Justin Yu, Chris Shepherd, Robert Del Grande and Hugo Ortega
Carrie Wirsing and Jeanette Jenkins
Casey Axelrod, Stacey White, Christy Robinson, Laura Lewis and Mia Oliva
“Not only was the Cotton Tailgate the largest tailgating space at 3,700 square feet, but it featured eight chandeliers, six large screen TVs, dedicated lounge spaces specially decorated for UT and A&M fans, and a massive charcuterie stadium made out of solid cheese which served as a replica of Kyle Field,” explained a rep for Cotton. “Cotton Culinary Executive Chef Wade Schindler also prepared a game-worthy lineup including dino ribs, Texas caviar, RC Ranch Wagyu hot dogs, steak au poivre potatoes, brisket sliders and much more.”
Bell himself was a genuine celeb at the game. He participated in the coin flip to start the game with Gov. Greg Abbott, and he sponsored the Cotton Holdings Lone Star Showdown trophy — this year taken home by the UT Longhorns.
VIPs in the crowd included famed former A&M coach R.C. Slocum, NFL great Quan Cosby, ESPN host Pat McAfee, Duke Austin, Randy McIlvoy, Whitney and Marc Lawson, Donae Chramosta, Shelley Ludwick, Hunter Bell, Bailey and Hayden Layne and Cotton execs Bryan Michalsky and Zinat Ahmed.
Cotton Holdings. is a leading disaster and infrastructure support services company headquartered in Houston, the company says.
Hayden and Bailey Layne
Stacey and Russell White, Pete Bell and Zinat Ahmed
Pat McAfee
Longhorn fans
Cynthia and Heath Bratton
Bryan Michalsky and Pete Bell
Donae Charmosta and Zinat Ahmed
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Participating restaurants and hospitality outfits, working from booths ringing the room and doling out tasty treats to guests, included A Fare Extraordinaire, Clarkwood, Cut Above Spirits, Eunice, Field & Tides, Guard and Grace, Hando, Le Jardinier, Leo’s River Oaks, MaKiin Concepts Hospitality, Marmo, Money Cat, Navy Blue, Queen Bee Distilling and Relish Restaurant & Bar.
Besides great food, there were moving moments. Pete and Vivian Vandenbout, this year’s March of Dines ambassador family, shared a heartfelt story of preterm birth and infant loss.
“Signature Chefs brings together top culinary talent and the community to shine a light on the state of maternal and infant health in Houston and around the US,” said March of Dimes Senior Executive Director Jen Torres. “Locally, we continue to face significant threats to the health of moms and babies, with 1 in 8 babies being born premature and significant disparities among racial and ethnic groups.”
Kristen Cannon and Whitney Lawson
Meg and Garth Roe
Aaron Bludorn
Nicholas VandenBout and auctioneer Randy Davis
Tiffany Halik, Kristina Wilson and Nora Jarrad
Melanie Camp and Jen Torres
Milka Waterland and Elia Gabbanelli
Karen and Seth Lerner