
Southlake chef Scott McKinnon found fame on Gordon Ramsay’s MasterChef program and now creates exquisite culinary experiences for others









Southlake chef Scott McKinnon found fame on Gordon Ramsay’s MasterChef program and now creates exquisite culinary experiences for others
Welcome to October, the Southlake City Lifestyle food and drink issue!
Of course, October means Halloween, when the kids trick-or-treat, have spooky parties and dress up in their favorite costumes. This month, we take a look at all things Halloween, from the most popular Halloween candies, classic Halloween movies and ways to decorate for the occasion, to cool recipes you can try, courtesy of the Food Network. We hope the fun pictures included in this article will inspire your spookiest creativity!
This month, we also share the story of Southlake resident Scott McKinnon, who made his way to Fox TV’s MasterChef program with Chef Gordon Ramsay. What an exciting adventure! Scott tells us all about it, from his longtime love of cooking, his inspiration to try out for the show, how he was selected from thousands of potential contestants, to what he’s doing today. Scott has turned up the heat on his own business these days, creating unique culinary experiences, parties, events, private in-home tastings and more. His passion has led him a long way from cooking well-loved family recipes in his grandmother’s kitchen as a kid.
We also take a look at Grapevine’s JudyPie, which was named by USA Today as the #5 pie shop in the nation. Owner Judy Balunda keeps it sweet with her delicious – and beautiful – pies on Main Street in the heart of downtown Grapevine. If you haven’t been to JudyPie yet, you’ll want to stop by for a treat once you see the pictures of some of Judy’s most popular creations.
In this issue, you’ll also find fun articles on chocolate and wine, “eating pretty,” and dressing up your drinks.
Our usual columns feature all the local folks out and about doing great things in our City Scene section, and there are so many great October events coming up, we’ve tried to list as many as space permits. October is busy, so make your plans for a fun ride, from the Texas State Fair to Southlake Oktoberfest, as well as events featuring the arts, music, the famous Round Top, Texas, Antiques Fair and more.
Congratulations also go to Southlake’s Hometown Hero, 18-year-old Sam Watson, who brought home a bronze medal for speed climbing at the Paris Olympics. Way to go, Sam!
Southlake and the surrounding North Texas area have so much to offer, you’re sure to enjoy being a part of it all!
October 2024
PUBLISHER
Jon Calvin | jon.calvin@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Mandy Calvin | mandy.calvin@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Sally Crocker | sally.crocker@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Sally Crocker, Haley Williams, Hayley Hyer, Cate Marian
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier
Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.
Southlake’s own MasterChef
Chef Scott McKinnon
When
Grapevine’s JudyPie selected by
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COMMERCE
OF COMMERCE
1: Southlake Chamber of Commerce Relationship Networking Group, hosted by the Hilton Southlake Town Square. 2: Discover Strength ribbon cutting; the place for personalized, 30-minute strength training in person or virtually. 3: Dr. Rachael McCracken, Primary Care Simplified, recently addressed the Chamber’s Business Insiders Networking Group. 4: Chamber Chairman Kush Rao, Immediate Past Chairman Karl Chester and President/CEO Mark Guilbert meeting with the Nepalese American Chamber of Commerce-Dallas staff. 5: Mimi Tran (left) addressed Southlake Rotary on “The Servant Leader,” her cancer journey and founding Me Squared Cancer Foundation. 6: Southlake Rotary’s Small Business Spotlight of the Quarter honoree, Riya Shah, founder of Kaariga-Riya Crafts. 7: RYLA scholars Ridhi Nakula, Bhargav Reddy and Cris Schuetz recently spoke to the Southlake Rotary.
79 single-family custom homes built by Southlake’s premier builders
Each custom-built home offers unparalleled luxury features in a community designed for active lifestyles in a harmonious landscape
Perfect blend of luxurious elegance and convivence
Walking distance to a vibrant mix of shops, entertainment, and restaurants
The perfect balance of luxury and lifestyle
Congratulations to 18-year-old Sam Watson, who broke his own world record for speed sport climbing at the Paris Olympics and brought home a bronze medal! Watson, who made his Olympic debut this year, grew up in Southlake and is an American professional rock climber specializing in competition speed climbing.
