Event Spotlight: Cattle Baron's Ball in Dallas

*The world’s largest single-night fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, the Cattle Baron’s Ball attracted more than 3,200 guests.*

Photographer: Allen Tsai

*Vestals Catering’s menu included a slider bar*.

Overview: For the third consecutive year, Vestals catered the Cattle Baron’s Ball—the world’s largest single-night fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. More than 3,200 guests attended the Oct. 25^th event, where they were entertained by headliner Post Malone—an alum of the Metroplex’s Grapevine High School. To support the cause, Vestals donated a significant amount of food and labor to the event.

*Vestals donated a significant amount of food and labor to the worthy cause.*

Menu Highlights: Vestals’ indulgent selections included such passed hors d’oeuvres as Cheese & Bacon Loaded Potato Skins and Blood Orange Chipotle-Glazed Pork; Frito Pie in a Bag; slider, quesadilla, short rib and bacon stations; a dinner buffet featuring tamales, chicken sausage with fennel and apples, prime beef brisket and four-cheese macaroni; a mini dessert display with such tempting options as Bourbon Pecan Pie Bars and Caramel Apple Shooters; and such “Concert Munchies” as ginger molasses cookies and white-cheddar popcorn.

*The dinner buffet featured Asadero and Jalapeño Handmade Tamales with Salsa Roja on the side.*

Guest favorites included:

Brown Sugar-Candied Bacon

Pulled Pork Slider with Carolina BBQ Mustard Sauce, Creamy Slaw and Pickles

Asadero and Jalapeño Handmade Tamales with Salsa Roja on the side

Prime Beef Brisket, carved to order with house-made BBQ sauce

Mango Serrano Lobster + Shrimp Quesadilla topped with Yuza Crema

*Guests couldn’t get enough of the Brown Sugar-Candied Bacon at the bacon station.*

Décor Details: The theme—”All Cylinders”—reflected the event’s high-energy nature and the collective effort to raise money for cancer research. Suggested attire was “Western chic,” with attendees sporting plenty of cowboy boots and hats. The venue—dubbed the “world’s most-famous ranch,” as it served as the setting for the TV show Dallas—provided the perfect rustic backdrop, with details including pickup truck beds, large tire installations, sawdust-strewn floors and the event’s signature large Ferris wheel.

*Details such as tire wheels added rustic charm to the “All Cylinders” theme.*

Takeaway Tip: With inclement weather in the forecast, emergency tenting had to be added just three days before the event. Yet Vestals’ nimble approach ensured food service proceeded without a hitch. By being flexible and organized, the team smoothly pulled off the event after significantly changing their serving plan.

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