L.L.I Now
About
Lucian M. LaBarba
Food and Wine Ambassador for DFW
1917lml@gmail.com
Sicilians, who immigrated to America, and then Dallas in the late 1800s and early 1900s, shared traits that would translate into today’s robust, flourishing Italian community. They believed in hard work, living frugally and having the courage to invest their savings’ into businesses, according to the Dallas County Historical Society’s 1985 publication, “Heritage News.”
Among those, a 17-year-old Sicilian boy, Giacomo (James) LaBarba left his home in the small village of Campofelice di Fitalia (Palermo) in 1911 seeking a dream in America, and he made it happen.
The earliest LaBarba family members to emigrate from Sicily to America were his parents, Ciro and Cira LaBarba, who arrived in 1890. Their great grandson, Lucian M. LaBarba is helping to tell his family’s story here. The couple’s son Chris LaBarba also made the journey.
Chefs
JOHN TESAR
Knife | Dallas, TX
MICHAEL EHLERT
The French Room | Dallas
SHARON HAGE
Farm to Fork Consulting | Dallas
Honorees
press
FALL’S TRAVEL-WORTHY FESTIVALS
Fall features full weekends to celebrate all the seasonal flavors we’re craving — from bourbon and beer to apples and smoky barbecue — across the country (and in the Caribbean). … Texas’ best barbecue makers showcase their specialties in Austin, Dallas chefs celebrate farmers, and chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten headlines the Barbados Food & Rum Festival
The theme of the month long Texas State Fair might be “Celebrating Texas Agriculture,” but for two short nights in Dallas early this fall, the theme was brought home locally. For those two nights, Chefs for Farmers was the premier, locavore, city, and food event…a true Peak Plate experience.