Photography: Experience Southlake Facebook
October 5 at Sky Creek Ranch, Keller, benefitting Kids Matter International. Kids Matter International has been working every day to improve the quality of life of children living at or below poverty level since its inception as a non-profit organization in 2006. With your support, Kids Matter is able to make a difference and enhance the lives of more children, because all kids matter. Visit kidsmatterinter national.org for more information and to register.
Photography: Adobe Stock Photo
The August Southlake Chamber of Commerce Business Exchange was hosted by HarborChase of Southlake, where Chamber members were treated to tasty drinks and a Sam's Club food truck providing hot dogs and pizza. HarborChase of Southlake represents premier senior living in Southlake, Grapevine, Colleyville, Keller and beyond, offering assisted living and memory care services where residents can indulge in chef-prepared meals, enjoy beautiful living spaces and experience the hospitality and support of HarborChase.
Photography: Southlake Chamber of Commerce Facebook
ARTICLE BY SALLY CROCKER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SCOTT MCKINNON, RYAN DAVIS AND MASTERCHEF
CHEF SCOTT MCKINNON HAS COOKED FOR GORDON RAMSAY AND CREATES EXCITING CULINARY EXPERIENCES FOR OTHERS
Southlake resident Scott McKinnon built his passion for cooking at a young age. His great-grandfather owned five restaurants between Dallas and Houston from 1914-1930, and growing up, Scott spent time cooking with his grandmother, preparing the favorite family recipes that had been passed down from generation to generation.
You might have seen Scott on Fox television’s Season 14 MasterChef cooking challenge with the renowned Gordon Ramsay. Scott’s become quite the VIP lately, also recently making it to the semi-finals of celebrity chef Carla Hall’s online cooking competition, Favorite Chef, in which more than 86,000 chefs from around the world vied for the title. The competition raised over $4.7 million for the James Beard Foundation, one of the food industry’s largest charities.
Born in Houston, Scott moved to the Dallas area around age five. This local boy played football at TCU and met his TCU cheerleader wife there. His family moved to Southlake about 15 years ago. Scott’s daughter, Molly, who’s now a professional dancer, was captain of the Southlake Carroll Emerald Bells drill team that made it to the America’s Got Talent competition. His other daughter, Macy, is a food industry sales consultant who loves that her dad is now making a career of his lifelong passion for cooking.
Scott’s path to the TV screen goes back to early 2023. He had always been a fan of the MasterChef program and started researching how to apply. He made a video and sent it to the show. Within a few months, he was called by the MasterChef team. They were very interested.
Each day for six-months, Scott had to create a new video preparing a special dish, competing against tens of thousands of other MasterChef hopefuls. With the heat on, he was also running his own two businesses, as a sales and marketing consultant to large companies and as a private chef for events, corporate dinners, weddings, parties and more. What started as a fun side business has now grown into a major venture that fulfills both his cooking passion and his delight in sharing his personal creations with others.
Scott says his best moments happen when things are a challenge. He thrives on pressure, intensity and what he calls “walking a tightrope,” and what drives him is seeing people take that first bite as they savor the moment and great flavors.
In late October 2023, Scott received the news that he would be among about 100 cooks traveling to Los Angeles to compete in person for a spot on the show. He was one of 40 who made it onto the actual program. The season’s theme was “MasterChef Generations,” divided into millennials, baby boomers, Gen X and Gen Z, with Scott scoring in the top 10 of his category.
“I haven’t felt so alive since college football,” Scott said. “It was like pregame jitters and butterflies when the lights came on and the clock started ticking. To have Chef Ramsay tasting your food on national television was such an amazing experience.”
“I haven’t felt so alive since college football. It was like pregame jitters and butterflies when the lights came on and the clock started ticking.”
The show’s team loved that Scott is a Texas guy, and his signature dish - mustard-fried venison tenderloin, mashed potatoes, green greens and Southern cream gravy - was very well received.
Going on the show and gaining the momentum, confidence and experience of that awesome opportunity has shown Scott that he’s on the right track and has been a launching pad to grow his culinary business into a fulltime venture.
On Thanksgiving, he’ll be the Celebrity Game Day Chef at the Dallas Cowboys’ biggest game of the year, against the New York Giants at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium. He’s working on a menu now that will provide an elevated experience.
“I’m so excited to combine my love of food and football on such a special holiday,” Scott says enthusiastically.
