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.
Miss Houston Latina Brianda Carrasco selected the winning raffle ticket.
