Chefs make commitment to helping next generation

By Amity Thomas

The Piehole Project recently awarded local culinary talents at The Cheffies: Chefs Choice Awards, held at The Village Country Club. The Cheffie awards are the only awards in DFW nominated by chefs, for chefs and chosen by chefs. Awards recognize the people, restaurants, dishes and talents they admire most, fostering the DFW culinary community by supporting fellow chefs and developing the next generation of culinary leaders.

The 2026 Cheffie Award recipients are: “Yes, Chef” Award/Lifetime Achievement in Making It Work: Mike Matis/Fearing’s Restaurant; Best Dish You Wish You Thought Of: Blue Corn Butterscotch Pancakes, Matt Balke/Encina; Chef You Want Next to You in the Weeds: Rhonda McCullar/Uchi; Chef You Want Cooking Your Last Meal: AQ Pittman/Oh Hi Hospitality; Best Pastry Chef/Sweetest Chef: Jill Bates/Sugar & Sage Bakery; Best New Restaurant/New Kid on the Block: Meridian; Best Restaurant/Restaurant Chefs Send Other Chefs To: Quarter Acre; Godmother/Chef Everyone Calls for Advice: Sharon Van Meter; and Rising Stagiaire/Best Sous Chef: Marley Dablo/Encina.

The Piehole Project fosters culinary talent and community amongst DFW chefs by supporting fellow chefs, developing future leaders, providing personal mentorship and funding professional development through paid stage opportunities.

With a commitment to building the next generation of chefs, Rising Stagiare, Marley Dablo is the recipient of a stage opportunity with a nationally recognized chef, funded and coordinated by Piehole Project.

“Our goal is simple, give one of DFW’s most promising chefs this extraordinary opportunity and then bring that experience and inspiration back to Texas,” board member Sharon Van Meter said.

The Piehole Project launched in 2020 as a pie auction showcasing extraordinary pies crafted by local chefs. To date, the beloved event has auctioned 243 pies, raising more than $60,000 — all fueling the Project Piehole mission. The 2026 Piehole Auction will run November 9-22. Register now at PieholeProject.org to be notified when the pies drop.