He’s also taken on another new opportunity, curating and serving a special menu two to three nights a week at Southlake’s Roots & Water private wine club.
Scott’s passion for cooking comes naturally. Dallas’ McKinnon Street, near the Crescent Hotel, is named for his great-grandfather, who ran a restaurant there long ago. As a latchkey kid growing up in the 1970s and 80s, Scott would come home from school and whip up his own meal. Eventually, he took over preparing holiday dinners and special gatherings for the entire family.
Today, Scott says he will “go anywhere” to provide curated culinary experiences.
“Have knives, will travel,” he jokes.
He’s traveled as far as Las Vegas and Santa Monica to provide his culinary expertise, and one of his most unique experiences was preparing a corporate dinner at a ranch where he was greeted by two giant Texas longhorns and cooked from an enormous, open-flame grill.
Preparing for these types of culinary experiences takes time, and Scott personally shops for all the ingredients. He offers unique experiences with wine pairings, themed and seasonal dinners, and even hosts events in his own home.
“Private dinners offer a chance for a unique ‘chef theater’ experience. While you’re cooking, people are interacting and asking questions,” he says.
Scott hopes to get more involved in television in the future, even though his current schedule is fast-growing. Bookings are running several months ahead.
“I love it, and I can’t wait to see where it all goes from here,” he says.
For more information, visit chefscottymac.com .
Pairing wine and chocolate together can be a delightful sensory experience that can elevate the flavors of both. While the concept of pairing wine with food is well-known, pairing it with chocolate may seem unconventional at first. However, when done correctly, it can create a harmonious balance where the flavors of the wine and chocolate complement and enhance one another.
Wine and chocolate have a lot of similarities to each other. Both contain flavanols (antioxidants) and polyphenols (compounds found in plant-based food) that are good for you and have anti-inflammatory properties. These characteristics affect flavor so it’s somewhat challenging to pair wine and chocolate together. The more polyphenols, the more pronounced the bitter taste.
For example, if you sip a delicious dry red wine alongside a hunk of dark chocolate, the wine will start to taste bitter and sour. The taste imbalance is coming from the heightened levels of flavanols (different types of tannin) found in both chocolate and wine that end up clashing against each other on your tongue.
While it might sound counterintuitive, a good rule of thumb is to pair a wine that is “sweeter” than the chocolate itself. “Sweet” doesn’t refer to dessert wines alone. In the wine world, the term “sweet” is often used to denote ripe, fruit-forward flavors in a wine. These characteristics provide a nice balance to the bitter flavors of cocoa.
Both wine and chocolate can have intense, dry flavors. In order to find the right balance, it’s best to choose wines that are a little bit softer and juicier than the chocolate you’re pairing it with.
We’ve done the footwork to find several wines that partner well with chocolate. Here are our guidelines for matching chocolate with wine and a few of our favorite wine and chocolate pairings. We hope you’ll try them and then get inspired to experiment and create your own.
ARTICLE BY HALEY WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY BY CASSANDRA CASTANEDA
Bitter to semi-sweet dark chocolates, that are 50 to 100% cacao, have intense, bitter flavors, and earthy to fruity undertones. Match the intensity without adding more dryness by pairing these chocolates with full-bodied, yet fruit-forward wines.
Pairs well with:
Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Port, Merlot, Shiraz, Barolo
Milk chocolate is typically creamier and sweeter with flavors of brown sugar, vanilla, and cream. It requires a wine that is light to medium in body, with a ripe fruit character.
Pairs well with:
Pinot Noir, Merlot, Sweet Riesling, Ice-Style Wine
White chocolate has a sweet, buttery flavor with notes of cream and honey. Sweet white and rosè wines help cleanse the palate of the rich flavors from white chocolate, as does sparkling spumante like Moscato d’Asti.
Pairs well with:
Sweet Riesling, Moscato, Semi-Dry Sparkling Whites, Gewurztraminer
Home to several Fortune 500 companies, The DallasFort Worth metroplex is no stranger to cutting-edge innovation. Now, Colorado-based brand All Points North is bringing something new to DFW to help locals find total, sustainable health in mind and body.
With core behavioral health services from All Points North, neurotechnology and integrative psychiatry from Plus by APN, and mind-body group classes and personal training from 9x Fitness, All Points North (APN) Dallas-Fort Worth is a sanctuary of healing and recovery, dedicated to transforming the lives of those battling addiction, trauma, and mental health issues. This stateof-the-art facility combines luxurious accommodations with cutting-edge treatment modalities, making it a premier destination for comprehensive care.
