Celebrated Latin American Chefs Wow with ‘Dia’ Wine Dinner

Mario Santos
Celebrated Latin American Chefs Wow with ‘Dia’ Wine Dinner

Mason Brauchle and Christine Turner

A TRIO OF top Latin American chefs whipped up a four-course dinner in celebration of Dia de los Muertos at the second annual Black Dinner. The menu was crafted by Houston chefs Arnaldo Richards of Picos and Omar Pereney who were joined by special guest Atzin Santos from Mexico City.


Under a large tent at City Place Plaza in Spring, 60 guests were greeted by a large traditional Dia de los Muertos alter and margaritas from Picos. And, for full Dia decadence, guests were given flower crowns and the opportunity to have their face painted before dinner.

Farmhouse-style tables were decorated by Picnics in the City with large colorful bouquets and black accents. The first three courses, each served with a thoughtfully paired glass of wine, all featured dramatic black foods: black agua chile, huitlacoche — a fungus that grows on corn that was first used in cooking by the Aztecs in the 14th century — and mole. The finale was goat-cheese cheesecake served with a decorative macaron painted to look like a skull.

After dinner, guests enjoyed sipping tequila while dancing to the music of the Latin jazz band Pachangara.

Julia Pardue and Clara Reily

Allison and Travis Reinke

Amanda and Mingo Marquez

Cristina Morales Varga

Cristina Morales Varga

Denise Zimmermann, Nicole Curry-Clark and Jason Clark

Gabi and Steve De La Rosa

Giselle Colón

Juraxi Pastrano, Cristina Morales Varga and Gabriella Sardinas

Pepe Celis and Martha Such

Parties
‘Embrace Changes,’ Says Valobra, Whose Namesake Jewelry Store Has Become a Houston Institution
How did you get to where you are today? I had little choice in the matter; I grew up being trained to become the fourth-generation jewelry designer behind my great grandfather, grandfather, and father. It was my duty to carry on the family business and continue the hard work and success they built from nothing, beginning in Torino, Italy in 1905. I was surrounded by jewelry and its craftmanship as a young child and was taught the business from a very young age.
Keep Reading Show less

UPON ARRIVAL AT Maroma resort on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, a beautifully dressed attendant, briefcase and tablet in hand, ushers guests to their respective rooms. “Here’s your welcome amenity,” she says, gesturing to ceramic vessels on the coffee table with one hand as she completes the check-in process with the other. “It is tequila.”

Keep Reading Show less
People + Places

THE CORINTHIAN WAS the scene for a haunted happening benefiting Children’s Museum Houston. The decidedly adult bash was filled with dark allure, gothic glamour, and generosity to the tune of $1.14 million, the second-highest total in the event’s history.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties