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    The Perfect Ladies Lunch

    The perfect ladies lunch: Award-winning chef and glittery jewels add delicious touch

    Shelby Hodge
    Oct 16, 2015 | 11:28 am

    With chef Robert Del Grande in the kitchen whipping up one of the tastiest charity luncheons on record and Italian jewelry designer Ippolita displaying her mouthwatering wares in the foyer of RDG + Bar Annie, Dec My Room's annual fall luncheon was particularly delicious.

    The sellout crowd of more than 200 practically drooled over the glittering cache of Ippolita, from the $18,000 gold necklaces to the $1,000 mother of pearl drop earrings, rings for less and plenty of bracelets and adornments priced in between.

    For the record, Del Grande served crab tostada and chilled corn soup for starters, roasted chicken vegetable salad with either sun-dried tomato pesto or buttermilk dressing and a lush plate of fresh berries topped with creme fraiche for dessert.

    Three cheers for Dec My Room founder Susan Plank and luncheon chairs, Ellie Francisco and Leisa Holland-Nelson, for orchestrating a charity luncheon long on fun, no preaching to the choir. Applause, applause to Neiman Marcus and GM Bob Devlin for bringing in Ippolita and her terrific jewels.

    In the very, very short program, Ippolita applauded the charitable efforts of those in the room saying, "Recently, I have been involved in some charity work in New York and I know it's one minute of glamour," she said gesturing around the restaurant, "and lots of hard work in the trenches to make it happen."

    Among those helping make it all happen were Marita Fairbanks, Ursaline Hamilton, Elizabeth Stein, Lesha Elsenbrook, Hannah McNair, Joanna Marks, Chree Boydstun, Alice Mosing, Melissa Mithoff and Christie Sullivan.

    Joanna Marks, Robert Del Grande, Ellie Francisco.

    News, Shelby, Dec My Room luncheon, Oct. 2015 Joanna Marks, Robert Del Grande, Ellie Francisco
      
    Photo by Priscilla Dickson
    Joanna Marks, Robert Del Grande, Ellie Francisco.
    luncheonschefsfundraisersjewelry
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    Hunger Ends Here

    Culinary stars shine at Houston Food Bank's 25th annual chefs’ dinner

    Joel Luks
    May 15, 2025 | 5:15 pm
    Houston Food Bank Chefs' Dinner 2025
    Photo by Emily Jaschke
    Hugo Ortega, Marcos Juarez, Brandon Wilhelm, Marie Riddle, Evelyn Garcia, and Aaron Bludorn.

    In a city that knows good food and good hearts, the Houston Food Bank’s 25th Annual Chefs’ Dinner proved that the two pair perfectly. Held on May 6 at the Hotel ZaZa in the Museum District, this year’s silver-anniversary soirée brought together a stylish crowd of philanthropists, food lovers, and culinary icons for an unforgettable night of fine dining.

    The annual benefit raised $520,000, enough to provide 1.56 million meals to individuals and families across the food bank’s 8-county service area.

    That’s not just dinner — it’s a lifeline.

    Guests indulged in a five-course wine dinner crafted by a dream team of Houston chefs. Hugo Ortega of H Town Restaurant Group brought his James Beard-winning magic to the mix, joined by Marcos Juarez of Hidden Omakase and Austin Simmons, Brandon Wilhelm of Hotel ZaZa, Evelyn Garcia of Jūn and Kin HTX, and a tag-team effort from Marie Riddle and Aaron Bludorn of Bludorn. With talent like that in the kitchen, attendees knew they were in for a culinary experience.

    In addition to the gastronomic glam, the night served up heartfelt honors.

    The Keegan Family received the Barbara Falik Humanitarian Award, a touching tribute to their longtime commitment to hunger relief—an effort deeply inspired by the late Mary Barden Keegan, whose legacy continues to nourish the mission of the Houston Food Bank. The event also paid tribute to Jim Mills, co-founder of the chefs’ dinner, recognizing his vision and dedication in helping this now-beloved event reach its 25-year milestone.

    Barbara and Steve Retzloff served as event chairs with support of a host committee composed of Jennifer and Tadd Tellepsen, Marci Rosenberg and Ben Samuels, Melissa and Bob Duran, Teresa and Jose Ivo, Jeff and Michelle Dodson, Holly and Jim Baker, Lee and Virginia Lahourcade, and Doe and Henry Florsheim. Among those in the crowd were Colleen and Michael B. Keegan, and Councilmember Twila Carter.

    Houston Food Bank Chefs' Dinner 2025
      

    Photo by Emily Jaschke

    Hugo Ortega, Marcos Juarez, Brandon Wilhelm, Marie Riddle, Evelyn Garcia, and Aaron Bludorn.

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