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.
