Media Contact: Cherie Yurco;
CMYurco@DallasCollege.edu
For immediate release — March 26, 2024
(DALLAS) — Bits & Bites — a celebration of Dallas’ culinary scene — returns to Dallas Arboretum’s A Tasteful Place on Sunday, April 21, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This annual event features students from Dallas College Culinary, Pastry and Hospitality programs working and learning alongside top Dallas chefs and serving more than 18,000 plates of food. Through Dallas College Foundation,
Bits & Bites ticket purchases provide funding for Dallas College student scholarships and programs.
According to Steve DeShazo, Dallas College senior director of workforce initiatives, this fundraiser is critical to training Dallas’ current and future professional culinary and hospitality workforce. “Bits & Bites exemplifies the work Dallas College does to connect our students to careers in the exciting culinary and hospitality industry,” he said.
The 2024 Bits & Bites honoree is Dr. Emily Williams Knight, president and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association. Knight lobbied tirelessly on behalf of the restaurant industry during the pandemic.
“Dallas College has trained professionals for the North Texas culinary workforce and top Dallas restaurants for over 50 years. Its alumni represent professionals across many segments of the culinary and hospitality industry who work hard to serve, feed our community and elevate Dallas culinary culture.”
More than 35 top Dallas chefs, including some who honed their culinary skills at Dallas College, will offer tastings at this year’s Bits & Bites. This includes Aaron Collins of
Café Momentum,
Sean Jett of
Humble: Simply Good Pies,
Aubrey Murphy of
SER Steak + Spirits,
Nikky Phinyawatana of
Asian Mint,
Andrea Saldana of SW Private Dining,
Marisca Trejo of
La Casita Bakeshop and
Adam West of
Local Yocal BBQ & Grill. See the
complete list of 2024 Bits & Bites chefs.
The 2024 Bits & Bites honoree is
Dr. Emily Williams Knight, president and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association. Her team works to protect, promote and advance restaurants in Texas as well as advocate for workforce development in the industry. Her tireless efforts were demonstrated during the pandemic, when she lobbied for federal support that ensured the Texas restaurant industry would survive.
Bits & Bites general admission is $85. This year, Partner, Patron and Friend ticket purchases earn VIP status that includes early entry, VIP parking, a champagne reception celebrating Dr. Knight and a one-of-a-kind thank you gift.
Bits & Bites tickets may be purchased online.
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About Dallas College
More than 35 top Dallas chefs will offer delicious tastings like these shrimp dishes during Bits & Bites.
Dallas College, formerly the Dallas County Community College District, was founded in 1965 and consists of seven campuses: Brookhaven, Cedar Valley, Eastfield, El Centro, Mountain View, North Lake and Richland. Dallas College offers online learning and serves more than 122,000 credit and continuing education students annually. Dallas College also offers dual credit for students in partner high schools and early college high schools throughout Dallas County. Students benefit from partnerships with local business leaders, school districts and four-year universities, and Dallas College offers associate degree and career/technical certificate programs in more than 100 areas of study, as well as bachelor’s degrees in education and nursing. Based on annual enrollment, it is one of the largest community colleges in the U.S.
About Dallas College Foundation
Celebrating its 50th Anniversary 2023-2024, Dallas College Foundation is an independent 501(c)3 whose mission is to advance economic mobility for students in our community by channeling the power of philanthropy to lift Dallas College to new heights of innovation, equity and excellence. Since its creation in 1973, the foundation has raised more than $103 million in private donations and distributed more than $65 million in scholarships and grants to support thousands of students at Dallas College.