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    For Omega House

    Better than Animal House: Young professionals show plenty of skin in hot togaparty

    Joel Luks
    Jul 15, 2012 | 4:46 pm

    The notorious scene from Animal House may have inspired many frats to throw similar costumed symposia, in the ancient sense of the word. But that roll-out-of-bed-wearing-the-bed look just wouldn't do for the citizens carousing Greco Roman-style at Bering Omega Community Services' young professionals board Toga Party Saturday night at Craft Salon.

    Rather, these 130 Caesars and Aphrodites wrapped their physique with more than a tunic and adorned themselves with gold armbands, cuffs, gladiator skirts, laurel wreaths, hats and Roman sandals — though without covering too much. After all, what's a toga social without showing some skin?

    Chairs Nick Espinosa, Liz Gorman, Paul Pettie and Jerry Guerrero stripped down to the bare necessities to collect donations of unused sheets for Omega House.

    Efforts not to stare at Jeremy Fain's silver sequined cloak, matching high heels and medusa wig were futile. As the femme fatale he was worthy of the top prize for best costume, for which he took home a basket of many bottles of serious booze. Not far behind were Rebecca Bertrand in a Texas-themed toga and Kevin Messenger in iron man duds.

    Chairs Nick Espinosa, Liz Gorman, Paul Pettie and Jerry Guerrero stripped down to the bare necessities to collect donations of unused sheets for Omega House, the organization's hospice serving those with late stage HIV/AIDS.

    Bacchus would have been proud.

    Adding to the chatty bacchanal were club and Top 40 tunes by DJ Soultower606, sliders grilled onsite by The Counter and a wealth of liquids by Saint Arnold Brewing Company, Dripping Springs Texas Vodka and Barefoot Wine.

    Coming, seeing and conquering in full regalia were Mark Donaldson, Matthew Barré, Lauren Levicki, Kari Govin, Tim Sullivan, Aimee Mudd, Mandie Sanchez, Sal Migliara, Sara Brown, Stephen Jones, Maneesh Singal, Jeremy LeBlanc, Brad Deaton, Carlos Meltzer, Sean Williams, Steven Carlton, Matt Neufeld, Kod Odimgbe, Katherine Ross, Cara Crafton, Owen McCormack, Susan Oehl and Jeff Gremillion.

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    news/society

    Michelin Stars

    Superstar Spanish chefs return to Houston for dinners with a purpose

    Joel Luks
    Dec 19, 2025 | 10:30 am
    Hope and Opportunity Dinner Texas Children's Hospital
    Courtesy of Texas Children’s Hospital
    Jordi Roca, Ignacio Torras, and Joan Roca.

    Leave it to Houston to blend avant-garde gastronomy with generosity, stirring up a one-two punch of flavor and philanthropy.

    Over two intimate evenings, Isabel and Ignacio “Nacho” Torras opened their private home for the Hope and Opportunity Dinners,an affair that embraced the neurodiverse community with epicurean delight.

    The dinners, limited to 100 guests per night, were a collaborative recipe honoring the missions of Texas Children’s Duncan Neurological Research Institute and The Genuine Cup, the nonprofit arm of The Genuine Foundation. With a thematic throughline of “Hope” and “Opportunity,” guests were treated to a nine-course menu..

    The culinary talent? Flying in from their famed El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Spain, Michelin-starred brothers Joan Roca (head chef) and Jordi Roca (pastry chef), along with sommelier Marta Cortizas, teamed up with chef Luis Roger of Houston’s Michelin-starred BCN Taste & Tradition. The menu, a poetic composition of bold Spanish flavors and delicate textures, was elevated further by thoughtful wine pairings.

    Far from a solo act, the Roca brothers worked in sync with some of Houston’s culinary luminaries: Felipe Riccio (March), Mayank Istwal (Mussafer), David Skinner (Eculent), Felipe Botero (Le Jardinier), Mary Cuclis (Kriti Kitchen), and Emmanuel Chavez (Tatemó). Service each evening was led by 27 young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, supported by 10 coaches.

    One dinner honored Whitney and Jim Crane, whose Astros Foundation has become a pillar of Houston philanthropy, and Dr. Huda Y. Zoghbi, whose groundbreaking neuroscience work continues to shape the future of medicine. The second dinner spotlight fell on Laura Arnold, co-founder of Arnold Ventures LLC, and Dr. Debra F. Sukin, president and CEO of Texas Children’s Hospital, both champions for equity and innovation in their fields.

    The evenings ended with cookbook signings by the Roca brothers, a fitting souvenir from two nights where food was both an experience and a vehicle for change. The events raised more than $400,000.

    Showing up for science and inclusion were Monica and Yordon Alvarez, Cathy and Joe Cleary, Carlos Correa, Molly and Crownover, Paula and Reginald DesRoches, Pam and Keith Fullenweider, Adrienne and Jared Crane, Cynthia and Tony Petrello, Phoebe Tudor and Tudor, Hugo Ortega and Tracy Vaught, and Penny and Paul Layne.

    Hope and Opportunity Dinner Texas Children's Hospital

    Courtesy of Texas Children’s Hospital

    Jordi Roca, Ignacio Torras, and Joan Roca.

    fundraisershospitalstexas children's hospital
    news/society
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