Truffles, Risotto and Wine — Oh My! Foodie Festival Savors Its 15th Year

Truffles, Risotto and Wine — Oh My! Foodie Festival Savors Its 15th Year

Tim and Kristen Delgado, Selena Mackay and Charles Martens

A BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY contributed to the 15th annual International Risotto Festival's astounding turnout.


More than 725 Houstonians hit up the Houston Design Center for a full afternoon of food and fun. Chef stations featured tastings of antipasti and fine wines — and, of course, risotto: Eight chefs competed for the ultimate title of Best Risotto Dish, and the honors went to Maurizio Ferrarese for the third time. The Alba Ristorante chef's creamy saffron risotto with black truffles and short rib certainly earned the top prize, while Concura's Angela Cuppone garnered second place for his pumpkin risotto.

The rest of the afternoon also adopted an Italian theme. The Design Center's grounds featured both Italian music and exotic cars, and the hundreds of guests — including Federico Ciattaglia, the Consul General of Italy — spent hours strolling, sipping and savoring.

The afternoon grossed more than $135,000, and net proceeds will go to Second Servings of Houston, a "food-rescue" org whose mission is to minimize food waste and fight hunger.

Kristine Cruz and Magdalina Spangelo

Camille Buffalo and Jessie Joseph

Joey and Elizabeth Borski

James Madget, Martha Adger, Marilyn and Michael Smith

Carlos and Karina Barbieri

Chef Maurizio Ferrarese of Alba Ristorante at The Hotel Granduca

Annaliese Settles and Ariana Fathivand

Faith Pate and Uriel Quintanilla

David and Jodie Stocker

Daniele Pinto, Gina Musachia and Stephanie Perkins

Consul General of Italy Federico Ciattaglia, Sheri Roane, Barbara Bronstein and Rose-Ann Aargon

Chris and Ashton Joseph

Food

Becca Cason Thrash and Kenn McLaughlin

THE STAGE'S THEATER company’s annual Gala at the Gordy was more elaborate than ever, and memorable in many ways — not the least of which was the emotional sendoff to Artistic Director Kenn McLaughlin, who’s retiring this summer and moving to Ireland.

Keep Reading Show less

Stacy and Jason Johnson

COMBINE AN INTERESTING location, pretty people, fab food and Ben Berg's prowess — and a bit of actual fire — and you have the grand opening bash for Houston's hottest new restaurant.

Keep Reading Show less
Food