'Best Cellars' Returns with Fine Wine, Fab Food — and Big Names

Dave Rossman
'Best Cellars' Returns with Fine Wine, Fab Food — and Big Names

Nick and Jennifer Altman and Leah and Blake Nommensen

AFTER A TWO-YEAR hiatus, the Best Cellars wine dinner, benefiting the Martell Foundation, returned to the Hotel ZaZa in the Museum District.


Nearly 200 guests raised a glass (or several) to cancer research, and also enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by some of the city's finest chefs. Chef Chairman Mark Cox rounded up talent including BCN's Luis Roger, Le Jardinier's Alain Verzeroli and Felipe Botero, and Musaafer's Mayank Istwal to create plates that paired beautifully with rare fine wines from the cellars of local collectors.

The event, chaired by Franelle Rogers, included an exciting live auction as well as an afterparty with a performance by Texas-country singer-songwriter George Birge.

Tracy and Valerie Dieterich

Amalia and Brian Stanton

T.J. and Margaret Farnsworth

Anthony Zogheib and LeTricia Wilbanks

Cathy and David Herr

Mark Cox, Franelle Rogers and Robert Sakowitz

Chef Alain Verzeroli and Franelle Rogers

Lesha Elsenbrook, Caroline Kenney and Denise Monteleone

Dean Putterman, John Obsta and Ed Finger

Kimberly and James Bell

Fady Armanious and Bill Baldwin

Julia Gonzalez and Thor Egeli

George Birge

Jim and Jane Brann and Laura and Jerry Kent

Jan and Robin Lindley

Jill and Christian Varas

Parties
Leadership in Action: For Bianca Bucaram, ‘Strong Network and Family’ Are Essential

Bianca Bucaram, founder of The Bucaram PR Group and BXM Music

Get to Know Bianca:

Bianca Bucaram, founder of The Bucaram PR Group and BXM Music, is a dynamic force in the public relations industry. She is known for her tenacity, empathy, and bilingual communication skills. As a local publicist with national reach, she blends local insights with broader impact, telling compelling stories that foster business growth and create opportunities.

Keep Reading Show less

Photo by Lynn Lane

HOUSTON GRAND OPERA’S second fall repertoire production is Gioachino Rossini’s Cinderella. The colorful, commedia dell'arte-inspired production opens Friday, Oct. 25, and stars Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard — a breathtaking brunette beauty, even when doused in soot — in bel canto role of Angelina, known to her mean step-sisters as “Cenerentola.”

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment

BRETT MILLER WAS just 10 years old when his parents took him to a screening of the 1925 silent film, The Phantom of the Opera, starring Lon Chaney as “The Phantom” of the Paris Opera House, with an accompanying soundtrack played live by an organist. The film contains one of the most famous “reveals” on celluloid (We won’t give it away!) and is all the more shocking when accompanied by live music played on the Phantom’s favorite instrument.

Keep Reading Show less