Chef Stephan Pyles hosted an exclusive dinner at his eponymous restaurant to benefit No Kid Hungry, which is dedicated to ending childhood hunger in America.

And what better way to intrigue Dallas’ most philanthropic citizens than by recruiting some of the best in the business — including Matt McCallister, Graham Dodds, Danyele McPherson and Tim Byres — to help prepare the meal. The chefs came together to pay homage to Pyles during the seven-course dinner with dishes such as oyster stew, oxtail ragout, guinea fowl dumplings and more.

But before it was time to dine, attendees mingled at a cocktail reception featuring Casa Dragones Joven tequila cocktails and cava. They also made their way through the silent auction that, appropriately, included several dinners and tastings provided by guests chefs along with spa packages, jewelry and designer apparel.

Diners — including Wanda Gierhart, Dean Fearing, Sandra and Elmer Doty, David Armet, David Nichols, and Jim Rimelspach — were then invited to sit for dinner and to enjoy the comedic commentary of emcee Billy Harris, who kept the evening upbeat and all about the cause.

Just before the final course, the live auction kicked off with trips to Napa, Chicago and a tequila dinner at Stampede 66. The grand finale item, a dinner in the home for 10 people prepared by Pyles, Fearing, Katherine Clapner, Byres and McCallister, was the final push needed to help the organization raise $159,000.

The No Kid Hungry campaign connects kids in need with nutritious food and teaches their families how to cook healthy, affordable meals. Since the campaign’s launch, No Kid Hungry and our partners have connected kids struggling with hunger with more than 107 million additional meals.