Star Chefs Twirl into Hottest Restaurant in Town for Record-Breaking Ballet Fundraiser

Wilson Parish
Star Chefs Twirl into Hottest Restaurant in Town for Record-Breaking Ballet Fundraiser

Maria Lowrey, Connor Walsh and Lindsey Brown

AS IS THE case with many fundraisers this spring, the Houston Ballet’s Raising the Barre event returned after a pandemic hiatus for a record-breaking night.


Montrose mega-hot-spot Bludorn — decked out by Bergner and Johnson with bright springtime florals — played host for the evening. Four of the city’s most beloved chefs were paired with four Houston Ballet dancers to create a four-course culinary experience for 150 guests.

The first course, prepared by Kata Robata’s Chef Hori and Ballet soloist Mackenzie Richter — who helped inspire the dish, and also served as sous chef — was sashimi, sushi and Japanese-style braised octopus with wasabi. Chris Shepherd worked with demi soloist Chae Eun Yang to prepare his famous Korean braised goat and dumplings with Korean Ssam. Inspired by demi soloist Naazir Muhammad’s African background, Bludorn’s exec chef Aaron Bludorn crafted the entrée of blackened grouper with djolof rice, tamarind, black garlic and eggplant.

And to cap off the delicious evening, Fluff Bake Bar’s Rebecca Masson and first soloist Chris Coomer served up a Pavlova of rhubarb, raspberry, pistachio and caramelized white chocolate. Sweet!

This year’s Raising the Barre enjoyed a matching-gift pledge by the Jerry C. Dearing Family Foundation, which brought the total to $150,000 and made it the most successful ever!

Rob and Corinne Davis, Maria and John Stavinoha

Aaron Bludorn and Naazir Muhammad

Marc and Duyen Nguyen

Amy Pincu and Lilly Harrison

Mackenzie Richter with her and Chef Hori's first course

Beth Muecke, Charles Yoshiyama and Jaquel Charlesworth

Lauren Anderson and Jennifer Sommers

Billy and Dina Whitaker

Kamilah Todd, Kelli Comiskey and Elizabeth Abels

Chris Shepherd and Chae Run Yang

Jim Nelson, Mackenzie Richter, Reggie and Leigh Smith

Rebecca Mason and Chris Coomer with their dessert

Fady Armanious and Kristy Bradshaw

Dannika Simpson, Mike Hawkins and Liliana Soltero

Aaron Bludorn and Naazir Muhammad

Harrison and Lilly Cullen, Amy and Jordan Pincu

Parties
Consistent Focus on the Patient Is What Sets Montrose Med Spa Apart

Owner Maricela Olivo and Montrose Med Spa

WHAT MAKES MONTROSE Med Spa stand apart from the competition? We set ourselves apart from the competition by being consistently focused on one thing: the patient. With that focus, we will succeed in a successful and healthy experience and loyalty to Montrose Med Spa. Staying true to our message of intentional wellness is a point of difference where I see other spas being unclear and distracted in their direction. By listening to our patients, we ensure we meet and exceed their expectations. We continually stay on top of the market by offering the best innovative body sculpting and skin treatments that invigorate and energize and are specifically designed to restore balance and strength and renew youth to the body. We also utilize a number of marketing programs to stay on the minds of our guests, including radio, TV, direct mail, email blasts, and unique invitations for exclusive treatments. One element that helps to establish the bar and sets us apart from our competition is our emphasis on providing a complete medical gym experience—from the varied treatments with Emsculpt Neo to a personalized health and wellness and skin evaluation for each individual by our certified staff. We also provide a noninvasive, pain-free, and needle-free facelift through EMFace in addition to offering monthly beauty memberships that create a commitment to the overall wellbeing of the patient.

Keep Reading Show less

Santé's Verde Room

COCKTAILS ON FIRE, caviar carts, and three-hundred-year-old olive trees, oh my! It’s all at Santé (French for cheers!), which has bowed on Richmond in Upper Kirby.

Keep Reading Show less
Food

The Rusty Parrot's courtyard

THE CLUES ARE there from the start: The Jackson Hole airport entrance is marked with an iconic arch made of elk antlers. The airport-transfer driver has binoculars perched on his dash. And the famously jagged Tetons immediately beckon on the picturesque drive to the lodge.

Keep Reading Show less
People + Places