Each APN Dallas-Fort Worth client receives personalized care tailored to their unique needs. The facility offers a range of services, including medically supervised detox, intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs, and innovative therapies such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS), stellate ganglion blocks, and ketamine-assisted therapy.
APN’s multifaceted approach addresses not only the symptoms but also the underlying causes of addiction and mental health disorders, paving the way for longterm healing.
The dedicated care team at APN Dallas-Fort Worth understands that achieving optimal health requires a comprehensive approach. There’s no silver bullet, and there’s no one-size-fits-all treatment. Total health requires a custom approach for the mind and the body. By offering so many mental health services under one roof, APN Dallas-Fort Worth makes it easy for the local community to prioritize health and well-being.
Schedule a free consultation at apn.com/southlake
When witches and goblins, monsters and creatures both friendly and scary, bring fun to your neighborhood, parties and trick-or-treating enjoyment
ARTICLE BY SALLY CROCKER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
MANDY CALVIN/ADOBE
STOCK PHOTOS/SALLY CROCKER
BOO! It's time for all things Halloween, and this month, we take a look at some of the most popular Halloween treats, traditions, party ideas, costumes and movies for 2024. Get ready for a spook-tacular time!
MOST POPULAR HALLOWEEN CANDIES
According to RealSimple.com, the top favorite Halloween candies, in order, are Reese's Peanut Cups, Kit Kat bars, Skittles, original flavor M&M's and Snickers. In Texas, Starburst candies are also a big favorite.
HALLOWEEN COSTUMES YOU'RE SURE TO SEE THIS YEAR
Barbie costumes are a sure hit for girls this year, and Deadpool costumes for boys are expected to make a big appearance. Likewise for Harry Potter, Bluey the popular cartoon puppy, Disney and Pixar costumes like the Minions, Wednesday Addams, Ghostbusters and Transformers, Spider Man, Sonic the Hedgehog and more. Witches, fairies, ninjas, dinosaurs, cowboys and bunnies are always favorites as well.
DECORATING FOR THE OCCASION
Halloween is a fun time to decorate, both outside and inside your home. You can go spooky, give your home a haunted mansion look, use harvest decor or just go for something eerie with fake spider webs, haunting music and spooky lights. There are many skeletons, scary pumpkins and other decorations or "creatures" you can buy ready made to simply set up in your yard and be ready to go.
For your inside decor, think plastic spiders and bats, pumpkin string lights, steaming cauldrons filled with dry ice and Halloween window stickers. Decorated pumpkins also make for a fun atmosphere - they can be silly or scary, it's up to you.
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When a rock 'n roll vampire teams up with a gangster, who knows what might happen?
HAVING A PARTY?
Crazy Halloween treats are always a crowd pleaser, especially with smaller children ... but adults like them too! Spider cookies are popular, and there are numerous recipes online for making them from scratch, using cookies like Oreos for your foundation and adding sweets like M&Ms to go wild, funny or seriously creepy. Witch finger pretzels can be a ghoulish but tasty addition to your treat displays as well. Eyeball or mummy cupcakes are easy to make - just google for different types of recipes. You can decorate donuts, brownies, Rice Krispies treats, popcorn cups, bananas, marshmallows and so much more - or go for healthy with a charcuterie board of fruits, nuts and vegetables styled like a pumpkin, witch or other Halloween character. Devilish eggs and sausage mummies can be cool tricky treats as well.
Party games can be super fun for kids, and there are so many you can try. From broomstick races, monster bingo and scavenger hunts to apple bobbing and pass the pumpkin contests, there are so many activities to keep kids active and entertained. It's all up to your imagination. For older kids and adults, why not try a fun game of monster charades?
FAVORITE HALLOWEEN MOVIES
Depending on age, some of the most popular Halloween movies are Hocus Pocus, Beetlejuice, The Nightmare Before Christmas,
Halloween, Haunted Mansion, Goosebumps, Edward Scissorhands, Frankenweenie, Little Shop of Horrors, Halloweentown, The Addams Family, Casper, Monster House, The Halloween Tree, It, Hotel Transylvania, Coraline and Fright Night, just to name a few.
