food

Chef-Prodigy’s Culinary Consultancy Is Already Cooking Up Delicious New Ideas

Kirsten Gilliam
Chef-Prodigy’s Culinary Consultancy Is Already Cooking Up Delicious New Ideas

ON THE HEELS of helping to open Downtown's The Nash restaurant, in the base of the historic Star (formerly Texaco) Building, young chef Omar Pereney has announced his new consultancy firm, Culinary Matters.

The business will assist food entrepreneurs in all aspects of opening a restaurant, from developing a menu to branding, food styling and interior design. He's enlisted the help of 10 team members who will together "provide a holistic approach" to startups (or establishments looking for a refresh!).

Omar Pereney

Houstonians may be familiar with Pereney from his stint with then-celebrated seafood standout Peska at BLVD Place. At the time, the Venezuela-born chef had just turned 21 — barely old enough to fully partake in his restaurant's offerings — but he'd already spent nearly a decade in kitchens, and hosted several seasons of food-television shows in Latin America.

Now, Pereney brings his worldly approach to what he deems to be a "progressive" agency. "We want clients to enjoy the process," he explains. "They need to be up to their elbows in food, cocktails, tasting wines and playing along with us as we create a solid plan, brand and concept." He describes what Culinary Matters offers as a safe environment for experimenting.

His colleagues include culinary specialist Chris Cai; beverage specialist Deidre Goodhue; wine specialist Jaime de Leon; pastry chef Jio Dingayan; creative director Kim Lewis Design; photographer Kirsten Gilliam; recruiter Niki Vu; and strategist McKenzie Loock. He's also enlisted the help of his father, Omar Pereney, Sr., as IT director.

Food
promoted

Fall Philanthropy Report: Children’s Assessment Center Touts ‘Healing’ for Child Abuse Victims

Fall Philanthropy Report: Children’s Assessment Center Touts ‘Healing’ for Child Abuse Victims

What is your mission? The Children’s Assessment Center (The CAC) provides healing services to over 6,300 child sexual abuse victims and their families each year. We offer forensic interviewing, family advocacy, mental health services, medical care, and court services at no cost. We facilitate community outreach and prevention training to raise awareness about child abuse in our community and how to keep children safe. Last year, we provided prevention training to over 35,000 community members, including 23,500 children in schools.

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parties

At Posh Tony’s Fete, Baly’s New Doctorate and Life of Service Honored

Alejandro Olivares

Gayla Gardner, Jacquie Baly and Julie Baker Finck

THE DOCTOR IS in! One of Houston’s most engaged civic leaders, Jacquie Baly, has a new title after earning her Doctorate in Education and Organizational Change & Leadership from USC. And some of the city’s heavy hitters turned up for a swanky reception at Tony’s to congratulate her. “Education and community leadership go hand in hand,” said Dr. Baly. “This honor fuels my continued mission to create meaningful change.”

And they weren’t alone in their admiration. Both the City of Houston and the State of Texas declared the day of the to-do “Dr. Jacquie Baly Day,” complete with official proclamations.

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Style+Culture

Spring into the Season with These Fun Events (That Don't Involve Rodeo Crowds)

Houston Arboretum

WE ALL LOVE a Rodeo, but sometimes we need options for events that have a different energy, speed — and crowd size. Check out some artsy, unique happenings around Houston in March!

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