Photos by Steven Visneau
Styling by René Garza
Models Grayson Auld and Mila Connally for Page Parkes Agency, Bay Berger for Neal Hamil Agency, and Brandon Connor
Makeup by Wendy Martin for Page Parkes Agency
Styling Assistance by Molly Jodeit
Hair by Zackery Chapa for Hue Salon
Shot on location at the Memorial home of Michael and Lisa Holthouse
Jim Crane and Lynn Wyatt at CityBook's 'Leaders & Legends' party
Many other honorees, all of whom were featured in the magazine’s mid-spring issue, were also on hand, including Astros owner Jim Crane, society doyenne Hallie Vanderhider, fundraising legend Carolyn Farb, popular locavore restaurateurs Benjy Levit and Aaron Lyons, noted gallerist Mimi Sperber-Wasserberg of Off the Wall and Marilyn Oshman, founder of the Orange Show organization and the Art Car Parade.
China and Roberto Contreras IV
Lisa Holthouse and Ray Childress
Page Parkes
Connor Walsh and Chae Eun Yang
Vanessa Barrow
Hallie Vanderhider, Fady Armanious and Ally Shell
Lucinda Loya and Felicia Stone
Randy Hale, Michael Holthouse, Kim and Dan Moody
Aaron and Stefanie Lyons
Amanda Mills and Mark Sullivan
Josh and Trisha Weisman
Carolyn Farb and Danny Nguyen
Katelyn Leonard and Jack Vielhauer
Demola the Violinist and Bianca Bucaram
Leslie Siller and Cheryl Byington
Roberto Contreras
Mario Gudmundsson and Marcelo Saenz
Hamilton Rowan and Mimi Sperber-Wasserberg
Karen deGeurin and Peter Remington
Bentleys on display
Kathy Flanagan and Lloyd Gite
Leisa Holland Nelson and Marilyn Oshman
Franklin and Cindi Rose
Chris Hendel and Beth Wolff
Lisa Gochman, Chloe Dao and Lindsey Word
Todd Ramos
Leaders & Legends is an annual portrait series that seeks to honor both icons of the city, responsible for its growth and prominence, as well as Houston’s current leaders, charting the path forward.
Guests enjoyed fun, fabulous treats from Monarch Hospitality including lobster “corn dogs,” timber-smoked Wagyu carpaccio under glass, caviar “twinkies,” foie gras and cognac mousse served in little ice cream cones and adult Cosmopolitan popsicles. DJ TK kept the scene lively.
Father-and-son UH basketball coaches Kelvin and Kellen Sampson were also among the community luminaries featured in the 2022 “Leaders & Legends” collection.
Cool cocktails at a past Taste America event
Bludorn chef-owner Aaron Bludorn and Burger Bodega’s Abbas Dhanani are teaming up this Saturday (noon-3PM) in the backyard at Bludorn. Anticipate hot-off-the-grill smash burgers – a double patty with grilled onions, pickles and bodega sauce on a Martin’s potato bun – as well as sweet treats, ice cream and cool drinks at the bar.
Photo by Marc Florito of Gamma Nine Photography
The kickoff of the James Beard Foundation’s Taste Americaculinary series starring many Houston chefs takes place next week. The June 29 soiree at Silver Street Studios is the first of 20 events in this year’s series celebrating the chefs and local independent restaurants across America. Taste Houston will highlight the richness of Houston’s food culture, while spotlighting national chefs who are aligned with the Foundation’s mission.
Here’s a tease of the tasting menu from just a few of our Houston chefs: Top Chef finalist Evelyn Garcia and her biz partner Henry Lu will prepare ceviche with lemongrass leche de tigre, chili oil and sesame crisp, while Michelle Wallace of Gatlin’s is serving hickory-smoked catfish with deconstructed dirty rice. And Dawn Burrell of the forthcoming Late August will present cured salmon with tamarind “Tiger fry,” cucumber and crunchy salmon skin.
Expect an immersive experience with interactive stations, an installation from Houston’s innovative media lab Input Output, and music from DJ Seek. A portion of proceeds from each event will go directly to the participating chefs’ restaurants, with the remaining proceeds benefiting the James Beard Foundation’s national programming, including the Open for Good campaign. Purchase tickets (starting at $175) here before it’s too late!
Salvatore Ferragamo
Ferragamo is headed to Houston! The Italian design house is collaborating with Doris Metropolitan for an exclusive night with the Ferragamo family winery, IL BORRO, for the Ferragamo Wine Dinner ($325). The dashing Salvatore Ferragamo, grandson of the company’s founder, will be mingling with guests and signing bottles of IL BORRO. For reservations call 713.485.0466.
Photo by Daniel Müller Freunde von Freunden
Catch this! Golfstrømmen’s Executive Chef Christopher Haatfut will be flying in from Norway and bringing his acclaimed seafood concept Lysverket along with him for a one-week gastronomic takeover. The pop-up will include nightly dinners at Golfstrømmen alongside brunch offerings that will bookend the week of evening festivities. The dining sessions ($75-$175, 24 seats available) feature special collaborations, including a vegetable-centric dinner with Urban Harvest on June 28. See the menu breakdown and reservation info here.
The heat is on at Fleming’s with the new Earth, Wine & Fire three-course wine dinner experience. Guests can choose between two three-course menus: a plant-forward Earth Menu and a signature steak Fire Menu. Each menu is paired with three wines from the Wagner Family portfolio featuring Caymus Vineyards.
