ChefAndSong |

PATRON

The Newlyweds: Jack Evans and George Harris

Not many people have lived in Dallas as long as octogenarians, Jack Evans and George Harris. Not many couples have been together as long as Jack and George — 55 years and counting. But no one in Dallas shares their unique notoriety.

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February 14, 2016 by Ron Thompson

ADVOCATE

Throwing Boomerangs: Terry Loftis

Terry Loftis was on his way out of town the evening of our first Chef & Song and wouldn’t be able to stay for dinner. He did, however, stop by long enough to do one thing — save the entire evening from complete disaster.

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November 10, 2015 by Ron Thompson

ARTIST

Out In Front: Liz Mikel

Liz Mikel at Opening Bell Coffee, Southside on Lamar in Dallas. (Photo by Ron Thompson.)

Before I started recording my conversation with Liz Mikel, we talked about her late friend, pianist Buddy Shanahan. His memory brought with it emotion. I asked if it upset her to talk about him. She looked at me flatly and responded with her eyes still flooded, “I’m talking about him, aren’t I?” And in that moment, I knew Liz Mikel doesn’t say anything she doesn’t mean.

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November 6, 2015 by Ron Thompson

ARTIST

Love Songs: Linda & Larry Petty

T he story of Linda and Larry Petty is a love story started over 36 years ago, at Dallas Baptist College. They met, fell in love, and got married. Unfortunately, at the time, it wasn’t to each other. I had coffee with them last week. We talk about their first marriages and what finally brought them together, including an obsessive ex promising to have her in “life or death”, a Dukes of Hazzard-style standoff between a leather clad Linda and her stalker, armed guards at their wedding, and a secret proficiency in martial arts.

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October 20, 2015 by Ron Thompson

PATRON

Survival Guide: Rob Todd

A few days before the attacks on the World Trade Center, three men kicked down the front door of Rob Todd’s Perry Heights townhouse, punched him to the ground, dragged him outside, and took turns kicking and stomping him in the head. They robbed and left him for dead.

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October 11, 2015 by Ron Thompson

ARTIST

Heart on the Line: Chef Anastacia Quiñones

“Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” — Terry Pratchett, A Hat Full of Sky

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October 2, 2015 by Ron Thompson

DELICIOUS REVEL

For Love and Family: An Evening of Classical Music and Contemporary Dining

Photo by Hank Henley.

I invited Dr. David Tercero and Robin Tercero Montgomery to perform for guests of Chef & Song and Kitchen LTO, on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at 7:15 pm.

August 20, 2015 by Ron Thompson

PATRON

On His Own: Jeff Robertson

Jeffrey Robertson left a thriving practice in a quiet part of North Texas, bought an ugly building no one wanted on N. Bishop Avenue in Oak Cliff, and transformed it into something truly special for his own ophthalmology practice. And in the midst of all this, he sponsored our very first Chef & Song. We talk about it over ~~coffee~~, er … martinis.

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August 9, 2015 by Ron Thompson

PATRON

A Table for Twelve: Judy Smithey & Dotti Pennebaker

One of the first people to champion Chef & Song was Judy Smithey. She encouraged me every step of the way. And at our first delicious revel, she brought the biggest, rowdiest crowd of hometown folks to help us celebrate. She and fellow Chef & Song patron, Dotti Pennebaker, met me at David’s Seafood Grill in Cedar Hill to offer me feedback. We got caught up talking about music, art, theater, food, mixing cocktails, serving the community, and travel.

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July 24, 2015 by Ron Thompson

PATRON

The Art of Heart: Jenny Block

When Jenny Block told me her mission is to teach every woman how to have amazing orgasms and empower them take over the world, I saw no suggestion she was joking. I also felt left out. But the longer we talked, the more empowered I felt just being around her. She is fearless. She surrounds herself with courage. And that is what she writes about. She shows readers how to look within for inspiration, happiness, and self worth — and to share that energy helping others be fearless, too. We met at Opening Bell Coffee in Dallas and talked about her career, family, friends, being kind to one another … and, of course, sex.

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July 20, 2015 by Ron Thompson