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Houstonians toast Buffalo Bayou Park's birthday with picnic under the stars

What: The 2020 Buffalo Bayou Partnership Picnic

Where: The Water Works at Buffalo Bayou Park

The scoop: More than 200 Houstonians gathered locally and virtually to toast the beloved Buffalo Bayou Park’s fifth anniversary at an elegant picnic. Guests enjoyed a socially distanced, intimate, and elegant picnic al fresco replete with picnic baskets by A Fare Extraordinaire and garden lights beaming under the stars. Music came courtesy of the jazzy José-Miguel Yamal Phase One.

Bergner & Johnson provided the outdoor setting with colorful wildflower centerpieces. Jo’s Mini Mobile Bar served up the event’s signature cocktail, a blood orange margarita dubbed “Buffalo Rita.”

Mayor Sylvester Turner praised BBP and awarded Anne Olson a proclamation announcing the day as Anne Olson Day. The proclamation celebrated Anne’s 25-year anniversary as BBP president and recognized her leadership of Buffalo Bayou Partnership and commitment to making Houston a greener and greater city. Nancy and Rich Kinder, who could not attend,were also recognized for their contributions towards BBP and the enhancement of Buffalo Bayou.

Meanwhile, attendees were treated to a performance by ROCO to showcase the orchestra’s musical scavenger hunt, currently installed throughout Buffalo Bayou Park through the end of the year. The special piece that was originally written for the heroes of Harvey, Anthony DiLorenzo’s “Anthem of Hope: Houston Strong” was recently recommissioned to celebrate our frontline COVID workers.

The evening, chaired by Winifred and Carleton Riser and Leslie and Shannon Sasser, raised nearly $350,000 for Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s (BBP) operating support and will allow the non-profit organization to continue revitalizing, maintaining, and activating Buffalo Bayou.

Who: Sis and Hasty Johnson, Gaynell Floyd Drexler, Lisa Helfman and Lee Haverman, Kelly and John Mooz, Alisha Nathoo, Bo Fraga, Gayle and Bob Eury, Wendy and Shawn Cloonan, Anne Whitlock and Michael Skelly, Geraldina Wise, and Mike Garver.

Diandra Breen, Frances Lummis, Anna Marie Soza, and Chase Musslewhite.

Photo by Jenny Antill

Diandra Breen, Frances Lummis, Anna Marie Soza, and Chase Musslewhite.

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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.

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