Symphony's Sold-Out Wine Dinner Serves Up a Foodie Feast, Draws Nearly $1M for Community Programs

Priscilla Dickson
Symphony's Sold-Out Wine Dinner Serves Up a Foodie Feast, Draws Nearly $1M for Community Programs

Chairs Elia and Michael Gabbanelli

ANOTHER YEAR, ANOTHER sold-out Wine Dinner and Collector's Auction for the Houston Symphony. This year's event was chaired by Elia and Michael Gabbanelli, and raised more than $900,000 for the Symphony's education and community programs.


An impressive 365 guests, Champagne in hand, perused the silent auction during the cocktail hour. Buzzed-about packages included a seven-night Tuscan adventure, six bottles of vintage Red Bourdeaux, and more. Once the dinner chimes rang, everyone made their way to the Jones Hall stage, which was outfitted with intricate candelabras and richly colorful blooms courtesy of The Events Company, a nod to the evening's tehem, A Bacchanal Feast.

This year's "feast" was prepared by beloved chef Danny Trace of Potente and featured wine pairings expertly chosen by John and Lindy Rydman and Lisa Rydman Lindsey of Spec's. The five-course menu was a special treat for attendees. Trace's entree, a perigeux veal with goat-cheese polenta, was truly mouthwatering. And his dessert — a decadent double chocolate cake topped with caramel crunch pearls and Chambord — ensured the evening ended on a high note!

Carey Kirkpatrick, Ken and Mady Kades

Aerin and Quentin Smith

Ann and Jonathan Ayre

Sippi and Ajay Khurana

Betty and Jesse Tutor

Robert and Joan Duff

Bob Weiner and Collector's Auction Chair Jack Matzer

Ralph Burch, Vicki West and Robert Sakowitz

Margaret Alkek Williams, Gary Ginstling

Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees

Lindy and John Rydman

Art + Entertainment
Elevate Dining in and out this Summer with Steam Cooking

MAKE THE MOST of every delicious bite this summer with the benefits of steam cooking. Whether you’re reviving leftovers from Houston’s hottest foodie hangout or hosting memorable gatherings at home, integrating steam into your cooking repertoire can take your food to the next level.

Keep Reading Show less

Brigitte Kalai, Alicia Smith and Deborah Duncan

A WHOPPING 2,100 people showed up to toast the 25th annivesrary of the Trailblazers Awards Luncheon and Fashion Show, one of the Houston Livestock and Rodeo's most successful events.

Keep Reading Show less
Style

Lisa Rich, Jessica Givens, Coco Lu

BETWEEN AN EXCITING raffle and runway show, Homemade Hope's fash bash at Tootsies was a truly tasteful success! More than 160 well heeled attendees also enjoyed browsing the season's most stylish offerings and chatting with Homemade Hope's executive director, Blair Bentley Ozenbaugh, about its mission to support at-risk children via mentoring and culinary lessons.

Keep Reading Show less
Style