Something Refreshing to Do on Sunday

Friends, it’s so hot I’m about to [does it matter? you'll just make something dirty up anyway.] And the AC pretty much doesn’t work on our floor, so, yeah. Anyway, something that should be much cooler is happening on Sunday at the Plaza at Preston Center. It’s the Second Annual Best Iced Tea Contest, with proceeds going to the North Texas Food Bank. Come out and sample teas from restaurants such as Craft, Bolla, Tillman’s, Drip Coffee, and more. You can vote for your favorite and enter a raffle to win stuff. And, you can say hi to me, because for some reason they asked me to judge (I know–craay-zeee). Jump for details.

The Plaza at Preston Center Hosts 2nd Annual Best Iced Tea Contest

All proceeds benefit the North Texas Food Bank

DALLAS – May 29, 2008 – June is National Iced Tea Month. To celebrate this southern summertime favorite, The Plaza at Preston Center is hosting its 2nd Annual Best Iced Tea Contest on Sunday, June 8^th from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. All proceeds from this event benefit the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB), a nonprofit organization that passionately pursues a hunger-free community through food distribution to feeding and education programs in North Texas. Last year the NTFB distributed 32-million pounds of food and is consistently ranked as one of the top non-profit organizations in Dallas/Fort Worth.

Celebrity judges and the public will sample a wide array of iced tea samples from participating Dallas-area restaurants to determine which restaurant has the best iced tea in Dallas – whether it’s a “mom-and-pop” shop or a prominent Dallas restaurant. Some of this year’s participating restaurants include Craft, Bolla, Houston’s, Café R&D, Tin Star, Tillman’s Roadhouse, Kathleen’s Sky Diner, Maudee’s Café and Tea Room, Sterling Tea, Fat Straws Bubble Tea, Greenz, Stonebriar Tea, Drip Coffee, Café on the Green Restaurant, Milestone Culinary Arts Center, Teavana, Cliff Café and Radiant Chinese Herb & Tea Lounge.

“There are many ways to concoct the perfect glass of iced tea,” Kyle Stewart said, co-owner of The Cultured Cup. “Dallas boasts some of the most well-known and unique restaurants in the country, and it will be exciting to see what original recipes this year’s participants will come up with.”

“The proceeds from this fun-filled family event will help support our upcoming campaign to close the gap on hunger,” said Jan Pruitt, North Texas Food Bank CEO. “We are elated that The Plaza has chosen to support our organization and our efforts to feed hungry North Texans. Imagine….being able to make a difference and enjoy a great glass of iced tea.”

As an added bonus, Sprinkles Cupcakes is donating 100 percent of proceeds from its sales of Green Tea Cupcakes on the day of the event to the North Texas Food Bank. Be sure to stop in and check out the “tea-riffic” cupcakes while helping raise even more money for a great cause.

There will be both a People’s Choice Award and Judges’ Award winner. The public can take part in the event by purchasing tasting ballots from participating Plaza stores and participating restaurants, as well as on the day of the event, to sample the many great iced tea flavors and vote on their favorite blend. All tasting ballot purchases will automatically be included in a raffle which includes many prizes such as store merchandise, gift certificates, and even a vacation package from American Express Travel. Ticket pricing is available at multiple levels: $5 (children 12 and under); Gold level – $10; Platinum level – $20. More than $6,000 in prizes is up for grabs in the raffle. You do not need to be present to win. Again, all proceeds from these tasting ballot purchases benefit the NTFB – by only purchasing one Platinum level ballot you will provide meals for 100 impoverished individuals in North Texas!

Celebrity judges at this year’s event include: Casey Thompson, executive chef of Shinsei and Top Chef season three runner-up; Stephan Pyles, executive chef and owner of Stephan Pyles; Victoria Snee, Mix 102.9 and CW33 personality; Mayor Holmes of University Park; Joyce Harris, Dallas Morning News food section contributor; Catherine Collins, Culinary Concierge managing editor; Sarah Eveans, D Magazine Associate Editor; Gina Betts, former Cattle Baron’s Ball chair; and Cindy Rachofsky, philanthropist and art collector. The official celebrity judging will take place at 3 p.m. so be sure to come out to the event so you can meet some of these local celebrities. The People’s Choice voting will continue until 3:30 p.m. The official awards presentation will start at 3:45 p.m.

Fat Straws Bubble Tea captured the Judges’ Award last year and Craft took home the People’s Choice Award. Both restaurants will be competing again in this year’s competition in hopes of holding on to their coveted titles.

The Plaza at Preston Center is located at the Southeast corner of Preston Road and Northwest Highway. For more information, go to www.plazaatprestoncenter.com or call 972-931-7576 ext. 22.