Meridian’s burger. Photo Credit: Allison David
The 16th annual Burgers + Burgundy event is taking place this week at The Village Dallas.
Thursday, Oct. 9 will be an evening of celebrity chef-crafted sliders paired with wine and fundraising for DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS) Dallas. DIFFA Dallas raises funds for organizations that educate at-risk populations about HIV/AIDS and/or provide services and treatment to people impacted by HIV/AIDS.
“Burgers + Burgundy is the exciting kickoff to the DIFFA Season,” said Brandon Bell, one of the 2025 event’s chairpersons, in a press release. “It’s more than an evening of delicious food and fine wine; it’s about celebrating community, supporting our mission and setting the tone for the months ahead. From the unveiling of the House of DIFFA theme to the introduction of our Style Council Ambassadors, this event embodies the spirit of coming together to make a difference.”
Burgers + Burgundy will take place from 6-9 p.m. on the Glen Lawn, according to the press release, and will be hosted by Michelin-starred Chef John Tesar, who created the event and whose restaurant Knife used to be at The Highland Dallas. Aside from Tesar, 15 other chefs are involved in the event, including ones with East Dallas eateries: Taylor Rause of Rye, Eduardo Osorio of Meridian, Brad Miller of Punch Drunk Chef Meal Prep, Celina Gomez of Loro Asian Smokehouse and Angel Soto of NXT-GEN HOSPITALITY / Desperados Mexican Restaurant.
Burgers + Burgundy will be an evening of celebrity chef-crafted sliders paired with wine and fundraising for DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS) Dallas. Photo by Danny Campbell.
Tesar is planning to make his Ozersky Burger (named after his late friend and food writer Josh Ozersky), which is a cheeseburger with thin-sliced red onions, American cheese and a soft white bun, according to the press release.
“It’s an honor to have created this event and to help raise money for DIFFA and our community for the past 16 years,” Tesar said in the press release.
An individual ticket costs $100 and grants entry to the event as well as an invitation to experience the reimagined Meridian restaurant prior to its official reopening, according to the website where you buy the tickets. The VIP individual ticket costs $50 more and includes access to a VIP room at the Meridian after-party.
The press release states that VIP tickets also offer perks, like reduced raffle ticket prices, entry to the VIP bar and an appreciation gift.
Besides eating sliders and sipping wine, attendees can also participate in the Burgers + Burgundy raffle, which includes luxury prizes and experiences worth more than $1,000 each, according to the press release. Raffle tickets are $50 each, or two for $85, but VIPs can buy raffle tickets for $40 each.
Buy tickets here.
