Dallas’s own celebrity chef Dean Fearing, the “Father of Southwestern Cuisine” and longtime chef at the Mansion at Turtle Creek before opening his critically-acclaimed Fearing’s restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton in Dallas, made a surprise appearance at the American Express Centurion Lounge at DFW today and will be here until 4:30pm!
American Express is bringing Executive Chefs and Head Mixologists to many of their Centurion Lounges over the first two weeks of December to surprise and delight passengers who happen to be passing through. Not only will there be special seasonal dishes but also holiday recipe cards, spice blends, and cookbook signings. Depending on the location, guests will also enjoy treats like L’Occitane skincare sets, chocolate making with Vosges, and Allure beauty boxes, in addition to special Dopp Kit sets from Away.
Chef Fearing was giving away bottles of his new sauces in addition to a barbecue spice rub made just for the occasion!
“Chef Dean” helped design the menu at the DFW Centurion Lounge, as part of their commitment to working with prominent local chefs and mixologists to craft menus and drinks local to the area. American Express was kind enough to invite me for some pictures of the surprise visit. Chef Fearing was in his element and was about as personable and outgoing as you could possibly imagine!
The food was lovely as usual, with finger foods alongside Granny Dean’s famous cheese ball (complete with recipe cards for folks to make them on their own)!
“This holiday season, millions of Card Members will rely on American Express to ease their travel,” said Chris Cracchiolo, SVP, Global Loyalty & Benefits, American Express. “We are thrilled to partner with the Executive Chefs and Head Mixologists of The Centurion Lounges to bring our Card Members custom seasonal offerings within our Centurion Lounges to help make their holiday travel a little more enjoyable.”
Kudos to American Express for doing even more to set themselves and their Centurion Lounges apart as the premier lounge and travel offering in the USA and, with the lounge in Hong Kong and the newly announced lounge in London, the world!