Truffles, Risotto and Wine — Oh My! Foodie Festival Savors Its 15th Year

Truffles, Risotto and Wine — Oh My! Foodie Festival Savors Its 15th Year

Tim and Kristen Delgado, Selena Mackay and Charles Martens

A BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY contributed to the 15th annual International Risotto Festival's astounding turnout.


More than 725 Houstonians hit up the Houston Design Center for a full afternoon of food and fun. Chef stations featured tastings of antipasti and fine wines — and, of course, risotto: Eight chefs competed for the ultimate title of Best Risotto Dish, and the honors went to Maurizio Ferrarese for the third time. The Alba Ristorante chef's creamy saffron risotto with black truffles and short rib certainly earned the top prize, while Concura's Angela Cuppone garnered second place for his pumpkin risotto.

The rest of the afternoon also adopted an Italian theme. The Design Center's grounds featured both Italian music and exotic cars, and the hundreds of guests — including Federico Ciattaglia, the Consul General of Italy — spent hours strolling, sipping and savoring.

The afternoon grossed more than $135,000, and net proceeds will go to Second Servings of Houston, a "food-rescue" org whose mission is to minimize food waste and fight hunger.

Kristine Cruz and Magdalina Spangelo

Camille Buffalo and Jessie Joseph

Joey and Elizabeth Borski

James Madget, Martha Adger, Marilyn and Michael Smith

Carlos and Karina Barbieri

Chef Maurizio Ferrarese of Alba Ristorante at The Hotel Granduca

Annaliese Settles and Ariana Fathivand

Faith Pate and Uriel Quintanilla

David and Jodie Stocker

Daniele Pinto, Gina Musachia and Stephanie Perkins

Consul General of Italy Federico Ciattaglia, Sheri Roane, Barbara Bronstein and Rose-Ann Aargon

Chris and Ashton Joseph

Food
Ex-Tomboy Jentry Kelley Has Become a Beauty-Biz Titan, Believes in Taking ‘Leaps of Faith’

For someone who has never heard of Jentry Kelley or Jentry Kelley Cosmetics, what is your elevator pitch? Simple, clean, no fuss skincare and makeup. If you want clean, yet easy to use, and you are not a self-proclaimed makeup artist, this brand is for you. We are education-focused. When you have the confidence to do it on your own and tools to make it look right, you can look and feel your best every day when you head out to take over the world.

Keep Reading Show less

The Cottages at the Boat Basin

THERE'S A REASON that many Houstonians glorify a quaintly picturesque life on Nantucket. Actually, there are several: a storied history, charming shops, cobblestone streets, impossibly fresh oysters (and need we even mention the weather?).

Keep Reading Show less
People + Places

Saba Syed, Founder of Oasis Moroccan Bath

How did you get to where you are today? My journey began with a need to be financially independent and an even a deeper drive to create a lasting legacy. The centuries-old Hammam tradition has always fascinated me—not just for its relaxation benefits, but for its holistic approach to cleansing the body, mind, and soul. So, combining my passion with a vision to bring an authentic yet luxurious Hammam spa experience to Houston, I took the leap less than two years ago to open my own spa.

Keep Reading Show less