David Adickes and Bun B
For the sixth time, Houston CityBook magazine in its fall 2023 issue featured beautiful new portraits of icons and rising stars in a variety of fields. In partnership with Steak 48 and Tilman Fertitta’s Post Oak Collection luxury auto dealers, Executive Publisher Lisa Holthouse and Editor-in-Chief Jeff Gremillion welcomed Leaders & Legends past and present and other notables to honor the ’23 class.
“The Leaders & Legends issue is the most prestigious and important feature we make all year,” says Gremillion. “And the annual party has become a top-tier social occasion, and we’re delighted.”
The editor added that the private space upstairs at the popular River Oaks steakhouse, decked out in florals in fall colors by Lexis Florist, was an ideal setting. A buttoned-up staff circulated, offering memorable bites such as fresh burrata with tomato jam, and sliced New York strip served on truffled hashbrown cubes. Wine and sophisticated cocktails were on offer; Old Fashioned’s were a favorite of the night.
Per the custom, the party is an unfussy affair in which speechifying is kept to a minimum, and luminaries are encouraged to rub elbows and enjoy each other’s company. The only break in the hobnobbing came when Gremillion took to the mic to officially toast this year’s honorees. They include record-breaking hip-hop star and Trill Burgers restaurateur Bun B; senior artist David Adickes, who at 96 is still a cultural force; renowned heart surgeon and researcher Bud Frazier, who’s invented several iterations of the artificial heart and also presided over more heart transplants than anyone on Earth; and high-impact and highly beloved philanthropist Cynthia Petrello.
Those feted by CityBook also include Alex Brennan-Martin, namesake and owner of the legendary Brennan’s of Houston; reigning James Beard Award-winning chef Benchawan Jabthong Painter of Street to Kitchen; oncologist and pioneering MD Anderson researcher Van Morris; Kristy Bradshaw, who’s currently serving in a top leadership role at both Houston Ballet and Hermann Park Conservancy; resilient sculptor Abbie Preston Edmonson, who overcame a devastating fire to establish a noted new arts studio; and real estate development titans Kendall Miller and David Weekley.
Guests included The Post Oak Collection’s Diane Caplan, Astros owner Jim Crane, meteorologist Frank Billingsley, modeling agency titan Page Parkes, artist Taft McWhorter, philanthropist Cheryl Byington, fashion designer and reality TV star Chloe Dao, and famous Houston Ballet dancers Lauren Anderson and Connor Walsh.
Jim Crane, Tony and Cynthia Petrello and Lisa Holthouse
Connor Walsh and Lauren Anderson
Robin and Alex Brennan-Martin
Tina Governale, Stephanie Paget and Peter Remington
Mario Gudmundsson and Cheryl Byington
Dr. Joe Rodgers and Sandra Burgess
Todd Ramos, Page Parkes and Frank Galvan
Bun B and Jalen Baker
Kristy Bradshaw
Abbie Preston Edmonson
Dr. Bud Frazier and Dr. Van Morris
Jumer Adalin, Blake Taylor, Nicholas Glenn and Christopher Nodd
Danielle and Arch Rowan
Stephanie Paget, Meredith Beaumont, Tina Governale, Katherine Ross and Alison Young
Mitchell Greco, Jeff Gremillion and Brandon Weinbrenner
Vicki Luna, Katherine Ross and Jen Torres
Brian Spack, Walter Bering and Richard Hester
Tamara Washington, Alanna Murray and Alison Young
Central Market cheese boards
Founded by Charles Butt, the owner of Texas-based H-E-B Grocery Co., the first Central Market opened in 1994 in Austin and now there are branches across America. Butt’s vision was to make Central Market a destination for high-quality and specialty food like cheeses, coffees, chocolates and condiments from all over the globe; house-baked bread; prime meat and seafood; terrific wines and prepared foods. Even its floral department is awe-inspiring.
Central Market recently hosted a Holiday Spectacular where many of the foodie gifts, desserts, wines, cooked seafood and beef, and chef-made meals were on display to prove that the stress of holiday cooking can be alleviated. Expect seven different chef-prepared meal options and a complete holiday feast for up to 14 guests.
Braised short-rib meal
Cast-iron skillet by Fredericksburg Co.
Calyan Wax soy evergreen eucalyptus candle
Bûche de noël
Artajo olive oils
A few meals to consider include the All-Natural Oven-Roasted Traditional Turkey Meal with cornbread dressing, green beans with toasted almonds, whipped Yukon potatoes, turkey gravy, and cranberry sauce (serves six to eight). The Herb-Encrusted Beef Tenderloin Meal comes complete with herb au jus, jalapeño pecan dressing, green beans with toasted almonds, and whipped Yukon potatoes (serves six to eight). There’s a spiral ham option, turkey breast, as well as a vegetarian meal.
Prepared side dishes are available to go with your main meal like Italian sausage bread stuffing, apple, walnut and coastal cheddar salad, oven roasted vegetables, herb-roasted delicata squash, roasted Brussels sprouts, and macaroni and cheese. The fresh meat market carries indulgences including USDA Prime Natural Angus Beef standing rib roast; natural Prime Angus Beef Chateaubriand; Heritage Duroc French rack of pork and the Heritage Duroc pork crown roast.
Appetizers are many, with select cheese trays available from the artisan cheese department. And don’t forget dessert from the in-house bakery! Take home fresh pies baked in a flaky pie shell in nine flavors: four season, traditional apple, traditional cherry, pumpkin chiffon, pumpkin cream cheese, traditional pecan, bourbon pecan, and chocolate pecan. Spread holiday cheer with chocolate bûche de noël, pumpkin bread, stout gingerbread, and brioche pull-apart dinner rolls. Holiday Meals ordering will close at 6pm on Dec. 22 – visit this link to order and note designated pick-up dates and times.
Sophisticated foodie and hostess gifts we spied at the holiday showcase ranged from seasonal candles — think eucalyptus and pumpkin spice — to Haku Mizunara Whiskey Barrel aged Shoyu and lovely Flamigni half panettone, the ultimate Italian holiday sweet bread dotted with fruit and tied up with a red bow. For the olive oil aficionado, the Artajo Olive Oil gift set includes six varieties to savor and cook with.
Another unexpected find is the Fredericksburg Cast Iron Co. cast iron skillet. Made in Fredericksburg, Texas, this heavy-duty beauty has a glass-smooth polished interior not found in other cast iron cookware. Each skillet is seasoned by hand, creating a non-stick cooking experience. The envy of every cook!
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