Where: Audi Central Houston
The scoop: A crowd of 400 people filled the showroom floor of Audi Central Houston to feast on bites by 20 Houston-area restaurants for the benefit of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Applause, applause to co-chairs Divya and Chris Brown, Stacy and John Andell, Leigh McBurnett and Matt Harris for raising a record-breaking $170,000 for the organization that provides one-to-one mentors for children facing adversity.
After chowing down on dishes prepared by some of Houston's top restaurants, including Kuu, The Pit Room, Riel, Uchi, and State of Grace, a panel of celebrity judges — including local hip-hop stars Bun B, DJ Mr. Rogers, and Trae tha Truth; former Houston Texan Chester Pitts; Daniela Velasco, and and internationally-renown food writer and photographer Adam Goldberg — awarded the top prize to The Capital Grille for its dry-aged beef over mushroom risotto; Capital Grille also earned the People's Choice award, while River Oaks District restaurant Le Colonial took the prize for Best Beverage. Goldberg, the author of the ultra-popular A Life Worth Eating blog and Instagram, traveled to Houston from his home in New York to participate in the event for the sixth year in a row.
KPRC anchor Rachel McNeill served as event host and presided over the awards ceremony. She also congratulated BBBS CEO Pierce Bush on his recent wedding to his wife Sarahbeth. As a result of the funds raised, BBBS will be able to find mentors for many of the 900 children on its waiting list.
Who: Andy Cerota, Courtney Zevala, Eric Andell, Ryan O. Harris, Laura and Steve Jones, Dominique McGhee, Linsay and Jeremy Radcliffe, Dr. Wayne Franklin, Patti Lennon-Potter, Nadhisha and Dilanka Seimon, Valerie and Tracy Dieterich, Kimberly and Bradley Dennison, David Anderson, Crystal and Dr. Randall Wright, Nick Scurfield, and Grace Gibson.
Orlando Romero and KPRC's Courtney Zavala.
