Celebrating 35 Years of Creating a Better World for Animals
saturday
EVENT CHAIRS
Mary and Travis Andres
honorary CHAIR
Ruth O'Donnell Mutch
Underwriting packages, event tickets, and sponsorships are available online now!
Silent Auction
and Raffle Tickets
The Zoo To Do silent auction is coming soon, and there’s plenty worth watching. Get a first look at a few of this year’s finds, then come back to bid and purchase raffle tickets in support of the Dallas Zoo.
Football Fan Favorites
An autographed Emmitt Smith legacy football.
Value: $500
Full Pout Mode
Shawna Hinkel’s “Full Pout Mode” captures gorilla Juba in an expressive moment.
Value: $2,400
Your Next Game Night
Gather around the table with finds from The Mahjong Line.
Value: $395
A Dallas Getaway
A one-night stay at Graduate by Hilton Dallas.
Value: $300
Donate to our auction
We invite you to be part of this special evening by contributing an item to our auction. Donations of experiences, services, packages, or one-of-a-kind items help create an unforgettable night that directly supports the Dallas Zoo’s mission.
Connect with us
on Instagram
Follow @DallasZooToDo to get all the latest updates, an insider look into our planning process, and more!
underwriters
Presenting Sponsor
The Eugene McDermott Foundation
HERD OF ELEPHANTS
Diane and Hal Brierley
Lyda Hill Philanthropies
Ruth O’Donnell Mutch
POD OF HIPPOS
Tom Connelly
Cindy and Chuck Gummer
Carol and John Levy
Dawn and Steve Moore
Joan and Alan Walne
TROOP OF GORILLAS
Purvi and Bill Albers | American Excelsior Co.
Jennifer and Peter Altabef
Lisa Browning
Marena and Roger Gault | Kim and Greg Hext
Jackson Walker LLP
NexPoint Philanthropies
Reliant
The Robinson Family
Deedie Rose
Scottish Rite for Children
Gayla and Jim Von Ehr
Flamboyance of Flamingos
Tiffany and Bobby Abtahi
The Addy Foundation
Stephanie and Donald Ainscow
The Andrea-Mennen Family Foundation
Mary and Travis Andres
Angela and Alex Arellano |
Britt and Jake Bender
Taine and Bob Carrozza
CLR Design, Inc.
Diane DuVall
Friends of Ruth O’Donnell Mutch
Gay & Lesbian Fund for Dallas
Gillon Property Group
Carol and Don Glendenning
Gummer Capital Partners LLC
Debra and Ken Hamlett
Hancock Whitney
Simone and David Howell
Husch Blackwell LLP
The Mahaney Family
Jill Mellinger
Metropolis
Jerry Miller | PwC
Vinette and Michael Montgomery
Dan Patterson
Nancy P. Patterson and Larry A. Maxwell
Pegasus Bank
Stephen Penrose
Nancy and Doug Rabe
The Roth & Friends Table
Lisa K. Simmons
Jill and Bragg Smith
Dr. Ann Stuart Ph.D. in memory of
Ray R. Poliakoff, her beloved husband
committee
Advisory Committee
Diane Brierley
Mary McDermott Cook
Marena Gault
Cindy Gummer
Kim Hext
Gayla Von Ehr
UNDERWRITING COMMITTEE
Ryan Gummer, Co-Chair
Rob Swift, Co-Chair
Purvi and Bill Albers
Cristin Dalecki
Boone Howell
Nancy P. Patterson
Ruth Ruhl
LIVE AUCTION COMMITTEE
Thai-lan Tran, Chair
Angela Bhatti
Diane Brierley
Shawna Hinkel
Big Board
Cindy Gummer, Chair
Miles Trapp-Danielson
SILENT AUCTION Committee
Claire and Ben Davis, Chairs
Angela and Alex Arellano
Grace Cook
Cari and Will Daniell
Lois and Ross Finkelman
Marena Gault
Laura Howell
Shelby and David Maberry
Tamela Thornton
Gayla and Jim Von Ehr
Sarah-Michelle Stearns Wiley
Jane Williams
RAFFLE Chairs
Ashley and Barret Howell
SOCIAL MEDIA &
MARKETING COMMITTEE
