The Houston Symphony kicks its fundraising efforts up a notch in the new year with a number of special events but none more special than the annual "Wine Dinner and Collector's Auction." Acclaimed celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck of Los Angeles will take the helm in the kitchen at The Corinthian for this evening only two weeks after his annual stint as master chef at the Academy Awards' Governor's Ball.
Wine Dinner chairs Gina and Dr. Devinder Bhatia convinced their friend Puck to join the scene on March 13 for this always tasty evening. Puck and his team will partner with Jackson and Company to create "a gourmet dinner experience unlike any other in the city," according to Devinder Bhatia, a serious wine collector. "If you love food and wine, you won’t want to miss this event,” he said in a statement.
The Bhatias will join Lindy and John Rydman of Spec's Wines, Spirits and Finer Foods in selecting wine pairings for Puck's menu.
Another date on which the symphony shakes things up is May 2 when the Houston Symphony Ball takes a musical turn at the Hilton Americas-Houston. Two musical acts will entertain guests — Broadway pianist and singer Michael Cavanaugh followed by rock 'n' roll masters Huey Lewis and the News. This format is a first for the symphony with ball chairs Sherry and Jim Smith and Lisa and Jerry Simon leading the charge. A DJ joins the action later in the night for the ball after-party.
Proceeds from these events as well as from the annual Magical Musical Morning, Dec. 14, and the Children's Fashion Show, March 8, both at River Oaks Country Club, benefit the symphony's education and community programming.
As Wine Dinner chairs, Gina and Dr. Devinder Bhatia are bringing in their friend Wolfgang Puck to oversee the feast.
