Shelby's Social Diary
3,300 Houston Zoo fans partied while the crocodiles, Komodo dragons and piranhafeasted
You could not have squeezed one more two-legged mammal into the Houston Zoo Friday night for the fifth annual Feast With the Beast fundraiser. More than 3,300 eager supporters prowled the zoo grounds on a perfect night for partying al fresco.
They aren't kidding when they call it "feast with the beast." While partygoers grazed through the food stations presented by 51 restaurants and caterers, zoo residents enjoyed their own dinner for the entertainment of the humans. Smaug, the male Komodo dragon, dined on goat carcass. The piranha supped on shrimp morsels. The vultures, fish in the aquarium and crocodiles also enjoyed a fine meal.
While everyone got to view the feedings, the folks who plunked down larger chunks of change for their tickets had access to the VIP area that included the Bud Light Lounge and the stage where 94.5 The Buzz's Rod Ryan and KPRC's Rachel McNeill hosted animal presentations. There was even a meet-and-greet with the Spin Doctors, who entertained for the larger crowd.
Animal pals included Kathy and Marty Goossen, Sandy and Mike Ballases Cyndy Garza-Roberts, Ted Owen and Gray Thornton, Dan D'Armond, Denise and Mark McFann, Hollis and Tom Walters, Jane Block and Linnet Deily.
Feast With the Beasts spotlights those restaurants that have been with the benefit since its inception in 2006 as Cornerstone Cuisine. They are Crapitto's Cucina Italiana, Joyce's Seafood & Steaks, Molina's Cantina, Ouisie's Table, Picnic and Taste of Texas Restaurant. The catering is handled under the watchful eye of the zoo's official chef Shane Miller.