Monica Contreras Gonzalez,
Co-Chair
Stephanie Spaulding, Co-Chair
Stephanie Ainscow
Jake Bender
Calvert Collins-Bratton
Dr. Whitney Strauss
CHEF WRANGLER
Brett Krafft
CHEF RECRUITER
Jimmy Contreras
HONORARY CHEF
Dan Landsberg
host committee
HOST COMMITTEE CHAIR
Chuck Steelman
Tiffany and Bobby Abtahi
Stephanie and Donald Ainscow
Purvi and Bill Albers
Jennifer and Peter Altabef
Nicole and Justin Anderson
Bailey Archer
Angela and Alex Arellano
Connie and Nick Babikian
Britt and Jake Bender
Angela and Chris Bhatti
Carole Braden
Diane and Hal Brierley
Rhealyn and Dale Carter
Robyn and Chris Chauvin
Calvert Collins-Bratton
and Vince Bratton
Mary McDermott Cook
Grace Cook
Cristin Dalecki and Tommy Smith
Cari and Will Daniell
Claire and Ben Davis
Barb and Steve Durham
Alina and Ruben Esquivel
Julie and Bill Evans
Lois and Ross Finkelman
Jennifer and Matt Garcia
Jennifer and John Gates
Marena and Roger Gault
Carol and Don Glendenning
Monica and Manuel Gonzalez
Alisha and Chris Gummer
Cameron and Jay Gummer
Cindy and Chuck Gummer
Michelle and Ryan Gummer
Debra and Ken Hamlett
Edna and Xavier Henderson
Claudia and Preston Hext
Kim and Greg Hext
Shawna and Josh Hinkel
Alison Hollender
Ashley and Barret Howell
Laura and Boone Howell
Amber and Grafton Ifill
Robbie Kruithoff and Ryan Ross
Cynthia and Jim Leano
Nicole and Nico Leone
Carol and John Levy
Shelby and David Maberry
Enrique MacGregor and Mark Niermann
Pat and Charles McEvoy
Jared Miller
Jerry Miller | PwC
Dawn and Steve Moore
Ruth O’Donnell Mutch
Dr. Hector Nazario
Dan Patterson
Nancy P. Patterson
and Larry A. Maxwell
Mandy Price and Bennie King
Karen and Paul Puopolo
Nancy and Doug Rabe
Gaby and Gunner Rawlings
Sherri and Brad Rejebian
Jeff and Darrel Rice
Hannah Riley
Deedie Rose
Steven J. Roth and Thai-lan Tran
Leslie and Ivan Roussev
Ruth Ruhl
Debbie and Gavin Ryan
Andrea Sanders
Stefanie Schneidler
and Jeffrey Robinson
Melissa and JP Sevilla
chefs &
restaurants
Alára Modern Mediterranean
Chef Onur Akan
Turkish-born Chef Onur Akan brings Mediterranean flavors and refined French technique to new Design District restaurant, Alára.
Altima Caviar
Alayna Steinman
Executive leader and entrepreneur bringing a passion for caviar, sustainable farming, and agricultural innovation to Dallas.
Amor y Queso
Chef Sarah Carlock
Founder of Amor y Queso creating edible works of art and memorable culinary experiences.
Avra Estiatorio
Chef George Ortega
Culinary professional with over a decade of experience, including more than a year at Avra.
Botolino Gelato Artigianale
Chef Ronny Vallejo
Representing Botolino Gelato Artigianale and its handcrafted gelato experience.
Cenzo's Pizza & Deli
Chef Jason Smith
Self-described Florida Man representing Cenzo’s Pizza & Deli.
The Crescent Club
Chef Guillaume Chhun
Chef bringing a passion for Texas and South American flavors to The Crescent Club.
Curio Kitchen & Market
Chef Christopher Patrick
Chef-owner and James Beard House guest chef with two decades of Dallas culinary leadership.
Eataly
Chef Marco Fortina
Born in Piedmont, Chef Marco Fortina brings generations of Italian culinary tradition and refined expertise to Eataly Dallas.
Eledi
Chef Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman
Native Texan and founder of Oh Hi! Hospitality with over two decades of culinary experience.
Empire Baking Co.
