Waitstaff management

Trinity Event Staffing was pleased to provide wait staff recently for the American Heart Association’s annual Grand Tasting reception and the Cotes du Coeur premier fundraising event. The annual event is the centerpiece of the AHA’s fundraising, and is facilitated with the help of AHA employees, restaurant owners, community volunteers 

AHA volunteer waitstaff

as well as hotel wait staff and additional waitstaff provided by event staffing companies. This year the AHA’s Dallas Cotes du Coeur event raised $571,681.00, which was the single largest contribution to the over 2 million dollars raised by all of the AHA’s Cotes du Coeurs events held nationwide.

Tasting wait staff

The AHA’s Grand Tasting that preceded the main event was held in the beautifully-constructed event hall of the Amegy Bank Building in the uptown district just north of downtown Dallas. The second floor event hall boasted a see-through glass floor, a floor-to-ceiling glass pane wall, beautifully-textured wood paneling and a trio of armed samurai warrior statues to guard over the place in gargoyle fashion. The down lighting with its blue and pink hues, gave the whole place a modern speakeasy feel. An amazing selection of wines was the center of the event, and guests were allowed to get a sneak peek at the wine lots they could bid on at the main Cotes event the following night.

Richard Chamberlain & Jeff Rains

Richard Chamberlain, owner of Chamberlain’s Steak and Chop House and Chamberlain’s Fish Market, catered an amazing cornucopia of food. Included were over 40 pounds of smoked wild salmon filet and plates of brazed and shredded beef. Richard remains a long-time benefactor of the American Heart Association and always delivers a 5 star tastebud experience both at his restaurants and when catering. To the delight of those with a sweet tooth, dessert confections were provided by Dallas chocolatier Stephen Smith, owner of Nib Chocolate.

Dallas Cotes guests

With the Preview Party and the Grand Tasting successfully completed, the main Cotes event was held the following night. Guests, their friends, colleagues and associates all joined together for the enormous main event at the luxurious and esteemed Hilton Anatole the following night. Tuxedoed businessmen and beautifully-adorned visages swirled into the main hall of the building for a reception, then were ushered into the majestic dining are in Cirque du Soleil style.

party staff

All around the cavernous room, celebrity chefs were positioned at food and wine stations, ready to meet and greet patrons and guests with signature dishes and paired wines. One hundred and forty servers attended the VIP tables, serving food and wine and pampering their guests’ every need.

dinner party

The lobby’s silent auction excitement was replaced by the ever-popular auctioneer, replete with videos of wine-n-dine packages provided by celebrity chefs Kent Rathbun, owner of Abacus & Jaspers, David Holben of Del Frisco’s, Jim Severson of Sevy’s and Richard Chamberlain, owner of Chamberlain’s Restaurants. The successful fundraiser ended with a swinging and celebratory jiggling after-party. As with every year, the polish of the event’s décor, service, entertainment and food has made it an increasingly popular event to attend, and is a remarkable experience for both the guests and those who work and volunteer at the event. Looking forward, Cotes du Coeur 2011 is sure to be another fantastic success!

From industrial complex to one of the coolest music scenes in the region, Deep Ellum has always had a varied and sometimes turbulent history. The newness of so much real estate near downtown belies the long history of the Deep Ellum neighborhood. However, like countless similar urban neighborhoods across America, it continues to experience a cyclical ebb and flow in its birth, life, death and phoenix rebirth.

The area got its start in 1884 as a factory-oriented development, and later, in 1913, Henry Ford opened an assembly plant there. However, by the late 20’s and early 30’s, Deep Ellum had become distinguished as a prime jazz and blues hotspot. In 1937, a columnist described Deep Ellum as: “…[the] one spot in the city that needs no daylight saving time because there is no bedtime…[It is] the only place…where business, religion, hoodooism, gambling and stealing goes on at the same time without friction…”

By the 1950’s, Deep Ellum had become largely a warehouse and industrial district again, but during the 1960’s and 70’s, the large warehouses once again attracted artists and night club owners because of the cheap loft space. Eventually, businesses such as the Theater Gallery, Twilight Room, Clearview and The Gypsy Tea Room offered a broad cross-section of interests, musicians, visual artists, performance artists and theatre performers. By the 1980’s, groups such as the Deep Ellum Association, began pressuring the city of Dallas to upgrade the roads, lighting, and parking of the area. The decade afterward became the high point for Deep Ellum as Dallas’ liveliest entertainment district. The streets often were blocked off for events like the Deep Ellum Arts Festival and a vibrant culture emerged in the district.

However, by mid-2006, local papers had begun to report the near-demise of the neighborhood because most of the live music venues had closed, leaving mostly dance clubs, and radically altering the “feel” of the area. In 2007, the City Of Dallas encouraged large scale residential, multi-family dwelling construction in Deep Ellum, in hopes of making it more financially successful. However, construction founded out of this initiative has remained dormant.

Deep Ellum has struggled with a reluctantly-forgiving public perception; however, once again things are showing signs of turning around. The city of Dallas’ commitment to the area is evidenced by its construction of the DART Green Line rail to serve the area. DART estimates that in the coming years, more than 2,000 riders a day will use the Deep Ellum station at Baylor, spawning the need for new businesses in the area. Companies such as Partymaker, an upscale caterer, remain vibrant mainstays to the neighborhood. Music venues such as Arnetic, located at 2826 Elm Street, are opening once again, with a mind to reclaim Deep Ellum’s place in the Dallas nightlife scene.

One has only to look at North Oak Cliff, the Bishop Arts District, Uptown, the Design District, and north of Fair Park to see that real estate near downtown will always remain a tempting proposition for developers. If history does indeed loop, then certainly Deep Ellum will rise on the foundation of its past combined with the perseverance of its benefactors. Perhaps then a colorful new chapter can be written for the history of the district that will inspire future generations to not abandon the past because it is old, but to embrace it and integrate it with the new. Justin Atkinson

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Ellum,_Dallas,_Texas http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/091109dnbusdart.3b2db82.html

Copyright Justin Atkinson 2009

Dallas Trinity Event Staffing AHA

Trinity Event Staffing was proud to provide reception waitstaff for the American Heart Association 2010 Cotes Du Coeur Preview Party at the Park Place Porsche Dealership this past Thursday, March 25.  Reception attendees were treated by the sponsors, volunteers, chefs, and wait staff  to excellent wines, Sprinkles Cupcakes, Central Market catering and Macallan tastings provided by Remy Cointreau USA.

Restaurant Caterer Kent Rathbun

Kent Rathbun, owner of Abacus, Jaspers, Blue Plate and Zeas (right) attended the preview party as one of the celebrity chefs who donate their time and efforts to the AMA’s Cotes event.  Entertainment included a delicious curry sauce preparation demonstration by the Central Market chef.  Additionally, Executive Leadership member, Neil Grossman (below middle) spoke on behalf of Park Place Motors, the official vehicle sponsor  for the celebrated event.

Cotes Du Coeur Sponsors

Jay Liddell of Remy Cointreau USA entertained the crowd with his easy witticisms, and Rick Turner, Pappas Bros. general manager (far left) introduced several of the most cherished auction lots to be auctioned at the main event on April 10.  The preview event was an enormous success, and is a great kick off to a bright 2010!