(Mission, TX) – Did you know one of every three bites of food you eat is produced by a pollinator? Members of the RGV Chapter of the Texas Chefs’ Association do! That is why they celebrate the butterflies, birds and bees at the 22nd Annual Texas Butterfly Festival.

For the fifth straight year, these culinary artists will prepare the freshest and most flavorful foods South Texas has to offer for visitors from all over the world. Under the leadership of chapter director, Dustin Stair, both established and rising stars on the local restaurant scene will showcase their talents at the festival’s Keynote Speaker’s Banquet, featuring Sam Jaffe, creator of The Caterpillar Lab.

“Great food makes for a great the party,” explains Chef Stair, “We look forward to the Texas Butterfly Festival every year because the folks who attend have come here to pursue their passion. They are all so excited to enjoy world-class butterflying and experiences in the outdoors, but don’t necessarily come expecting world-class food. This is where we get to shine and share our passion with a sophisticated audience that really appreciates artistry and good taste.”
Certified Executive Chef, Dustin Stair, will be leading a small army of chefs who prepare meals for festival guests for all three days of field trips, educational sessions and socials. This year, the menu will focus on our rich cultural heritage and reflect flavors represented by the six flags of Texas. While Chef Stair will prepare dishes from the southern United States, Chef Doug O’Neil of the Rancho Viejo Resort & Country Club will concentrate on Spanish fare; Chefs Larry Delgado and Nadia Casaperila of SALT, will interpret Texas; Chef Adam Cavazos of Bodega, will present his creative rendition of Mexican cuisine; Chef Gabriel Fuentes of Nuri Mexican Korean Fusion will deliver elevated American favorites; and finally, Chef Nancy Cortez of Honey Cakes will present desserts reminiscent of French classics.

You are invited to enjoy the fruits of the chefs’ labor at the Keynote Speaker’s Banquet, Monday, November 4, at the National Butterfly Center. The food, atmosphere and entertainment promise to be colorful, romantic and energetic as the butterflies of Texas during this, their peak season. Tickets are $60 per person, and must be purchased in advance by calling 956.583.5400.

Hosted by the National Butterfly Center in Mission, Texas, the 22nd Annual Texas Butterfly Festival is the nation’s premier butterflying event. It brings people from all around the world to the Rio Grande Valley, to enjoy the unique volume and variety of wild butterflies that may only be found, here. This festival features three days of paid excursions, educational sessions and expert-guided trips to private gardens and renowned public places, including hot spots and hard-to-find places familiar to local butterfly enthusiasts.

To learn more about the 22nd Annual Texas Butterfly Festival, and how you may join in the fun, check out the full schedule events, field trips and educational sessions at www.texasbutterflyfestival.com. Online registration is closed, but space may be available for trips Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Call 956.583.5400 to inquire, today!

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The National Butterfly Center is committed to ‘Growing Connections’ between people, plants, and the winged wonders that pollinate and propagate all that grows around us. We do this through educational and environmental initiatives that cultivate meaningful understanding of the processes that create sustainable ecosystems. The Center is open to the public, for visitors and members, seven days/week.

To learn more about the National Butterfly Center, and how you can join us, visit www.nationalbutterflycenter.org, or call 956.583.5400. Your annual membership or charitable gift impacts the beauty of our community and helps preserve the biologically diverse, natural treasures of deep South Texas.