Brussels sprouts—smoked, charred, covered in bacon. It doesn’t matter how they are prepared; they remain the darling veggie. But one non-profit, Promise of Peace Gardens (P.O.P.) gives the spotlight to another veggie: okra. That’s right, okra.
September 17th P.O.P hosts its 8th annual fundraiser, Okrapalooza at the dog and kid-friendly The Lot in East Dallas. From 11a-2p twenty celebrity chefs will create their best okra dish for guests to taste.
Beautiful okra dish. Photo credit: Allison McClean; Okrapalooza 2014.
The Chefs include last year’s winner, Chef Peter Barlow of Flora Street as well as Chef Graham Dodds, The Statler; Chef Mark Wooton, Garden Café; Chef Thomas Archer, 3015 at Trinity Groves; Chef Daniel Pittman, Luck; Chef Anastacia Quinones; Chef Ryan Barnett, Lark on the Park; Chefs Noelle Hendrix and Nick Amoriello; Chef Uno Immanivong, Chino Chinatown and more!
Five celebrity judges will choose one top chef while guests will award the People’s Choice award. And in case you were wondering if there will be anything else to eat besides okra, Elizabeth Dryer, founder of P.O.P. promises me that we can expect much more!
Okrapalooza supports P.O.P. Gardens and its comprehensive programming aimed at restoring urban communities while making sure that all have high quality nutritious food on their plate. P.O.P. transforms unwanted land into thriving gardens and teaches low-income families about sustainable living. Portions of produce grown in P.O.P. gardens supply a few Dallas-area food pantries.
Purchase tickets online for $50 in advance or $60 on day of event. Entrance to the event includes live music, all food and beer from Lakewood Brewery. Cocktails will be available for purchase. Get the discounted price of $40 by purchasing your ticket in person at North Haven Gardens.
Bayles Promise of Peace Garden. Photo courtesy of Promise of Peace.
Okrapalooza at The Lot, 2015. Photo from Lakewood Advocate.
