The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) will host its annual “Taste! At The Star” fundraiser on April 17 at The Star in Frisco, the Dallas Cowboys’ headquarters. This event will bring together food enthusiasts, live music lovers, and community volunteers for an evening dedicated to addressing one of Texas’ most pressing issues: childhood hunger.
The event will feature a collection of signature dishes from more than 20 local restaurants and chefs, live entertainment and music, and some big auction lots. Proceeds will support NTFB’s Nourish Texas programs, which ensure that food-insecure children have consistent access to nutritious meals.
Texas leads the nation in hunger, per the NTFB, and the Dallas-Fort Worth area ranks third among American metroplexes for food insecurity. Within the 12 counties the NTFB serves, one in five children doesn’t know where their next meal will come from – more than 254,000 kids in total, making the region the fourth-highest child food insecurity rate in the country.
“Taste! At The Star is one of our favorite nights of the year – and it fuels a mission that matters,” Trisha Cunningham, president and CEO of the North Texas Food Bank, told The Dallas Express. “And behind the fun is a serious purpose: making sure kids don’t have to worry about their next meal. This unforgettable evening raises critical funds for the 1 in 5 North Texas children facing hunger. Every ticket purchased makes a real difference – each one helps provide access to 600 nutritious meals.”
Originally known as “Taste of the Cowboys,” the fundraiser has grown over two decades into the booming charity event it is known as today. This year’s dining preview includes brisket crostini from Lockhart Smokehouse, Ahi Tuna Mexicana from The Mexican, and a Viennese chocolate mousse bar from La Duni Baking Studio. Other participating restaurants include names like Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, Uchiko, Nick & Sam’s, Haywire, Bird Bakery, Salum, Raising Cane’s, and Portillo’s.
Over the past year, the NTFB provided access to more than 41 million nutritious meals for children in its service area. During the 2024–2025 school year alone, the organization distributed more than 2.6 million meals through its School Pantry Program and nearly 720,000 through its Food 4 Kids backpack initiative – reaching more than 5,500 children weekly across 250 schools.
“When children have reliable access to nutritious food, they can focus on learning, growing, and reaching their potential. This event helps make that possible for thousands of families across North Texas,” added co-chair Janet Ryan.
Individual tickets start at $250, with table sponsorships beginning at $2,500. Tickets and information are available at ntfb.org/taste.