Kiss My Grits

Houston's top restaurants wage an all-out grits war as young professionals swoon: Who makes it best?

What: Young Texans Against Cancer Fourth Annual Kiss My Grits

Where: Silver Street Studios

The 411: A well-dressed crowd of young professionals (and the young at heart) turned out last Thursday night to take a stand against cancer while filling their bellies with grits. Chaired by Disney Hanka, Bonnie Inamdar and Sara Litton, the event benefited Candlelighters, the Methodist Cancer Center, The Rose and MD Anderson. In addition to funds raised by tickets, a tempting array of silent auctions helped part the crowd with some of its cash.

Eight of Houston's top restaurants competed for approval from both the attendees and a panel of celebrity judges with variations on dishes that utilized grits, the Southern breakfast staple. New this year, an expanded drinks competition in which bartenders from well-established spots likes Reserve 101 and Hearsay Gastro Lounge competed with newcomers like the newly revamped Zimm's and River Oaks hotspot 1919 Wine & Mixology.

With most of the competitors providing riffs on the classic shrimp and grits, Bernie's Burger Bus flipped the script and won the day with grillades and grits, a New Orleans classic that will hopefully find a spot on the brunch at the burger spot's soon-to-open brick and mortar location. Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette took the people's choice thanks to vanilla grits bread pudding. El Big Bad's cocktail that combined gin, ginger beer and cucumber foam took the top prize from both the judges and the attendees.

Who: Young Texans Against Cancer President Jessi Rayhill, artist William Lloyd, Titanium Tequila owner Robert Tijerina, Lisa Gochman, Ashley Vallone, Mark Zimmerman, Erin Wendt, Anna Garland, Price DuBose, Sam Bowen, Katelyn Richardson, Natalie Scott, Alex Richoux, Jimmy Comerota, Camilla and Nick Cubero, Lindsay Martin, Eleven XI executive chef Kevin Bryant, Marcy de Luna, Lily Jang, Taylor Byrne Dodge, Katherine Whaley, Katy Mayell Ellis and Katharine Shilcutt.

Caroline Conway, left with Lizzy and Ben Conner.

Kiss My Grits Caroline Conway Ben Conner Lizzy Conner

Photo by Eddie Clark

Caroline Conway, left with Lizzy and Ben Conner.

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Vintage Vibes

Wine and resilience shine at Houston nonprofit's glamorous soirée

Photo by Johnny Than

Gaston Elie, Gina Gaston Elie, and Mario Elie.

The Women’s Fund poured on the charm at its 10th Annual Wine Dinner, trading its usual intimate digs for The Astorian’s lofty glamour and a vibe as effervescent as the night’s first pour. Picture white feathers flirting with candlelight, rosé-hued roses blushing in Revere bowls, and a crowd dressed to toast, taste, and turn up for a cause.

Photo by Johnny Than

Gaston Elie, Gina Gaston Elie, and Mario Elie.

Chairs Vanessa and Chuck Ames led the swirl, sip, and support soirée, where guests kicked things off with passed bites and bubbly from Amy and Rob Pierce and Alexandra Bruskoff. Jackson and Co. served up crispy artichokes, mushroom Wellington, tuna carpaccio, and beef tartare, perfectly paired with cava and casual elegance.

The Madam Zero Champagne Wall added sparkle and suspense, doling out deBoulle gift cards and a private champagne tasting. Meanwhile, the silent auction table buzzed with high-stakes bids for year-long date nights, Zadok's bling, a Chopped-worthy in-home dinner by chef Lena Le, and more.

Dinner dazzled across four courses: Steelhead carpaccio with Meyer lemon sabayon and Texas Vermentino; wild mushroom agnolotti matched with a Russian River Pinot; charcoal-grilled filet cozied up to Tuscan red; and a bittersweet chocolate tart so luxe it got its own sponsor, Armine+Ambrose.

Mid-meal pop-up auctions turned tables into tasting salons with caviar and Burgundies flowing like insider gossip. And when it came time to raise paddles, auctioneer Johnny Holloway of Johnny Bravo Productions kept the energy high and the giving higher. Think Majorca vacations (sold twice), Rockets suite nights, Napa getaways, and a cameo on Chris Shepherd's Eat Like a Local that also sold — you guessed it — twice.

The evening honored the inaugural Toast to Resilience Class. Paulina and Jim McGrath earned the Visionary Spirit Award, Gina Gaston Elie was honored with the Resilient Heart Award, and Chris Shepherd and Lindsey Brown received the Champions of Community Award—each recognized for lifting up Houston’s women and girls with compassion, creativity, and serious clout.

By the end of the night, guests had raised an impressive $485,000. That’s more than double last year's total. With more than 250 oenophiles in attendance, the event proved that good wine and a great cause make for one worthy pairing.

Supporters raising their glasses included Anne and John Clutterbuck, Ashley Sere, Meredith and Ben Marshall, Jessica and Brian Leeke, Brian Faulkner, Caroline and Matt Monday, Lisa and Charlie Meachem, Corbin Young, Craig and Kristin Kellogg, Jordan and Dylan Seff, Lisa Meacham, Kelly and Frank Hogan, George Breen, Megan and Jerry Hughes Jr., Jillian and Yuri Waldo, Erin and Kyle Cummings, Nadia Tajalli, Paula Sutton, Rania Mankarious, Laura Ward, Sarah Barrett, Shellie McBeth, Steve Jetton, Steve Mohtashami, Aliza Dutt, Danny Ward and Nancy Ames, James Calaway, Jody Merritt, Kristen Collins, Kristy Bradshaw, Laura Davenport, Mario Elie, Nene Foxhall, Roxann and Tim Neumann, and Nora Jarrard.