Haute Events: The Big Red Weekend at the Joule Hotel

Red, red wine was the star at the Joule hotel’s Big Red Weekend, a premier epicurean event that showcased some of the best chefs and restaurants Dallas has to offer. The Joule, a Luxury Collection Hotel, is a downtown hot-spot that houses Charlie Palmer’s upscale Southern eatery and the basement nightclub PM Lounge, but on November 5th through the 7th guests gathered upstairs in the ballroom to sample some Texan wines from the likes of Calais and Texas Hills Vineyards, devour some decadent bites from Charlie Palmer, Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck and more, and listen to great live bands, all to raise funds for the North Texas Food Bank.

The opening night, “Taste of the Big Red,” went off without a hitch, and Saturday’s events were high-energy and high-profile. A cook-off between two teams consisting of the notorious Dean Fearing of Fearing’s inside the Ritz-Carlton and Charlie Palmer versus the Voltaggio brothers of Top Chef fame was a fun battle, each winning once on separate courses. The day proceeded with the Texas Red Hoe-Down in the afternoon and the Big Red Gala that evening, where guests got to indulge in a luxurious five-course meal paired with Texas wines, and then dance the night away in the Joule penthouse for the late night party, sponsored by Texas’ own Tito’s vodka.

Those that weren’t too under the weather from the night’s festivities made it out to Sunday brunch at the Joule, the final event in the Big Red Weekend. Diners sipped mimosas and tasted some Eggs Benedict and delectable Peanut Butter French Toast.

The Joule Hotel, 1530 Main Street, 214.748.1300, www.thejouledallas.com