Since opening her new sweets shop in the Centre at Post Oak, chocolatier Annie Rupani has done a bit of entertaining in her Cacao & Cardamom boutique, most recently hosting a benefit for the Chester Pitts Charitable Foundation.
A member of the original Houston Texans team, Chester Pitts stepped behind the counter to help sell the handmade, artisanal chocolates that put Rupani on the good eats map. With a portion of the sales going to his charity, Pitts rounded up Houston Texans starting right guard Brandon Brooks and former Texan Antoine Caldwell to join in the effort.
As part of the charity fun, 10 youngsters, fifth through ninth grades, were invited into the kitchen to learn about the fine art of chocolate-making and to get the inside scoop from Rupani on the challenges and rewards of being a small business owner. Special Houston Texans chocolates were on the menu. And for adults, the chocolate martinis courtesy of Deep Eddy Vodka were a hit.
Previously, Rupani had saluted Fashion Houston honchos with a chocolate and cocktail fete that brought out the fashionistas. Displaying her creative talents, Rupani prepared special servings of Black Sesame Ginger, Cardamom Rose and Blueberry Lime chocolates.
Fashion Houston founder Jared Lang led the throng that included Katherine Whaley, Michael Chabala, Marissa Cilento, Mark Sullivan, Diane Lokey Farb, Allie and Jay Fields and jewelry designer Breccia Demartini.
Chester Pitts, from left, Annie Rupani, Antoine Caldwell and Brandon Brooks.