The Food Network's website offers some of the most fun recipes, from mummy-inspired breakfast muffins and spiderweb treats to witches' cauldron party punch. The Food Network has assembled its Top 50 Halloween Recipes as chosen by fans - to find a multitude of favorite great inspirations, visit https:// www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/photos/ halloween-recipes.
Happy Halloween!
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Thinking about making some changes in your home? Dreaming about a new kitchen or bathroom you saw on Pinterest or Houzz? Whether it is changing your current look for more modern, clean lines, updating the traditional to more transitional,or simply making your space more functional, Creative Elements is ready to make your next step a reality
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ARTICLE BY HAYLEY HYER
KEEP YOUR PLATE IN STYLE WITH THESE FOODS THAT WILL HELP YOU LOOK AND FEEL GOOD
Vitamin A is essential to protecting the corneas of our eyes. By taking care of your corneas, you can extend the health of your eyesight and reduce vision loss with age. An easy way to remember what to eat for healthy eyes is to look for orange foods. Carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and butternut squash are all high in vitamin A.
(for one)
• 2 eggs
• Dash of flax milk
• Cumin
• Salt + pepper
• ½ sweet potato, cubed
• ¼ green onion, chopped
• ¼ cup spinach
• Handful of broccoli florets
• Ghee butter or avocado oil for cooking
TOPPING IDEAS
• Cooked salmon
PUMPKIN
SWEET POTATOES CARROTS
BUTTERNUT SQUASH
• Hot sauce
• Chia seeds or flax seeds
• Fresh parsley
1. Whisk together your eggs, milk, and spices.
2. Prepare a skillet over medium heat with your ghee butter or avocado oil. Cook the sweet potato, green onion, and broccoli for 5-8 minutes. Add the spinach and cook for 1 more minute.
3. Pour your egg mixture into the skillet and scramble together until the eggs are your desired texture, roughly 3 minutes.
4. Immediately add your cooked salmon, seeds, parsley, or hot sauce and enjoy while it’s still hot!
ARTICLE BY SALLY CROCKER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JUDYPIE WEBSITE AND FACEBOOK
GRAPEVINE’S JUDYPIE SELECTED BY USA TODAY READERS AND EDITORS AS NATION’S #5 BEST PIE SHOP
When Judy Balunda was growing up in Waco, Texas, her mother lovingly nicknamed her JudyPie. Judy enjoyed pretend cooking in her play kitchen – but what she most loved was sampling her mother’s wonderful, homemade pies. Her mother’s recipes have remained as family favorites to this day, passed on to Judy and her daughter Adohree (named for her grandmother Rhoda, with "Rhoda" spelled backwards and two "e's" added at the end).
Today – after a 28-year career as a special education teacher – Judy owns and operates the sweetest little shop on Grapevine’s magical Main Street called JudyPie, which was recently selected by USA Today readers and editors as the #5 pie shop in the nation. JudyPie was the only Texas pie shop nominated for this honor.
“Keep it sweet” is her motto, and it’s clear that a big part of Judy’s success is her caring attitude. She’s nurturing and friendly. She offers warmth, comfort and, of course, pie to her friends and customers, as well as a listening ear when they need it most.
Everything at JudyPie is made from scratch.
When Judy retired, she began baking treats for her son to take to work. A friend who sold cakes asked if Judy could bake some pies for Thanksgiving, and they quickly sold out. It was a family idea to build a JudyPie
“keep it sweet” IS HER MOTTO, AND IT’S CLEAR THAT A big part OF HER SUCCESS IS HER caring ATTITUDE.
home on Grapevine’s bustling Main Street. Judy wanted her pecan pie to be the specialty because of the memories she held dear – visiting her aunt’s house every Sunday, shelling the pecans from her yard, then going back to the house where her mother would bake them up. Her aunt often told her, “Someday, JudyPie, you will be the one to make these.”
There are family pictures on the walls of her shop. It’s a cozy atmosphere that gets people sharing their own family memories as they enjoy a slice of pie.
