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
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Itai and Lin Ben Eli 