Meaders Ozarow
Artisan bakery serving handmade bread for 33 years and supporting
Zoo To Do for 32 years.
Fearing's Restaurant
Chef Michael Matis
With a career spanning Washington D.C., Miami, Texas, Switzerland and beyond, Mike brings a world of inspiration to the Fearing’s team.
Goodfriend Beer Garden
Chef David Peña
Culinary Director guiding the kitchens of Goodfriend, Fortunate Son, and Goodfriend Package.
Goodwins and Corsaire
Chef Jeff Bekavac
Chef and owner of Goodwins and Corsaire.
Haute Sweets Patisserie
Chef Tida Pichakron
Award-winning pastry chef and Food Network winner specializing in fine desserts and French macarons.
The Heritage Table
Chef Richard Vana
Chef-owner exploring North Texas cuisine rooted in local ingredients, seasons, and traditions.
La Bodega Rotisserie & Goods
Chef Skye McDaniel
Oak Cliff native and owner-operator of La Bodega, located near the Dallas Zoo.
Las Almas Rotas
Chef Patricia Dominguez
Mexico-born chef leading the kitchen at twice James Beard-nominated Las Almas Rotas.
Las Palmas, Bowen House, St. Martin's, and Urbano Cafe
Chef Mary Ramirez
Representing Black Marble Hospitality, creating chef-driven dining experiences with bold flavors and exceptional hospitality.
Monarch
Chef Jason Rohan
Executive Chef leading the kitchens of Monarch and Kessaku.
Mozzarella Company
Chef Mauricio Travesi
Working owner and President, leads this award-winning artisanal cheese factory.
MVP Coffee Company
Victoria Parshikova
Coffee entrepreneur bringing quality café experiences and community connection to events across DFW.
Parigi
Chef Janice Provost
Proprietor and Chef of Parigi, celebrated for seasonal cuisine and generous community contributions.
Punch Drunk Chef Meal Prep
Chef Brad Miller
DFW’s favorite meal prep chef.
Salum Restaurant
Chef Abraham Salum
Chef representing his namesake Salum Restaurant in Dallas.
Sea Breeze Fish Market and Grill and The Wilfred
Chef Ryan Oruch
Chef and owner leading the culinary teams at Sea Breeze Fish Market and Grill and The Wilfred.
Seeger's Deli
Chef Olivia Constance
Bringing creativity and heart to Little Blue, Fount Board & Table and Seegar’s Deli, creating welcoming spaces rooted in thoughtful hospitality, seasonal ingredients and the communities they serve.
SSA Group
Chef Evan Hunter
Chef Carlos Capistran
14-year SSA chef with culinary experience at the Detroit and Houston Zoos.
Sugar & Sage Bakery
Chef Jill Bates
Executive pastry chef with over 20 years of experience in acclaimed Dallas kitchens.
Sushi By Scratch
Chef Jason Lee
Fine-dining sushi chef bringing two decades of experience to the Dallas culinary scene.
Suze
Chef Gilbert Garza
Chef and proprietor running Suze, a Dallas favorite and award winner for 25 years.
Taco Y Vino
Chef Jimmy Contreras
Once ashamed to have tacos in his lunch box as a kid, now proudly serves them in Bishop Arts and Garland.
Terry Black's BBQ
Chef Joe Cole
Chef supports a hand-me-down family recipe concept that serves authentic Texas BBQ flavors, smoked low and slow from generations of tradition.
The Texas Barn at Circle T Ranch
Chef Dan Landsberg
40-year kitchen veteran focused on seasonal, regional cooking with wholesome ingredients and nuanced flavor.
Truluck's
Chef Manuel 'Manny' Vera
Dallas native Chef Manny Vera has been with Truluck’s since 1998, rising from the grill to Chef Partner through skill, dedication and leadership.
sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Official Zoo Airline
Official Automotive Sponsor
VIP LOUNGE SPONSOR
Chef Sponsors
AUCTION SPONSOR
BEHIND THE SCENES SPONSOR
STROLLING Supper SPONSOR
Durham Family Foundation
Photobooth Activation Sponsors
Decor Sponsor
Host Committee Reception Sponsor
LOOKBOOK SPONSOR
ENTERTAINMENT PARTNERS
