Shelby's Social Diary

Princess Diana's former chef whips up a royal feast at La Colombe d'Or

Photo by Gary Fountain
The royal chef prepared a six-course feast for Brilliant Lecture Seriessupporters.
Photo by Gary Fountain
Lynn Wyatt served as hosts for the 40 dinner guests.
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
Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres were served in La Colombe d'Or foyer.
Photo by Gary Fountain

Brilliant Lecture Series' founder Scott Brogan and Lynn Wyatt, series chair emeritus,had a truly brilliant idea for the non-profit's fifth anniversary: Celebrate with a "royal" chef who is as talented with story telling as he is with a whisk.

Thus, they tapped Princess Diana's former chef Darren McGrady to prepare a six-course feast laced with anecdotes covering the royal playgrounds from Buckingham Palace to Balmoral.

Forty privileged guests in black-tie and long gowns sat down to the candlelight dinner Saturday night in the dining room at La Colombe d'Or where Wyatt, royalty in her own right, served as host.

McGrady, now based in Dallas where he works as a private chef, selected dishes that were favorites of the royals and that represented the various palaces where he cooked for Queen Elizabeth and family. Minted pea soup with lump crab, Dover sole and salmon, champagne sorbet, beef tenderloin, a cheese course and sticky toffee pudding. A feast indeed, but served in civilized portions so that no one departed with a bloat.

The talented raconteur, who was Diana's personal chef at Kensington Palace for four years, did not serve the Princess's favorite dish: Stuffed red peppers filled with mushrooms, bacon, zucchini, rice, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. But that recipe and others from the evening are included in McGrady's cookbook Eating Royally. Each guest received a personally inscribed copy.

Among the well-fed group were Susie and Sanford Criner, Michelle and Frank Hevrdejs, Linda and Dr. Walter McReynolds, Dina Alsowayel and Tony Chase, Sofia Adrogué and Sten Gustafson, Brad Wyatt, Phoebe Tudor, Milton Townsend, Denise Bush Bahr, Philip Bahr and Sue and Lester Smith.

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Party Watch

Houston’s young and chic rally for Symphony with wine and flair

Houston Symphony Young Associates Andiron dinner

Photo by Johnny Tran

Aprill Nelson, Kirby Lodholz, and Carrie Brandsberg-Dahl.

What: Houston Symphony Young Associates Council Tasting Notes: A Wine and Spirits Pairing Dinner

Where: Andiron

The scoop: Members of the Houston Symphony's Young Associates Council and friends raised a glass — or several, but who’s counting for a good cause. The exclusive and charming evening drew eager oenophiles and symphony fans who enjoyed a thoughtfully curated experience for the taste buds and the soul.

The evening opened with a lively cocktail hour, where the chic A-listers mingled over hand-crafted potions. Chef Michael O'Connor's Andiron team prepared a multi-course tasting menu, with each dish paired with a selection of wines and spirits that elevated the flavors. Adding a touch of melodious elegance, Houston Symphony musicians Boson Mo on violin and Sheldon Person on viola performed a set featuring Spanish and French arrangements. Europe without a plane ride? We’re in.

With Aprill Nelson, Carrie Brandsberg-Dahl, and Kirby Lodholz at the helm, the proceeds contributed to the Houston Symphony’s Wine Dinner and Auction, directly supporting the symphony’s Education and Community Engagement programs.

Who: Javita Alexander, Kimberly and James Bell, Sverre Brandsberg-Dahl, Lindsay Buchanan and Brian Fisher, Elizabeth Condie, Ray Dennison, Logan and Charles Dresser, Sarah and Reza Ebrahimi, Gonzalo Farias, Laurel Flores and Matt Weathers, Blaine Fulmer, Amy Goodpasture, Roya Gordon, Mario Gudmundsson, China Howard, Jonathan Jan, Paul Kirchkoff, Jeremy Kreutz, David Lodholz, Maxine Olefsky and Justin Kenney, Sagar Patel, Lauren Price and Gator Adams, Nikki Reddy, Anthony Sanchez Rodriguez Lee, Liana and Andrew Schwaitzberg, Crystal and Hussein Shel, Melanie Smith, Jen Torres, Stephanie Weber and Paul Muri.

Photo by Johnny Tran

Aprill Nelson, Kirby Lodholz, and Carrie Brandsberg-Dahl.

houston symphony young professionals fundraisers

Shelby's Social Diary

Princess Diana's former chef whips up a royal feast at La Colombe d'Or

Party Watch

Houston’s young and chic rally for Symphony with wine and flair

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