Sun’s Out, Big Guns Out! Celeb Chefs Cook for 2,500 Foodies at Al Fresco Charity Event

Sun’s Out, Big Guns Out! Celeb Chefs Cook for 2,500 Foodies at Al Fresco Charity Event

Rachael Ruthmarie, Iris Midler, Ciara Salazar

RETURNING FOR THE second year to the new Allen Parkway development Autry Park, Chefs for Farmers welcomed more than 2,500 foodies for two sunny days of feasting al fresco, all in the name of raising money for local farmers and charity partners.


Following the success of last year’s event, the festival expanded to two days as 40-plus of Houston’s top chefs paired up with local farms to create bites for guests to taste. Each day the attendants voted on their favorite creation. Doko, a sushi joint opening this fall, won Saturday with its Maguro Crudo. And Mandola’s Catering took the top prize on Sunday with tortellini served with a perfectly tender Wagyu meatball. Guests also enjoyed wine and fun boozy pop-ups like the Kettle One Bloody Mary station as they enjoyed the first taste of fall in Houston!

The festival raised $15,000, which was divvied up between Urban Harvest and Houston Food Bank, as well as among local farms including Verdegreens Farms, Blackwood Educational Land Institute, Statkar Farms Wagyu, Animal Farm, Rosewood Ranches and Central Texas Lamb.


Chef Hugo Ortega

Chris Wadley, Katherine Whaley, Jennifer LeGrand, Nicole Graf

Chef Aaron Bludorn

Frankie B. Madola's Catering Team - Winner of Best Bite on Sunday

Chef Mayank Istwal

Leonard Botello IV and Brandon Botello

Pelican Builders Welcome Residents To First New Upper Kirby Condo Offering In Years;
Boutique Midrise Adds To Pedestrian Appeal Of Sought-After, Inner Loop Neighborhood

WITH ITS INAUGURAL set of residents newly moved in, Pelican Builders’ mid-rise condominium Westmore at 2323 W Main Street in Upper Kirby is already seeing the blossoming of a tight-knit community. Designed by Houston-based Mirador Group the Westmore is the first new condominium product to be introduced to the in-demand, inner loop neighborhood in more than three years. And with remaining two-bedroom homes starting at $895,000, it’s a remarkable value for this increasingly pricey area, where condos can easily climb to several million dollars and more.

Keep Reading Show less
Home + Real Estate

photo by Chris Nguyen

THE OWNERS BEHIND two of the Heights' most beloved nightlife destinations are teaming up to bring the neighborhood a new hangout.

Keep Reading Show less
Food

AN ICONIC RESTAURANT space on West Gray, once home to La Griglia and a hopping patio scene, will soon be vivacious once again. In March, Goode Company will opens the fourth outpost of its popular Tex-Mex spot Goode Co. Kitchen & Cantina on West Gray at McDuffie.

Keep Reading Show less
Food