There are about 15 pies on the menu, which changes seasonally. If customers request a certain flavor, Judy is happy to oblige. There also cakes like German chocolate, carrot, red velvet, chocolate pudding cake, tiramisu and vanilla bean cheesecake. Judy even makes custom dog cakes. Delicious hand pies, house-made cookies and cinnamon rolls, stickie buns, pumpkin rolls and a flavorful strawberry whipped cream roll are also available with 24-hour notice. The pies are sold by the slice, in 4-inch tins and as full 6- or 10-inch pies. JudyPie also makes mouthwatering chicken pot pies and shepherd’s pies. The shop bakes for weddings, special events,
even holiday gift-giving, and the last Tuesday of each month is a special party, when guests come to play bingo and pie trivia over dinner and good conversation.
On every table in the shop are blank cards for customers to write a note of encouragement for someone struggling with mental health concerns, and instead of tips, they can donate to MHMR of Tarrant County. Judy and her team deliver donations, pies and personal items to MHMR patients each month. Judy’s always had an interest in the mental health field,
In everything Judy does, her nurturing spirit shines through.
Serving others, hearing their stories and sharing her own, while offering warmth from both the heart and the oven are the elements that make JudyPie so special.
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BOLD COLORS . Fresh florals. An eye-catching shimmer. The perfect embellishment. We’re talking cocktails, not the catwalk. But like fashion, the art of mixology is full of ways to push the limits with creative twists on classic recipes, and unique adornments guaranteed to turn heads. There’s no reason your personal style can’t extend to the drink in your hand, and this botanical beverage is bound to taste as delicious as it looks.
ARTICLE BY CATE MARIAN
• 2 ounces Absolut Citron
• 1/2 ounce Blue Curaçao
• 1/2 ounce lemonade
• 1 ounce Sprite
• Edible flowers such as rose, lavender, hibiscus and nasturtiums
Pour Sprite into ice cube trays and add edible flower combinations. Let freeze overnight.
Combine Absolut Citron, Blue Curaçao, lemonade and ice cubes in martini shaker. Shake and strain into a martini glass.
Allow ice cubes to melt, gradually filling the glass with Sprite and garnishing the drink with beautiful botanicals.
• thyme simple syrup
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 bunch thyme
• 2 fresh figs
• 3/4 ounce lemon juice
• 3/4 ounce thyme syrup
• 3/4 ounce Sprite
In a small saucepan, simmer sugar, water and thyme leaves over low heat for 5 minutes or until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let the thyme infuse into the syrup for at least 10 minutes.
For the cocktail, muddle figs and lemon juice in the bottom of a glass. Add ice, 3/4 of the thyme syrup and Sprite. Stir and garnish with fig and a sprig of thyme.
• 1 1/2 ounces premium vodka
• 1 ounce lemon juice
• 2 ounces purple shimmery liqueur
• Blackberry vodka
• Moscato wine
• Luster petal dust
• Sugar syrup (optional)
Combine blackberry vodka, moscato wine and pinch of luster petal dust to make purple shimmery liqueur. Adjust proportions depending on flavor preferences. Add sugar syrup to make it sweeter if desired.
Pour vodka, shimmery liqueur and lemon juice into a cocktail shaker. Shake well and pour into glass over ice.
• 2 tablespoons passion fruit
• 6-8 mint leaves, chopped, plus 2-3 small sprigs
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1/2 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 ounce club soda
Muddle passion fruit, mint leaves, sugar and lime juice in bottom of glass.
Fill with crushed ice.
Finish with club soda and stir.
Garnish with slice of passion fruit, pineapple and mint sprigs.
FIRST SATURDAY
Explore the arts behind the curtains
Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora St., Dallas | Tours at 10:00 AM & 11:00 AM
Held the first Saturday of every month. Take a free docent-guided tour of the beautiful AT&T Performing Arts Center venues, the Winspear Opera House, Wyly Theatre and more. Through Dec 1, 2024. All tours start in the Winspear Opera House lobby. Tours are 45 minutes long. No reservations required. attpac.org/event/first-saturday-tours-2024
FRIDAY NIGHTS
The Westin Dallas Southlake, 1200 E. State Highway 114, Southlake | 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Enjoy "Friday Nights at The Westin Southlake" live music series inside Curve Lounge. Great musical talents from the Dallas-Fort Worth area are featured weekly. No cover charge.
FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS
Wine & Chocolate Happy Hours
Downtown Grapevine, Main Street (tasting locations vary) | 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Perfect for any celebration, this walking tour visits two wineries along Grapevine’s historic Main Street and one boutique wine shop where guests experience a variety of wine and chocolate pairings. Guests will also learn the art of Sabrage (the opening of a sparkling wine bottle with a sword) and fun facts about Grapevine and the growing Texas wine industry. grapevinefoodtours.net
NOW THROUGH OCTOBER 20TH
2024 State Fair of Texas
3809 Grand Avenue, Dallas
The State Fair of Texas celebrates 138 years of Texan pride, with a return of all the favorite Fair time traditions, including foods of all types, musical entertainment, livestock, children’s petting zoo and a huge “Howdy Folks!” from the iconic 55-foot cowboy himself, Big Tex. Visit bigtex.com to see all of this year’s attractions and get ready for Texas-sized fun!
NOW THROUGH NOVEMBER 17TH
Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 North Harwood, Dallas
Explore the life of Frida Kahlo, one of the 20th century's most well-documented and enigmatic artists, and an architect of her own persona. Meet Frida as she saw herself. Composed of 60 works across media—paintings, drawings, prints and photographs—the exhibition will explore the life of one of the 20th century’s most well-documented and studied artists. Visit frida.dma.org/p/1 for tickets/information.
OCTOBER 5TH -6TH
Cottonwood Art Festival
Cottonwood Park, 1321 W. Belt Line Rd., Richardson
Cottonwood Art Festival is a juried semi-annual art show that features work from the nation’s top visual artists, and takes place on the first full weekend in May and October each year. October 5-6, 2024: Sat. 10 am -7 pm; Sun. 10 am - 5 pm. Featuring rows of art, children's activities, music, food and more.
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OCTOBER 5TH - 19TH
Round Top, Texas
The Original Round Top Antiques Fair is the show that started it all over 50 years ago! Shoppers can drive down Highway 237 for miles and shop the fields, barns and tents for antiques, art, decor and more. The show is comprised of two iconic venues, The Big Red Barn and The Continental Tent, offering the best in authentic antiques. roundtoptexasantiques.com/fall-show
OCTOBER 10TH - 13TH
Will Rogers Memorial Center, 3401 West Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth
The Christmas in Cowtown Holiday Gift Market presented by the Junior League of Fort Worth ushers in a magical holiday season at Fort Worth's Will Rogers Memorial Center. Over 250 unique merchants from across the country will be on hand, so you can shop with friends and family for a good cause benefitting various local charities and community partnerships. eventbrite.com/e/christmas-in-cowtownholiday-gift-market-2024-tickets-910989783967.
OCTOBER 10TH -13TH
Gruene, Texas
Over the years, this festival has become a popular, multi-day celebration of Texas and Americana music, featuring wine and beer made in the Lone Star State. Musical guests include Robert Earl Keen, the Randy Rogers Band, Nikki Lane and an all-new event on Oct. 13 with the best in Americana and country artists playing on two stages. gruenemusicandwinefest.org.
OCTOBER 11TH - 13TH
Oktoberfest Southlake
Southlake Town Square
Don't miss the Southlake Chamber’s 23rd annual Oktoberfest weekend festival in the heart of Town Square. Prepare for a lively extravaganza filled with the spirit of Bavaria and the essence of community. Complete with live music, delicious cuisine and a bustling marketplace. Admission is free, with free parking in Southlake Town Square's east and west garages. OktoberfestSouthlake.com.
OCTOBER 13TH
Dallas Cowboys vs. the Detroit Lions
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX | 3:30 PM
Events and times are subject to NFL flexible scheduling procedures. For more detailed information regarding scheduling for the 2024 NFL Season, visit nfl.com/schedules/flexible-scheduling-procedures.
OCTOBER 26TH
AT&T Performing Arts Center presents Reunion '85
Wyly Theatre, 2400 Flora St., Dallas | 7:00 PM Reunion ’85 is the party of a lifetime with an epic twist: choose a name tag, grab a drink and let the good times rock ‘n’ roll in a nostalgic celebration featuring comedy, scrunchies, dancing, shoulder pads and a live band playing 1980s chart-topping hits. Premium table seating available. attpac.org/event/reunion-85?pid=65600.
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Rewrite the rules of luxury with couture interior design.
Susan Semmelmann is the Owner and Lead Designer of Fort Worthbased couture interior design firm, Semmelmann Interiors. Known for her signature style, “organic glamour” which blends natural elements with luxurious materials, Susan and her team create spaces perfect for entertaining, hosting friends and family, and making a statement.