Something to celebrate Monday night at the 4th Annual Celebrity Chefs Benefit and Auction…Mid-Cities Supporters of SafeHaven jumped into a new category.

With co-chairs Donna Burdette and Anna Saunders organizing the event at the Hilton in Southlake Town Square, Monday night the group surpassed the $1 million mark in its donations to SafeHaven.  Early numbers have this year’s total topping $90,000.

The fundraiser, which aids child victims of domestic violence, included a stable full of fabulous chefs who not only trotted out their specialty dishes, but also offered up exclusive dinners for auction. For their part, the chefs whipped up an impressive array of treats for us, the lucky party-goers. From pulled pork to tenderloin to gourmet mac ‘n cheese to crepes, the food was outstanding. Participating in helping a crowd of people blow their new year’s diets were Chef Jaime Aguilar of Copeland’s of New Orleans; Chef Hans Bergman of Cacharel Restaurant and Grand Ballroom; Chef Sally Bolick and Chef Mike Swirczynski of Strong Bravo!! Catering and Event Planning; Chef Joanne Bondy of the Gaylord Texan’s Old Hickory Steakhouse; Chef Jon Bonnell of Bonnell’s Restaurant; Chef Susan Clark of Creative Memories Cakes & Catering;Chef Eric Hunter of Fire Oak Grille; Chef Brian Olenjack of Olenjack’s Grille; Chef Morris Salerno of The Grotto; Chef Manuel Vera of Truluck’s Seafood, Steak and Crab House; Chef Chris Wilson of Market Street; Chef Mark Yamada of Trophy Club Country Club and Chef Charles Youts of The Classic Cafe.

Very special in this year’s live auction was a ruby-and-diamond brooch. The jewel had belonged to the late Colleen Meadows, a long-time supporter of Mid-Cities SOS, and her friend, Leah Shaver, had the honor of circulating the ballroom enticing potential buyers to bid on the sparkly reminder of Colleen.

But besides the money raised for a worthy cause, the evening was a delightful way to start the week. Just as we got to the end of the red-carpet entrance, we were offered a glass of bubbly. Nice touch. And maybe a bit of a good luck charm because by the end we truly had something to celebrate!

Chef Noah Miller of Southlake’s Central Market will be taking the lead chef position for the Fourth Annual Celebrity Chefs, the Jan. 18th fundraiser at the Hilton in Southlake Town Square.

From 6 to 9:30 p.m. that evening, Miller will be joined by a team of other local chefs, in a charitable effort for SafeHaven of Tarrant County. In addition to presenting a signature dish, each chef will offer an exclusive dinner for the live auction. Serving as co-chairs are community volunteers Donna Burdette and Anna Saunders at this benefit sponsored annually by Mid-Cities Supports of SafeHaven.

This year’s chefs showing off their culinary creativity for guests to sample will be Chef Jaime Aguilar of Copeland’s of New Orleans; Chef Hans Bergman of Cacharel Restaurant and Grand Ballroom; Chef Sally Bolick and Chef Mike Swirczynski of Strong Bravo!! Catering and Event Planning; Chef Joanne Bondy of the Gaylord Texan’s Old Hickory Steakhouse; Chef Jon Bonnell of Bonnell’s Restaurant; Chef Susan Clark of Creative Memories Cakes & Catering;Chef Eric Hunter of Fire Oak Grille; Chef Brian Olenjack of Olenjack’s Grille; Chef Morris Salerno of The Grotto;  Chef Manuel Vera of Truluck’s Seafood, Steak and Crab House; Chef Chris Wilson of Market Street; Chef Mark Yamada of Trophy Club Country Club and Chef Charles Youts of The Classic Cafe.

Tickets costs $125 per person, with proceeds benefiting SafeHaven’s programs for children. Tickets are available by calling Donna Burdette at 817-545-7012 or emailing donnaburdette@tx.rr.com

 For more information about the non-profit organization, contact SafeHaven at www.safehaventc.org or call 817-535-6462.

Festival of Trees proves a popular event name during November.

Friday at Fort Worth’s Colonial Country Club, Kappa Alpha Theta will present its third annual Festival of Trees. The sorority has planned a dinner and an afternoon children’s tea to spotlight its displays of decorated trees and tables. Tickets for dinner are $150 per person, and tea tickets cost $12. Contact Lauren Puff at 817-738-7118.

The Greater Southlake Women’s will host its second annual Festival of Trees Nov. 20-22 at the Hilton hotel in Southlake Town Square. Trees, wreaths and holiday decor will be on sale during the three-day event which will indlue a luncheon, gala and breakfast with Santa. Prices vary per event. Check www.southlakefestivaloftrees.com.

Both events benefit local charities.

The ladies of the club pose with 'Marilyn.' Photo courtesy of Mike Lewis Photography. www.mikelewisphotography.com

 Think back to a time not so long ago, such as 10 days ago, when the swine flu did not occupy our thoughts or cancel events.

Yes, the good ole days when a recession was all that complicated our thoughts. And it was great timing for the Southlake Women’s Club. The club’s 10th anniversary celebration of Art in the Square came off without so much as a face mask. No swine flu, but with the way the wine was flowing at the Friday night sponsor party at Southlake’s Hilton, perhaps there was some wine flu. Not that I saw any evidence of that…just heard that wine was running low just as the party was getting into full swing.

And while we’re on the subject of swing…the Southlake Swing Band provided the music to dance–swing, if you wanted–at the party. Check them out…great band!

Festival chairwoman Lisa Quinn and her husband Bill seemed to be relaxed and having a good time, even with the millions of details she must have been thinking of. Last year’s co-chair Carmen Evans, who just happens to be this year’s club president (are we seeing an emerging pattern here?), also seemed calm about an art festival that has grown enormously in the 10 years its been held at Southlake Town Square.

Thousands now attend this family event, and the club uses the proceeds to benefit local charities. It’s expanded through the years, including special wine tastings. Monica Mainard, Mariann Nichols and Sherri Whitt were overseeing the one I attended Saturday night. Gina Puente-Brancato, owner of La Buena Vida Vineyards, presented wines from her winery plus others for us to try with Vermont cheeses.

Among the ones we tried was La Buena Vida’s new sangria, “Redheaded Stepchild.” Gina kept calling it a “party in a glass.” So with the outbreak of flu threatening to cancel any and everything around us, I suggest you swing by her Grapevine winery, pick up a bottle or two and just proceed with your own “party in a glass.”

She also provided a recipe for wine you won’t drink. I think it could be just one more way wine is good for you:

Red Wine Sugar Scrub

5 T raw sugar

5 T Mascavado sugar/brown sugar

3-4 t. honey

2 T. Spingtown Sweet Ruby wine

Mix all the above ingredients together in a bowl until sugar turns into a sticky paste form. Mixture is ready for use and can be stored in the refrigerator for two days. The measurements are enough for a one-time use.