Mansion on Turtle Creek to unveil renovation in October with weekend TACA arts event

by Teresa Gubbins

Dean Fearing's gone, and so is his down-home summer barbecue. The Mansion's going classy, see.

DALLAS — Chef Dean Fearing is gone from the Mansion on Turtle Creek, and so is his down-home summer barbecue -- to be replaced by a weekend-long artsy/society event that'll simultaneously unveil the first phase of the property's $20-million renovation.

Called the TACA Proscenium, and scheduled for the weekend of October 19-20, the weekend is a partnership with TACA, a blue-blood nonprofit that distributes dough to arts organizations.

The actual definition of proscenium is "stage of an ancient Greek or Roman theater." But its uppity tone suggests that the Mansion is going more genteel, with a "master culinary" cooking class and a high-society "auction gala". No more of that white-trashy BBQ-on-the-lawn nonsense.

The two major events include an outdoor party and an auction gala. Two ancillary events include a cooking class and a wine tasting.

Tickets to the whole event, including two nights at The Mansion, start at $5,000 per couple. You can also purchase individual tickets as follows:

* Friday, Oct. 19, 7 p.m. TACA Party on the Green, $350 and $500. Event includes celebrity chefs’ silent auction, Wine Cork Pull, and live entertainment. Chefs confirmed so far include John Tesar of The Mansion on Turtle Creek; James Boyce of STUDIO at Montage Laguna Beach Resort & Spa; Joseph Keller of Bistro Zinc at Monte Lago Village at Lake Las Vegas; Tim Love of of Lonesome Dove, Duce, and Love Shack; Ken Callaghan of Blue Smoke, New York City; Scott Bryan of Veritas Restaurant, New York City; and Gianni Santin of Hotel Crescent Court.

* Sat., Oct. 20, 7:00 p.m. TACA RBC Dain Rauscher Custom Auction Gala, $500, with tables $4,000-$5,000. Black tie evening celebrates the debut of the renovated Mansion on Turtle Creek Restaurant. Cocktails at 7:00 p.m. are followed by dinner at 8 p.m., served in the newly renovated restaurant and private suites (this is new to the Mansion). After dinner comes the live auction, and then live entertainment.

* Sat., Oct. 20, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. TACA Mega Capital Culinary Master Class, $125. You eat and drink and watch a culinary expert demonstrate techniques in a Viking Kitchen.

* Sat., Oct. 20, 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. TACA Highside Capital Sommelier’s Court, $125. You drink a bunch of wine, guided by The Mansion’s sommelier.

For information, contact Amy Taylor, TACA, 214.520.3930 or hit the Web site.