Master Chefs

One of the most star-studded events in the food world rightfully came to H-Town. The James Beard Foundation broadcast its 2019 nominees during a ceremony in Houston, and on the eve of the announcement, the city’s top chefs hosted a Friends of James Beard benefit dinner at Hugo Ortega’s Caracol. Each of the several courses — plus the cocktails! — was crafted by a Beard-nominated or -winning chef, including Ortega, Robert Del Grande, Chris Shepherd, Justin Yu, Bobby Heugel and many others.

Paula Murphy and Quy Tran

Justin Yu, Chris Shepherd, Robert Del Grande and Hugo Ortega

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Fifty & Fab

The Post Oak Hotel’s grand ballroom turned into a supper club “under the stars” for TUTS’ 50th anniversary celebration and annual gala. A gourmet dinner was accompanied by Broadway-quality theater, beginning with a moving performance of “Seasons of Love” from the musical Rent, sung by local stars and students from TUTS’ educational programs. Then Idina Menzel took the spotlight, ending her show by inviting the kids back to the stage to sing “Let It Go.” Aided by auction items like trips to South Africa, the night raised a record-setting $1.4 million.

Priscilla Dickson and Wilson Parish

Margaret Alkek Williams and Joanna Marks

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Wild Things!

The Houston Zoo’s annual gala this year took on the theme of Flights of Fancy, celebrating the fascinating world of birds and raising funds for the organization’s forthcoming Avian Conservation Center and its other ongoing preservation efforts. And what a high-flying event it was! Hundreds packed the Zoo’s Masihara Pavilion, which was transformed into an elegant ballroom for the evening. They mingled with special guests like Fiesta the llama, then enjoyed a colorful dinner by City Kitchen. Silent and live auctions, which included such prizes as the chance to name the Texas Wetlands exhibit’s three new alligators, helped bring the night’s total till to nearly $800,000.

Wilson Parish

John Stauffer & Melissa Stauffer

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