What: AVDA's Home Safe Home Gala.
Where: Crystal Ballroom at The Rice.
The scoop: More than 300 guests turned out to sample delectable food and drink offerings from top Houston chefs and sommeliers to support AVDA (Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse), the nonprofit whose mission is to end family violence by advocating for the safety and self-determination of victims, promoting accountability for abusers, and fostering a community response to abuse.
The All-Star lineup included Bjourn Appling (Abuso Catering), Joe Cervantez (Brennan’s of Houston), David Denis (Le Mistral), Nick Fine/Gary Ly (One Fifth/ Underbelly), Elliott Kelly ( Café Annie), Adison Lee (Kuu Sushi), Armando Ramirez (Star Fish), Bramwell Tripp (The Pit Room), Kiran Verma ( Kiran’s), Chris Williams ( Lucille’s), and John Sheely (Lowbrow). Each chef's creations was paired with wines selected by sommeliers Sean Beck, David Keck, Antonio Gianola and Cat Nguyen.
The Kashmere Thunder Soul Marching Band and David Caceresentertained the crowd, who also took part in a Wine Pull presented by Westside Lexus, an online auction, and the Tenenbaum 10K, a fabulous gift certificate for $10,000 to Tenenbaum Jewelers.
Bobbie Nau was honored with AVDA’s Heart of Houston Award for her philanthropic and volunteer efforts while Ronald D. Krist received the Joseph D. Jamail Award for Justice from last year's recipient Richard Mithoff. Leisa Holland-Nelson served as emcee as AVDA board chairman Mark Russell welcomed the crowd.
The evening raised more than $300,000, with a portion earmarked for the AVDA Victim Relief Fund, which provides emergency assistance for AVDA clients impacted by Hurricane Harvey.
Who: Seen in the throng were event chairs Esther and Doug Freedman and Candace and Brian Thomas, Eric Andell, David Angelo, Anna Arispe, Marie Taylor Bosarge, Tony Bradfield and Kevin Black, Carvana Cloud, Carter and John Dugan, Judge Keith Ellison, Amy and Bo Huggins, Victoria Johnson, Glenda and Dan Kirshbaum, Bill and Carter Lee, Barbara Lewis, Nike Luqman, Trini Mendenhall, Susan and Bill Merriman, Ann Marie Reigrut, Angela Sturm, Judges Doug and Judy Warne, and Joe Wesley.
Blair Foster, Alyssa Aboloff, Emily Mohn, Hallie McDermott.
