Celeb Chefs Meet, Greet and Serve Nearly 1,500 at Massive Tasting Event — All in the Name of Farmers

Celeb Chefs Meet, Greet and Serve Nearly 1,500 at Massive Tasting Event — All in the Name of Farmers

Beth Hebert, Devon Day, Stephanie James and Betsy Spomer (Photo by Dave Rossman)

HOUSTON’S CELEB CHEFS competed on a beautiful fall day at the city’s first Chefs for Farmers event. Held at Autry Park, the tasting event — which started in Dallas in 2011 — drew a crowd of 1,300, who perused booths hosted by 30-plus chefs and serving food prepared with ingredients from seven local farms.


Wineries and distilleries also participated, pouring drinks for guests, who voted for their favorite bite; Leonard Botello IV of Truth BBQ took home the day’s top honors. Other notable participants were Hugo Ortega of Backstreet Café, Ryan Pera of Coltivare, Aaron Bludorn of Bludorn, and Austin Waiter of the forthcoming Marigold Club

Chefs For Farmers partnered with Urban Harvest to select the farms for which the event raised funds and awareness. Additionally, Houston Food Bank brought its Empty Bowls program to the event, adding another colorful fundraising element.

Lauren Ruehl and Enrique Martinez (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Andrea White, Ronald Tata and Megan White (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Ayde Ulloa, Jesse Ulloa and Lenor Cecchice (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Bludorn (Photo by Addison Hall)

Erin Johnson and Daniel Bogan (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Grace Ryan and Jackie Heston (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Heather Torres and Sarah Connor (Photo by Dave Rossman)

J.P. and Dani Garland with Emily and Bryce Jones (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Jacquie Baly and James Craig (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Jessica Baldwin and Taryn Anderson (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Parties
What’s the Secret to Biz Success? ‘Show Up with Kindness,’ Says Bianca Bucaram

How did you get to where you are today? Passion, persistence, and faith, and a little bit of luck. I graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in Political Science and Spanish, on the track to be pre-med. Little did I know that a journey to help my younger sister would set my course to sail in PR. I had no background in communication, except my raw talent, and was fortunate enough to have a family member who needed her story to be told! I was helping tell my younger sister (one of the most recognized influencers in the online vegan community) @fullyrawkristina’s story, and it all blossomed from there.

Keep Reading Show less

The shiny new Dr. Jack Express electric locomotive

JUST IN TIME for a long weekend — and a teeny reprieve from triple-digit temps — Hermann Park Conservancy has announced it will offer free train rides from Aug. 31-Sept. 6 to celebrate a pair of new locomotives.

Keep Reading Show less
People + Places

Refreshing bites at Bloom & Bee; the famous French onion soup at Artisans (photo by Shane Dante)

THIS SUMMER HAS been uniquely brutal for the hospitality industry, with devastating losses from the derecho and Beryl. But a bright spot for many has been Houston Restaurant Weeks, the annual August event that gives foodies and restaurants alike a jolt of energy.

Keep Reading Show less
Food