The 12th annual Symphony of Chefs event benefiting KidLinks was held on Feb. 28 at the Armstrong Fieldhouse at Southern Methodist University. The annual fundraiser generated $300,000 to support the organization’s mission of linking kids to healing, hope and happiness through music and media.
An Hors d’oeuvres reception was held in the Miller Ballroom featuring Executive Chef Salvador Ordaz from Savor by Samir Catering. The Booker T. Strings Trio added musical ambiance to the room, as a nod to the heart of the KidLinks mission.
TV personality, chef, award-winning host, and creator of Dinner Reinvented, Roni Proter served as emcee. Nick & Sam’s Steakhouse Executive Chef John Kleifgen and Monarch Restaurants Executive Chef Eric Dreyer served as Honorary Chef Chairs for the event. Event co-chairs were Christina and Chase Sanders and Lisa and Stuart Sides.
Award winning, Auctioneer Morgan Hopson conducted a live auction of private dining experience packages from Chef Gorgi of Gorji Restaurant, private chef Rami Rassas and Monarch Restaurants Executive Chef Eric Dreyer. A paddle raise was also conducted to procure donations for KidLinks programs. Guests enjoyed a 5-course culinary experience with a personal table chefs and received a thank you gift of the 2022 Symphony of Chefs cookbook, which included a recipe from each participating chef.
KidLinks has developed Therapeutic Music Entertainment, giving patients and families in hospitals, classrooms, and homes everywhere digital access to healthy and entertaining musical content. Funds raised from the event go to the development of this digital content as well as KidLinks’ music therapy programs. The organization has served more than 400,000 kids and caregivers over 40 years by providing healthy, positive and therapeutic music through a library of songs, in-hospital performances and professional music therapy services.
