Oh. Dear. Lord. How do you strategize when you’re faced with station after station after station of Houston’s creme de la creme toques handing you more than an amuse-bouche portion of the finest samples from their respective kitchens?
Eating pants and roomy dresses were the fashion answer because anything form-fitting would not fare well in the social photos that would ensue from the evening that benefited No Kid Hungry.
The Corinthian was transformed into a foodie Valhalla for "Houston Taste of the Nation" as more than 40 chefs and mixologists dished memorable concoctions such as Louie Mueller BBQ's Texas beef short rib slow cooked for 12 hours, Underbelly's spicy Korean braised goat and dumplings and Coltivare's picked butternut squash salad with smoked gouda — plus too many other excellent choices to list.
We can thank the event’s culinary council — Chris Shepherd, Randy Evans, Daniel Vaughn and Alba Huerta — for the expert curation of cuisine and craft cocktails enjoyed by the more than 650 guests.
About those libations, Huerta offered a spicy bourbon number that contrasted Treadsack's Leslie Ross’ refreshing fizzy party-in-your-mouth complete with a darling flower. Weights and Measures' Mike Sammons' sweet gin punch was a lovely complement to The Pass and Provisions' prosciutto inspired potion.
Desserts from Cacao and Cardamom, Cloud 10 Creamery, Michael's Cookie Jar and Fluff Bake Bar meant everyone had a sweet and happy ending including the nonprofit, which raised $100,000 to fight child hunger in Texas.
Alongside host committee members Lindsey Brown, Korin and Derrick Burnett, J.W. Daubert and Mary Raia, Marta and Bill Marko, William and Kathleen Mercer and Denmon Sigler were Kenneth Freeman, Anna Wilkens, Caitlin Vann, Chuck Scofield, Erin Campbell, Kristin Reynolds and Anne Liddle.
Victoria Dearmond, chef Lyle Bento.
