THIS YEAR, THE in-person holiday parties hit different. More than 250 guests turned out to celebrate the season, along with the life of catering king and philanthropist Jackson Hicks, at the annual Schmooze event benefiting Legacy Community Health.

Hicks’ venue The Corinthian was decked out as a winter wonderland by several of his industry colleagues and collaborators, including Richard Flowers with The Events Company and Bergner & Johnson’s Rebekah Johnson. Flocked Christmas trees, sparkling light displays and stunning floral arrangements made for a most festive evening.

Music was something Hicks, known as Houston’s Prince of Parties, greatly appreciated, so it was fitting that holiday tunes played from beginning to end. The Open Door Mission Ensemble greeted guests. And, following moving tributes by many of Hicks’ other friends, a concert produced by his pal HGO’s Patrick Summers — and starring soprano Christine Goerke, pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet and cellist Chris Ellis, among others — received a standing ovation.

Hicks was praised for his support of organizations such as The Center for AIDS, where he first launched the Schmooze event. This year’s soiree was chaired by society heavy-hitters Bill Caudell and Randy Powers, Sara Dodd and Will Denton, Melanie Gray and Mark Wawro, Nancy McGregor and Neal Manne, Becca Cason Thrash and John Thrash, Milton Townsend, and Phoebe and Bobby Tudor. It raised more than $300,000 for Legacy, which established the Jackson Hicks Endowed Fund for the Awareness, Prevention and Treatment of HIV/AIDS.

Terry Wayne Jones, Nancy McGregor

Ceron

Chree Boydstun, Richard Flowers

Shannon Hall, Renita Cooksey

Jo Furr, Erin Stimming

John Thrash and Becca Cason Thrash

Sarah Dodd, Will Denton

Kenny Rogers, Tom Young, Steve Nall, David Wright

Rob Giardinelli, Milton Townsend, Lance Avery Morgan

Michael Mithoff, Chree Boydstun, Melissa Mithoff

Phoebe and Bobby Tudor

Greg Parker, Lisa Foronda

Vivian Wise

David and Mary Ann McKeithan, Jeff Smith