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Word
from Dotty Griffith on the Texas ShootOut
Battle
lines are forming as local barbecue wars loom. Several of the city's
heralded chefs, known for their top-tier white-tablecloth restaurants
and menus to match, are going at one another in barbecue contests.
Ten competitors will square off Thursday, Sept. 25, at Culpepper
in Rockwall, where their grill fare will be judged by a panel of food
critics. There will also be a people's choice award, so guests who buy a
$65 ticket get to put in their 2 cents as well. The event, called Texas
Shootout of the 10 Most Wanted, benefits Texas Neurofibromatosis
Foundation Children's Clinics and Camp; Leukemia Association Children's
Fund; and Happy Hill Farm for children.
Of course, Culpepper host chef David Holben is among the
favorites in the competition. But this race is too close to call.
Winning may hinge on the balance of a sauce or a few minutes of unminded
heat flare-up. Others firing up hardwood cookers include Samir
Dhurandhar of Nick
& Sam's; Dean Fearing of The
Mansion on Turtle Creek; Tom Fleming of Pappas
Bros. Steakhouse; William Koval of the French
Room at the Hotel Adolphus; David McMillan of Nana
at the Wyndham Anatole; Kent Rathbun of Abacus
and Jasper's; Jim
Severson of Sevy's;
and Chris Ward of M Crowd Restaurants (Mercury,
Paris Vendome, Citizen).
The 10th cooker is this restaurant critic (and author of Celebrating
Barbecue). Sure, the pros have an edge: They cook for a living. But
I always get the last word. For more info or tickets, call 972-404-1126
or go to www.culpeppersteakhouse.com.
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