Shelby's Social Diary

And the Celebrity Pet of the Year is . . . This gala full of real fur coats brings a very special reveal

Having landed in Houston less than a year ago as Saks Fifth Avenue GM, Bobby Dees made his official mark in Houston Saturday night when he and his pooch, Tony, took top honors at Citizens for Animal Protection's annual "Celebrity Paws Gala," held at the Hilton-Americas Houston.

Dees and Tony were one of nine entries in the competition that features pets and their owners in striking vignettes. Each year, the top dog award goes to the canine receiving the most "votes," as in dollars raised.

Entering their pooches in the Celebrity Pet of the Year race and presented as honorees were Jana and Scotty Arnoldy, Frank Billingsley and Kevin Gilliard, Dominic Cellitti, Patricia Cornelius, Lauren Haize, Michelle Maresh, Shelley Reeves and Dr. Angela Sturm. Adding a youthful note to the proceedings were junior honorees Dylan Michelle Milam, Brooks Andrew Milam and Nikhil Shah.

Chair Diane Mattly and co-chair Kim Padgett welcomed the pet-loving throng of 600 while CAP executive director Kappy Muenzer offered her appreciation for the support.

There were plenty of awards on this evening beginning with the Melcher Humanitarian of the Year Award going toLeslie Alexander and the Houston Rockets. Beverly Wren, Gary Miller and Greg Miller were honored as CAP Cherished Companions. Carol and Bill Simmons received Celebrity Pet Hall of Fame honors.

Pet lovers applauding the contestants and honorees included Weezy Dees, Linda Schmuck and Todd Zucker, Andrew Cordes and Brian Teichman, Franelle Rogers, Francie and Mike Willis, Veronica and Mike Curran, Vicki and Jack Rizzo, Susan and Dan Boggio and Melena and Mike Moriarty.

Weezy and Bobby Dees at the Citizens for Animal Protection Gala.

Wezy and Bobby Dees at the Citizens for Animal Protection Gala November 2013

Photo by Kim Coffman

Weezy and Bobby Dees at the Citizens for Animal Protection Gala.

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recipe for success

10 female chefs, 10 courses, 1 incredible night for Houston's Hope Farms

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Jessica Timmons, Andrea De Gortari, Ning Bates, Victoria Elizondo, Kate McLean, Gracie Cavnar, Jane Wild, Alyssa Dole, Erin O’Leary Stewart, and Suu Khin.

A dash of culinary genius and a whole lot of heart filled plates at Hope Farms on November 11 as the 19th Annual Delicious Alchemy Banquet benefiting Recipe for Success Foundation dished an unforgettable evening. This year, the recipe called for a twist: A brigade of 10 phenomenal female chefs crafting 10 courses in a celebration of food, community, and creativity.

Fifty gourmands lined up under the glow of the United Healthcare Foundation Gathering Barn, where the ambiance was as curated as the dishes. White blooms from Flower Child Urban Farm and Studio levitated over a black tablescape designed by Recipe for Success founder Gracie Cavnar.

The star-studded chef roster featured some of Houston’s finest. Among the notable creations were chef Kate McLean’s duck cones with scallion pudding and chef Erin O’Leary Stewart’s black trumpet mushroom crisps paired with herbed cashew cheese. The crowd’s taste buds continued their joyride through courses like chef Suu Khin’s turnip coconut cream soup with turmeric, and chef Benchawan Painter’s crispy chicken bathed in coconut kombucha squash and pumpkin curry sauce.

By dessert, chef Alyssa Dole’s olive oil cake with beet mascarpone whip sweetened the experience, and chef Andrea De Gortari sent everyone home with a bag of bite-sized happiness featuring spiced sweet potato cookies and chocolate beet morsels. Other chefs contributing to the foodie wonderland included Barbara McKnight, Victoria Elizondo, Jane Wild, and Jessica Timmons.

No banquet is complete without libations. From the effervescent Poggio Costa Prosecco to Saint Arnold Brewing Co.’s craft brews and Tito’s Handmade Vodka cocktails, sips elevated the dining adventure. And of course, Natalie Vaclavik’s curated wine selection ensured a cornucopia of flavors. With service provided by Culinaire, this feast encouraged the coterie to save the date for the 20th annual fete, set for November 10, 2025 chaired by Virginia and Will McMullen.

The banquet mirrored Recipe for Success Foundation’s mission to combat childhood obesity through programs that teach kids and families the art of healthy eating. This gastronomic evening raised awareness for initiatives like Seed-to-Plate Nutrition Education, serving more than 50,000 youth.

Wining and dining were:Bob Cavnar, Rudy Guerra, Ford Hubbard, Renea Abbott, Sherree and Norman Frede, Anita and David Garten, Matt Henneman and Kimberly Cutchall, Aashish and Erin Parekh, Jessica Rossman, Gayla Gardner, Ariel Lopez, Michele and Gerald LaNoue, Myrtle Jones, Kelly and Kim Hales, Lynne Goode and Harrison Williams, and Karen and Murry Penner.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Jessica Timmons, Andrea De Gortari, Ning Bates, Victoria Elizondo, Kate McLean, Gracie Cavnar, Jane Wild, Alyssa Dole, Erin O’Leary Stewart, and Suu Khin.

fundraisers chefs recipe for success