party watch

Fab fantasy football draft scores major points for Houston kids

Fantasy football enthusiasts recently packed NRG Stadium for the Today’s Harbor for Children, formerly Boys & Girls Harbor, sixth annual “Fantasy Football Draft Night.” Participants donned casual football-themed attire and were greeted by Texans cheerleaders as they made their way to the stadium’s Club Level.

Celebrity coaches including Dan Pastorini, Vince Rachal, Ed Biles, and Charlie Frazier mingled with the guests and gave them tips on player picks. KPRC sports director and anchor, Randy McIlvoy, emceed the evening’s draft activities. With close to 400 attendees and the evenings proceeds of $400,000, it was a record-setting night.

The stadium guests were briefed on statistics regarding the impact the Harbor has on at-risk children in the community. Event chairmen Michael Knudsen and Fred Wahrlich, along with honorary chair Diane Englet, visited with the attendees, discussing pointers for drafting their teams. Auction chairs Vicki Lehner and Rachel Price scored big on the silent auction with autographed sports memorabilia, big boards, a wine pull, and an exciting live auction. A big bonus: The fantasy football winner will receive two tickets to the 2019 Super Bowl.

The draft evening has raised over $1,300,000 in six years to help Today’s Harbor for Children achieve their mission of providing healthy, comprehensive residential care for abused and neglected children throughout the southeast Texas region. The Harbor empowers children to overcome self-destructive patterns, break cycles of abuse, develop social skills, learn responsibility, and ultimately take back their own life path – becoming the next generation of neighbors, coworkers, friends, and family.

The fantasy crowd included: Gretchen and John Hodge, Melinda and Keith Landsness, Laura and Wayne Kinningham, Rhonda and Fred Newhouse, Harbor CEO Don Sweat and wife Diane, Claudia and Darayus Pardivala, Ken Sellars, Monica and Joe Casiano, Bill Lehner, Gladney Darroh, Tracy and Ken Janda, and Elizabeth and Grant Harvey.

VIcki Lehner and Rachel Price.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

VIcki Lehner and Rachel Price.

Michelin Stars

Superstar Spanish chefs return to Houston for dinners with a purpose

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.

Courtesy of Texas Children’s Hospital

Jordi Roca, Ignacio Torras, and Joan Roca.

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