Shelby About Town

A dashing Frenchman wows the shopping ladies, Richard Dreyfuss sticks up forH-Town teachers & UH stars shine

Aimee Woodall, left, perfumier Fabrice Penot and Kate Stukenberg at 15fifteen atSaks Fifth Avenue.
Courtesy Photo
Monica Bickers, from left, Luvi Wheelock, Fabrice Penot, Katherine Phelps andLucia Clark at the perfume dinner.
Courtesy Photo
Actors Robert Wuhl, left, and Brett Cullen with UH president Renu Khator at thebenefit evening on the UH campus.
Photo by © Michael Hart
Richard Dreyfuss
The Dreyfuss Initiative

We can't be sure if the handful of ladies dining at 51fifteen were more inclined to swoon over the Le Labo fragrances or over the dinner host — dashing Frenchman Fabrice Penot, co-founder of the perfume house. Whatever the stronger influence, the femmes sat mesmerized for almost four hours as Penot held court.

He was in Houston visiting Saks Fifth Avenue for the promotion of the hand-manufactured, high-end fragrance line that he launched after years working for Giorgio Armani in perfume development. Saks in the Galleria is the only store in Texas to carry Le Labo.

Fashion editor Kate Stukenberg had met the Frenchman several months ago when she interviewed him for PaperCity. She organized the intimate dinner party that included CultureMap's Meredith Riddle, Monica Bickers, Katherine Phelps, Luvi Wheelock, Aimee Woodall, Melissa Woodall, Melissa Edwards, Deli Cole and Lucia Clark.

The stars at night

They were big and bright at the University of Houston over the weekend for "Legacy: A Celebration of the UH School of Theatre & Dance." Star alums from the school took the stage at the university's Lyndall Finley Wortham Theatre for an evening of songs and stories.

Headliners were Brett Cullen, Brent Spiner, Robert Wuhl, Billy Stritch, Sally Mayes, Sharon Montgomery and recent grad Jenna Simmons. UH president Renu Khator closed out the evening by joining the performers on stage with a big thank you for their support of their alma mater.

Before things got rolling on stage, special guests were invited to a backstage reception with the stars. Among those were Alley Theatre managing director Dean Gladden, Theatre Under the Stars artistic director Bruce Lumpkin, TUTS CEO and president John Breckenridge, TUTS board member Melissa Edwards and UH supporters Lillie Robertson, Nancy and Rob Martin and Shirley and Don Rose.

Fund for Teachers star power

Vicki and Steve Farris and Leticia and Steve Trauber, chairs of the Fund for Teachers dinner benefit Oct. 17, are kicking up their heels with announcement that Academy Award winner Richard Dreyfuss will be on hand to help raise funds for and honor teachers.

For reservations and details on the event to be held at Hotel ZaZa, call 713-296-6141.

Fleming's on the charity beat

Say thank you to Fleming's Prime Steakhouse operating partner Sam Governale for a month filled with giving. Oct. 8 through Nov. 4, Fleming's River Oaks celebrates its 10th anniversary with a special menu that each week benefits a different charity.

The generous three-course menu is priced at $59.95 per person, not including tax and tip, and $10 of each meal goes to that week's selected charity.

Beneficiaries are the Sunshine Kids, United 2 Cure, Candlelighters and City Art Works.

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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.

fundraisers hospitals texas children's hospital