Donna Lewis, Allison Lewis Cattan, Christy Lynn, Emily Lewis
The stylish crowd loved the lunch’s fashion element. “Guests were greeted with models wearing the special Tickled Pink collection, carried exclusively at Tootsies, designed by luncheon special guest speaker and designer, Christy Lynn for the Christy Lynn Collection,” explained a rep for event organizers.
An insta-ready floral wall was also a hit with the social-media-savvy crowd.
As part of the program, Lynn was also interviewed by TV personality Len Cannon. The newsman and the entire room were moved to tears and the designer told of her mom’s painful breast cancer journey. It was noted at that nearly everyone in the room had either had breast cancer or been close to someone who has.
Breast cancer survivor Donna Lewis was among the chairs of the event, along with Allison Lewis Cattan and Emily Lewis. Survivor Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman and Millette Sherman were honorary chairs.
“American Cancer Society has funded every major breakthrough in breast cancer research,” said the rep. “This has led to a 43 percent decline in the female breast cancer death rate. Currently, the American Cancer Society is investing $78 million in breast cancer-specific research,” with some $3 million earmarked for Houston projects.
Guest for the luncheon included, Cyndy Garza Roberts, DeeDee Marsh, Fady Armanious, Jana Arnoldy, Lesha Elsenbrook, Hallie Vanderhider, Yvonne Cormier, Marian Harper, Peggy Kostial, Brigitte Kalai, Sippi Khurana , Debbie Festari, Jacquie Baly, Lara Bell and Norman Lewis.
Beth and Cynthia Wolff
Beth Muecke and Gina Gaston
Denise Monteleone and Jim Martin
Hallie Vanderhider and Fady Armanious
Kendall Fisher and Rosanne Oelfke
Lesha Elsenbrook, Shelley Boyer, Christy Lynn, Ellie Francisco
Lia, Donna, Carrie, Lauri Vallone
Models with Christy Lynn
Nora Jarrard, Erica Noyes, Jenn Howe
Sidney Faust, Leisa Holland Nelson Bowman, Cora Sue Mach, Elsie Eckert
Sippi Khurana and Jenny Todd
Yvonne Cormier and Phyllis Williams
Chef Chris Shepherd and the Ballet's Syvert Garcia
Four of the city's most beloved chefs were paired up with Ballet dancers to create and execute dishes inspired by their backgrounds and stories. The night began with a tasty artichoke-and-asparagus salad from Hugo Ortega and his "sous chef," dancer Rafaela Henrique. Chris Shepherd and demi soloist Syvert Garcia followed up with Alaskan king salmon sinigang, and the main course — veal tenderloin with English peas, morel mushrooms and veal jus — was created by Aaron Bludorn and principal dancer Beckanne Sisk.
Pastry chef Rebecca Masson and first soloist Chandler Dalton created a S'mores Tart with graham cracker ice cream for dessert — and Masson's Fluff Bake Bar also provided sweet treats to-go in the form of a chocolate-chip-cookie party favor.
The night brought in nearly $100,000, which will go toward the Houston Ballet's educational programming, among other causes.
Akemi Saitoh, Reiko Smith, Simone Acri
Tom and Martha Paterson
Inside Bludorn
Tammy and Wayne Nguyen
Chef Hugo Ortega and dancer Rafaela Henrique
Tami Hiraoka, Lou Borrego
Ortega and Henrique's artichoke and asparagus salad
Chef Aaron Bludorn and dancer Beckanne Sisk
Chef Rebecca Masson and dancer Chandler Dalton
Ross and Caroline Smith
Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell, Heidi Smith
Christine Underwood and Phyllis Mandola
Marc and Duyen Nguyen
Hallie Vanderhider, Bobby Dees
Kristy Bradshaw and Lindsey Brown
Jay Jones and Terry Wayne Jones
Jessica Trincanello, Brett Stephenson
Joe and Jeni Matula
