Piehole Project Honors Dallas Culinary Talents
The annual Cheffies awards ceremony celebrated local chefs and industry contributors at The Village Country Club.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Food and Drink
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The Piehole Project recognized several members of the Dallas-Fort Worth culinary community at the recent Cheffies: Chefs Choice Awards. The organization provides professional development opportunities for local chefs by funding paid stages through its annual charitable events.
Why it matters
The Piehole Project fosters the DFW culinary community by supporting established chefs and developing the next generation of culinary leaders. Through its unique mission, the organization creates pathways for professional growth that might otherwise be unavailable to local talent.
Since launching in 2020, the organization has auctioned 243 pies and raised over $60,000. These funds are used to support professional development through paid stage opportunities for local chefs.
The players
The Piehole Project
A charitable organization that supports the DFW culinary community by auctioning pies to fund professional development for chefs.
Marley Dablo
The winner of the Rising Stagiaire award who secured a funded stage opportunity with a nationally recognized chef.
Jill Bates
An award-winning pastry chef recognized for excellence within the Dallas culinary industry.
Matt Balke
A culinary professional recognized at the Cheffies for his innovative dish concepts.
The details
Award recipients included Marley Dablo, who earned the Rising Stagiaire honor, and Mike Matis, who received the Lifetime Achievement in Making It Work award. Additional honorees featured Matt Balke, Rhonda McCullar, AQ Pittman, and Jill Bates, who was named Best Pastry Chef.
Timeline
The Piehole Project launched in 2020.
The Cheffies: Chefs Choice Awards occurred in October 2026.
The 2026 Piehole Auction will run November 9-22.
Industry Dynamics
The Piehole Project's mission of funding professional culinary stages acts as a bridge for aspiring talent in an increasingly competitive dining market. This awards ceremony highlights how local grassroots organizations can shape the career trajectories of professional chefs.
Local food enthusiasts can support the continued development of DFW culinary leaders by participating in the upcoming auction. Attending these events provides direct funding for stage opportunities for talented local chefs.
The takeaway
Supporting local culinary non-profits helps ensure that talented chefs receive the training and opportunities necessary for career longevity. Readers interested in the culinary arts can contribute to the professional growth of their favorite local chefs by engaging with these community-driven initiatives.
What happens next
The 2026 Piehole Auction is scheduled to run from November 9 through November 22, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the local scene, visit Dallas Food and Drink.
More information
To learn more or participate, visit the Piehole Project registration and auction portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by White Rock Lake Weekly.
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