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    Mystery Pop-Up Dinner

    For one night only, two of Houston's best chefs join forces for decadent mystery pop-up dinner

    Eric Sandler
    May 24, 2014 | 12:00 pm

    Trust me.

     

    It's the simplest phrase, but trusting someone else can be so hard. Yet, that's what Sam Governale was asking his supporters to do as part of his "SAMpaign" to raise $100,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society during its annual Man of the Year/Woman of the Year fundraising drive.

     

    Governale made a simple pitch. Donate $200. Show up at the newly remodeled Zimm's on Montrose to sample the bar's new cocktail menu and 100+ bottle whiskey selection. Then move on to dinner with a mystery chef or two. Implicit in the invitation was a promise that contributors would get a memorable experience, as befits a man with Governale's reputation as the operating partner of Fleming's in Upper Kirby.

     

     

      The result of all that talent: a decadent, no-holds barred 10-course meal that felt like a game of culinary H.O.R.S.E.  

     
     
    Even though none of the attendees knew what was coming, about 30 people signed up anyway. Little did they know Governale had to modify his plans at the last minute. Originally, the meal was supposed to bring together MF Sushi chef/owner Chris Kinjo with the mystery chef who's about to open a new, American restaurant in the former Thai Sticks space on Montrose. Sadly, the renovations weren't finished on time, and the chef had to withdraw.
     

    Governale turned to Triniti's Ryan Hildebrand, who stepped up and created a menu on the fly to match the sushi master's plans. "Ryan Hildebrand came in at the very last minute and saved the day," Governale tells CultureMap. "(He said) ‘Whatever you need. I want to work with Chris Kinjo. I want to be next to him. I want to showcase what we do.’"

     

    As for Kinjo, Governale has a long-standing relationship with him that goes back to their time together in Atlanta. "Chris is a friend of mine," Governale explains. "Chris is not the sort of guy who’s willing to share the spotlight, (but) he did it for me. He knew that it was a great cause. He’s got a good heart."

     

     Wine offerings

     

    Just to sweeten the pot, Governale tapped Mac Watson, owner of boutique California winery Macauley Vineyard, to pair wines with each course. Offerings ranged from a first taste of the 2012 Chardonnay to the show-stopping 2006 Cabernet poured from magnums. Governale auctioned off a nine-liter bottle at the end of the evening to raise additional funds.

     

    The result of all that talent: a decadent, no-holds-barred 10-course meal that included four dishes served side-by-side. It felt like a game of culinary H.O.R.S.E., where each chef would deliver a plate that the diners would immediately agree was the best thing we'd eaten that night . . . until the next course raised the bar again.

     

    Calling certain courses "highlights" could incorrectly imply that any of them were less than delicious, but a few stood out. On the Triniti side, halibut with foie gras bonbon and "ham and eggs" of smoked duck breast served over potato hash and topped with a quail egg helped end the meal on a high note.

     

     The night's best bites

     

    Still, two Kinjo's dishes emerged as the night's best bites. Simply prepared chu-toro nigiri had an incredible depth of flavor and a texture that felt as though it melted rather than needing to be chewed, but it was just a warm up act for the Japanese Kobe beef nigiri that was seared with a blowtorch just prior to serving and topped with truffled soy sauce.

     

    How did Governale feel about the meal? "Whoever paid $200 tonight got the best deal . . . I think I gave them what they deserved. Value for dollar it was pretty phenomenal," he says.

     

    Governale credits the supporters who believed in him. "They jumped off a cliff for us, and that’s what people do in this city philanthropically. They don’t ask any questions. They don’t have any requirements. They do it because they are giving souls and giving people."

    Mac Watson, left, Chris Kinjo, Sam Governale, Ryan Hildebrand

    LLS Triniti Chris Kinjo MF Sushi Ryan Hildebrand Sam Governale Mac Watson
      
    Photo by Daniel Ortiz Photography
    Mac Watson, left, Chris Kinjo, Sam Governale, Ryan Hildebrand
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    Ode to Heidi

    Versailles-themed luncheon celebrates Houston nonprofit's record season

    Joel Luks
    Jul 4, 2025 | 11:30 am
    Houston Symphony League Versailles luncheon 2025
    Photo by Jacob Powers
    Angelica Ximenes Chapman, Tracy Faulkner, Mahzad Mohajer, Fatimeh Mehdi, and Parissa Mohajer.

    She dreamed aloud of goals so high, With passion shining in her eye.

    Houston Symphony League Versailles luncheon 2025
      

    Photo by Jacob Powers

    Angelica Ximenes Chapman, Tracy Faulkner, Mahzad Mohajer, Fatimeh Mehdi, and Parissa Mohajer.

    So began the tribute to Heidi Rockecharlie, president of the Houston Symphony League, during the annual President’s Luncheon. Held in the shimmering ballroom of Lakeside Country Club, the event — this year themed Bienvenue à Versailles — blended regal French flourishes with a heartfelt spirit, and capped a record-breaking season with flourish and flair.

    League supporters turned out in full fashionable force, with chairs Beth Wolff and Saula Valente orchestrating a picturesque après-midi amid lavender-and-white floral candelabras by Simply Saula. The atmosphere struck a delicate chord: Equal parts elegance and intimacy. Guests laughed, mingled, and clinked glasses, while the hosts alternated verses from a custom-written poem that honored Rockecharlie’s tenure. It was both lighthearted and lyrical, just like its muse.

    She led with heart, with fire, with flair. And left her legacy everywhere.

    The highlight, as always, came with the president’s address, when Rockecharlie shared the year’s financial gift to the Symphony: A donation of more than $193,000 net of expenses.

    That figure is thanks to a series of strategic moves under Rockecharlie’s leadership: A cost-cutting sponsorship program, expansion of the league’s icon event, and a fresh push for membership.

    She said, “Let’s grow, let’s aim anew.” And guess what? That dream came true

    She then passed the baton to incoming president Leslie Nossaman, who previewed her board and vision for the upcoming term. And Donna Mello, 2024's Ellen Kelley Volunteer of the Year, introduced this year's honoree, Susan Osterberg.

    The celebration closed with an avalanche of gratitude and gifts. Rockecharlie received a magnum of Le Chemin du Roi Champagne by 50 Cent, a Hermes Brides de Gala en Fleurs scarf, and a crystal award featuring artwork from the Icon event.

    Among those in the crowd were Farida Abjani, Hallie Vanderhider, Ellie Francisco, Lesha Elsenbrook, Betty Tutor, Alicia Maguire Smith, Heidi Turney, Andrew Cordes, Kathi Rovere, Diane Gendel, Sharon Brier, Jerre Parsons Williams, Diane Roederer, Susan Binney, Kinga Ferguson, Elizabeth Condit, Helen Shaffer, Mary Sage, Anna Dean, Astrid Van Dyke, Cheryl Byington, Kim Padgett, Nick Rockecharlie, Yoon Smith, and Danny Nguyen.

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