Story by Kacie Frederick. Photos by Jan Osborn.
Returning to Dallas is the famous “in-person” Dallas All-Star Chef Classic event benefiting Dallas 24 Hour Club. The 24, as it’s affectionately called, provides transitional living, support services and essential life skills for homeless alcoholics and addicts, so they can embrace long-term sobriety and become contributing and self-supporting members of the Dallas community. In 2018, The 24 opened its new facility, and has served over 2,000 residents to date. Board member Shannon Wynne, and his wife, Kimberly Wynne, will chair this year’s Dallas All-Star Chef Classic.
Shannon and Kimberly Wynne. Photo courtesy of Shannon Wynne.
Shannon Wynne, coined as the man who “made Dallas hip,” is the proud owner of 34 restaurants nationwide. Known famously for his 8.0 Bar concept, Wynne is now the President of Eight-O Management LLC, Flying Fish LLC, and Moth Management LLC. Some iconic Dallas eateries, including the Flying Fish, the Flying Saucer, Meddlesome Moth, Miriam Cocina Latina, and Rodeo Goat, are just some of Wynne’s projects.
Wynne is very “hands on” in the design and decor of his restaurants. His newest, Rodeo Goat, is now open in Plano.
A proud Texan his whole life, Wynne is a graduate of Highland Park High School. Wynne is from a dynamic family as his father, Angus Wynne, developed Six Flags Over Texas, and his uncle, Bedford Wynne, was a co-founder of the Dallas Cowboys.
“Growing up with the Dallas Cowboys and Six Flags in my back pocket, I didn’t think anything of it,” said Wynne. “I thought everyone grew up that way. But, I soon realized that I was fortunate enough to be able to rub two nickels together more than most. I could afford to give money, but I could also afford my time.”
Wynne currently serves on the Board of Directors for Dallas 24 Hour Club and The Dallas Historical Society. In recent years, Wynne has been a board member of The Bridge Homeless Recovery Center, North Texas Food Bank, KERA, and other nonprofit organizations. Nevertheless, Wynne is particularly passionate about his service to Dallas 24 Hour Club because of their commitment to homeless sobriety, as Wynne is a recovered alcoholic himself.
By the age of 27, Wynne had lost both his parents to the disease of alcoholism. After witnessing their prosperous lives needlessly fade away, Wynne committed himself to sobriety in 1988. With drugs and alcohol being two significant instigators of homelessness, Wynne offers a unique perspective as a Board Director member for Dallas 24 Hour Club.
“Not everyone can come to The 24. Dallas 24 Hour Club holds the homeless responsible. They have to have the desire to get sober and to go to meetings. I appreciate this because it’s a lot of work–getting sober,” said Wynne.
Wynne is ecstatic to be chairing this year’s Dallas All-Star Chef Classic benefiting Dallas 24 Hour Club. The event will be held on Sunday, October 16th, from 5:30-8:00 PM at Lighthouse Artspace, starting with a VIP Reception for Premiere Sponsors at 5:00 PM. Delicious bites will be provided by Dallas’ top chefs. In addition to the exceptional cuisine, guests will be entertained with live music by the Jordan Kahn Orchestra and enjoy a Silent Auction.
“I told my wife, ‘just don’t let the party suck,’” said Wynne with a smile.
The Dallas 24 Hour Club is a registered nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides essential life skills for homeless individuals seeking recovery from addiction. To donate to this noble organization, please visit https://www.betterunite.com/dallas24hourclub-donatetodallas24hourclub. For more information about the Dallas All-Star Chef Classic event, please visit https://www.betterunite.com/dallasallstarchefclassic.
Featured
Featured
more good stories
Featured
