Aaron Franklin, renowned pit master and barbecue expert, will headline the Visiting Nurse Association’s (VNA) 14 th Annual Celebrity Chef event, which will celebrate 90 years of community care in North Texas. Franklin is generously donating his time and talent, and has promised an incredible menu with a few lessons on the art of smoking and barbecue along the way.
The menu will include signature items from Aaron’s cookbooks, as well as beer donated by Lakewood Brewing Company, maker of Temptress, the Stout of Texas, and Stub’s – Texas Pils. Attendees, who are encouraged to wear “BBQ Chic” attire, will experience a one-of-a-kind grilling demonstration, receive a copy of Aaron’s book, Franklin Smoke, and have the opportunity to ask the Master Class barbecue expert for tips and tricks of the trade. All funds raised will go directly to VNA programs, including Meals on Wheels, Supportive Palliative Care, and adult and pediatric Hospice Care. The Moody Foundation is serving as Honorary Charis, and Shandalynn and Kelby Hagar are service as co-chairs.
WHEN: Thursday, April 4 – two seatings with lunch at 11:30 a.m. and dinner at 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: VNA Haggerty Meals on Wheels Kitchen
1440 W. Mockingbird Lane, Dallas 75247
COST: $500 per person
SITE: https://www.vnatexas.org/celebritychef/
About the Visiting Nurse Association
Established in 1934, the Visiting Nurse Association of Texas (VNA) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that helps people age with dignity and independence at home. VNA is the community’s most trusted provider of quality health care services in the home and is the first, most experienced nonprofit Hospice Care provider in Texas. VNA offers Meals on Wheels in Dallas County, and VNA adult and pediatric Hospice Care, and Supportive Palliative Care in Collin, Cooke, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Fannin, Grayson, Henderson, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Navarro, Rockwall, Tarrant, Van Zandt and Wise Counties. Visit www.vnatexas.org or call 214-689-0000 for more information.
About Aaron Franklin
The VNA 2024 Celebrity Chef is Austin-based barbecue cook, grilling guy, restaurant owner, educator, and MasterClass instructor, Aaron Franklin. Aaron is a self-taught barbecue expert, who has quickly risen to be one of the most well-known pit bosses in the barbecue world. Aaron is the author of three Central Texas barbeque-centric cookbooks: Franklin Barbecue: A Meat Smoking Manifesto, Franklin Steak, and Franklin Smoke. Aaron is the recipient of the James Beard Award for Best Chef and has also been inducted into the American Royal Barbecue Hall of Fame. Aaron also launched his backyard barbecue pit company, Franklin Barbecue Pits, in 2020.
About Lakewood Brewing Company
Lakewood Brewing Company is a family-owned, independent craft brewery making Seriously Fun Beer. Lakewood exploded onto the DFW brewing scene in 2012 and became famous for its
Temptress Imperial Milk Stout, which is now the best-selling craft stout in Texas. Its diverse beer portfolio includes IPA's, Lagers, seasonal, and limited release beers. For more information, visit www.lakewoodbrewing.com.