Shelbys Social Diary

Houston set to be an iconic global city: World Trade party is a passport to fun— and perhaps greatness

Las Vegas-style showgirls add glam notes to the World Trade Soiree, "Luck BeHouston."
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain

Nothing like waltzing through an international medley of food, open bars and talent to put gala-goers in a jovial frame of mind. Just ask the 600 or so who coursed through the party rooms of Hotel ZaZa Saturday night at the Greater Houston Partnership's annual World Trade Soirée.

With members of the "Rat Pack" as escorts through the "Luck Be Houston" evening, guests carried faux passports to be stamped (really) as they sampled the international fare in party rooms focusing on Africa, South America, Europe (French cheeses galore), Asia/Oceania (divine sushi), the Middle East and Mexico/the Caribbean.

Chase told the early gathering that Houston "is on the cusp of greatness" soon to become "an iconic global city."

The beauty of the evening, as many guests pointed out, was the fact that it was a moving party. No one locked in at a single table all night, no limit to the smorgasbord of food offerings and numerous open bars, meaning no lines for the vino.

Applause, applause for gala chair Becky Thomas and honorary chair Scott McClelland, president of H-E-B, which provided major underwriting for the event. Leisa Holland-Nelson chaired the host committee and was front and center at the VIP reception that kicked off the evening in the hotel's swank Grapevine Suite.

GHP president Tony Chase welcomed guests to the event that celebrated not only Houston's consular corps but also the 85th anniversary of the World Trade Association. As he applauded the city's expanding international trade, Chase told the early gathering that Houston "is on the cusp of greatness" soon to become "an iconic global city."

And that was the end of business for the night as the music and casino games and entertainment cranked up in the hotel ballroom, the food stations opened and the party began in earnest. When not grazing, guests had what seemed like hundreds of silent auction items on which to bid. This party offered non-stop diversions.

Mingling in the international mix that included some 50 members of the consular corps were Mayor Annise Parker (who made a later appearance), David McClanahan, honorary Thailand consul general Charles Foster and wife Lily, Netherlands Consul Geert Visser, Channel 11 KHOU general manager Susan McEldoon, Dina Alsowayel, Sylvia and Gordon Quan, Karen and Roland Garcia, Connie and Bandula Wijay, Deborah Duncan, Gail Brown, Susan Bischoff and Jim Barlow and Linda Toyota.

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5-Course Feast

Houston Food Bank chefs' dinner serves up generosity and gourmet flair

Photo by Emily Jaschke

William Crutcher, Benchawan "Chef G" Jabthong Painter, David Skinner, Ope Amosu, and Alejandra Salas.

Houston’s culinary crowd traded kitchen heat for philanthropic firepower on May 5 as the Houston Food Bank hosted its 26th Annual Chefs’ Dinner at Hotel ZaZa Museum District.

The evening of haute cuisine and thoughtful giving served up more than a five-course feast. The gourmand affair delivered a major boost for food-insecure families across southeast Texas.

Event chairs Farah Ahmed and Tahir Qadir rallied an energetic room of foodies, philanthropists, and civic leaders, capping the evening with remarks that inspired a flurry of last-minute generosity. A surprise anonymous matching gift of up to $25,000 sent donations soaring, with more than $61,000 raised during the dinner alone.

The menu read like a Houston restaurant hit list. Guests dined on creations from Benchawan “Chef G” Jabthong Painter of Street to Kitchen, Ope Amosu of ChopnBlok, David Skinner of Eculent & Ishtia, William Crutcher of Monarch at Hotel ZaZa, and pastry chef Alejandra SalasAl.

Meanwhile, Doe and Henry Florsheim accepted the 2026 Barbara Falik Humanitarian Award for their longstanding commitment to food security efforts. Brian Greene, president and CEO of Houston Food Bank, also shared details about the organization’s upcoming groundbreaking for its newest building while outlining the food bank’s long-term vision and continued work serving the community.

The event raised $633,640, enough to provide more than 1.9 million meals to the community.

Not bad for a Tuesday night.

Seen on the scene were Teresa and Jose Ivo, Monique Abernathy, Gordon Murray, Michele and Jeff Dodson, Cathy Easter, Sarah and Ken Fisher, Joan Hessidence and Rick Wall, Colleen and Michael Keegan, and Drs. Ruth Lopez and Steve Turley.

Photo by Emily Jaschke

William Crutcher, Benchawan "Chef G" Jabthong Painter, David Skinner, Ope Amosu, and Alejandra Salas.

chefs fundraisers houston food bank