBQ.

Restaurants participating in the Dallas fashion show included: Asian Mint, Big Al’s, CT Provisions, Dallas Culinary Co., Fletcher’s Original Corny Dogs, Hawaiian Bros., Henry’s Homemade Ice Cream, iFratelli Pizza, La Madeleine, Nena Postreria, Saint Rocco’s New York Italian and Weinberger’s Deli.

Restaurants scheduled for the March event in Lubbock include: Bubba's 33, Caprock Café, Expedition Cafe at Adventure Park, Funky Door, Main Event, Narrow Bar, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, River Smith's Chicken & Catfish and Table 82.

Here’s a look at the Dallas event in 2018.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

Subscribe Nation's Restaurant News Newsletters
Get the latest breaking news in the industry, analysis, research, recipes, consumer trends, the latest products and more.