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.
RETURNING FOR THE second year to the new Allen Parkway development Autry Park, Chefs for Farmers welcomed more than 2,500 foodies for two sunny days of feasting al fresco, all in the name of raising money for local farmers and charity partners.
Following the success of last year’s event, the festival expanded to two days as 40-plus of Houston’s top chefs paired up with local farms to create bites for guests to taste. Each day the attendants voted on their favorite creation. Doko, a sushi joint opening this fall, won Saturday with its Maguro Crudo. And Mandola’s Catering took the top prize on Sunday with tortellini served with a perfectly tender Wagyu meatball. Guests also enjoyed wine and fun boozy pop-ups like the Kettle One Bloody Mary station as they enjoyed the first taste of fall in Houston!
The festival raised $15,000, which was divvied up between Urban Harvest and Houston Food Bank, as well as among local farms including Verdegreens Farms, Blackwood Educational Land Institute, Statkar Farms Wagyu, Animal Farm, Rosewood Ranches and Central Texas Lamb.
Chef Hugo Ortega
Chris Wadley, Katherine Whaley, Jennifer LeGrand, Nicole Graf
Chef Aaron Bludorn
Frankie B. Madola's Catering Team - Winner of Best Bite on Sunday
Chef Mayank Istwal
Leonard Botello IV and Brandon Botello
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- Urban Harvest Celebrates Two Big Milestones, Plans Community Celebrations — We Dig It! - Houston CityBook ›
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At Delectable Valobra Gourmet Event, Caviar Shimmers Along with the Jewels
Daniel Ortiz
Oct. 5, 2023
THE NAME VALOBRA is well associated with fabulous jewels. But lately it’s also become associated with world-class gourmet grub!
“Franco Valobra and Valobra Master Jewelers hosted their second fine food and drink event ‘Discover the Hidden Treasure,’ in collaboration with WorldClass, a premiere purveyor of specialty foods and delicacies worldwide,” explained a rep for the noted jeweler. “Legendary Argentine chef Dante Liporace was on hand to showcase his creative culinary talent by using incredible ingredients from around the globe to create an unforgettable dining experience.”
Marvelous morsels on offere included Juan Diego’s Polanco caviar, Iberico Spanish ham and an extensive menu of passed treats. Specialty cocktails featured Black Pig Gin from Portugal and Fermin Iberico-infused bourbon. Sparkling cava, as well as red and white wines from Torello and creative tea concoctions from Portugal, were also poured.
“Valobra Master Jewelers and WorldClass invited clients and friends, as well as the local food-focused community, to experience a thoughtfully curated culinary journey that brings Argentine heritage and international gastronomic innovation to Texas,” says John Bergman, co-founder and CEO of WorldClass. “Our mission at WorldClass is to celebrate chefs who are revolutionizing today’s fine dining.”
Giancarlo and Lisa Ferrara of Amalfi Restaurant were spotted in the crowd, as were Puja and Kiran Verma of Kiran’s, Tony Gutierrez of Monarch Hospitality, Remington Bruce of MAD and Constable Alan Rosen.
Eva Dulcich, Remington Bruce
Giancarlo Ferrara, Lisa Ferrara
Jo Ann Petersen, Laura Mudd
Mel Jacobs
Rasheia Anderson, Jeff Anderson
Rocco Silvestri, Tina Silvestri
Ryan and Cassie Hallsted
Chase Toomey, Rhonda Waters
Jean-Philippe Gaston, Pedro Garcia
Jeff, Sam, Kathryn, Stephen Smith
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