At Dress for Success and Women of Wardrobe's annual Summer Soiree, generously hosted by Tootises, fashion-forward attendees dressed in pretty pastels, bold patterns and lots of ruffles — many designed by Houston's Hunter Bell, who showed off her fall line alongside jewelry by Claudia Lobao. Chairs Karishma Asrani, Courtney Campo, Allie Danziger and Melissa Sugulas welcomed guests to the event, which toasted the 20th anniversary of Dress for Success, and raised more than $20,000 for the org.
TOP CHEFS TEAMED up to raise $100,000 for Urban Harvest’s community gardens. The night began with open-air cocktail hour in the upstairs lounge and patio of Georgia James. Around 200 supporters sipped a fall cocktail made with Tito’s, and also indulged in the Champagne cart provided by Madame Zero. Bottoms up!
Janna Roberson, Urban Harvest’s Executive Director, ushered guests downstairs to the ultra-chic main dining room, where a six-course, family-style dinner awaited. Georgia James’ Scott Muns took on the first course: beef rillette and sourdough bread. Next up was Elaine Won of Dumpling Haus, who served perfectly crispy fried shrimp wontons. The third course was prepared by Matthew Hamilton of Rosie Cannonball; he created generous portions of butternut squash and mushroom pasta. Brasserie 19’s Michael Hoffman took the fourth course with roasted chicken and caramelized turnip, followed by Tim Reading of the not-yet-opened Leo’s, who cooked up pork loin with toasted Texas pecans.
For dessert, you ask? Hoffman and Hamilton collabed on a to-die-for panna cotta. (Yes, everyone made room.)
Urban Harvest provides community-garden programming, farmers markets, gardening classes and youth education to Houstonians.
Ellie Heinrich, Haley Kurisky, Kay Kurisky, George Kurisky
Rick Chambers, Katherine Chambers, Jackie Wallace, Bass Wallace.
Elaine Won of Dumpling Haus
Heath LaPray, Travis Torrence, Ashton and Sammy Ford
Hillary Jebbitt, Stephanie Fleck, Thea Pheasey
Iris Shaftel, Ellen Weitz, Bailey Dalton, Alston White
Scott Muns of Georgia James
Tami Kazdal, Heather, Chandler Sultan
Tim Reading of Leo's
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A Magical Night Fetches $300K for No-Kill Shelter — and You Have to Hear Burrito the Dog’s Moving Story
Nov. 17, 2023
MAGIC WAS IN the air at the Four Seasons hotel Downtown, where Friends for Life hosted its annual fundraiser. The 300-plus guests were greeted not only by a pack of adoptable pups, but also by Caesar the Magician, who entertained the crowd before the seated dinner.
Raising $300,000 for the no-kill shelter, the evening featured an elaborate, three-course vegan meal by Four Seasons exec chef Paul Peddle including a surprising vegan take on beef wellington. Animal lovers also sipped cocktails named after adoptable pets from Friends for Life, such as the Pimm’s Cup and the Lulu Lemon.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the ballroom as a video played telling the story of five-year-old dog Burrito, who six months ago was found abandoned in an apartment in Indiana. The team drove to get Burrito and discovered he was too overweight to even walk. Nursed back to health in Houston, the lights came on in the ballroom and Burrito ran in to shower Friends for Life founder Salise Shuttlesworth with slobbery kisses. (And he’s still looking for a home!)
Located in the Heights, Friends For Life’s mission is to provide medical care, behavior training, food, and safe havens for animals in need.
Sherry Waddell and adoptable dog MoMo
Bonnie Babola and Robert Fisher
Crystal Hernandez and adoptable puppy Peanut
Robin Humphrey and Joe Radzwill
Geoff Marolda, Jennifer Boyd, Payal Thakker, Ashley Lupica, Amanda Jacobs, Sheena Kelly
Burrito's Story
Many of you have been following Burrito’s story. We put his journey in a single video for our gala. If you missed the event, please know that Burrito deligh...
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