cultural showcase

Houston moms sparkle with international flair at fashionable luncheon

One doesn’t have to meander far from home in Houston to have a worldly experience. On Saturday, May 11, 2024 — a day before Mother’s Day — a stopover at the Junior League of Houston sure beats the layover often necessary to gallivant across the globe. Leave the luggage at home for this one, kids.

Thank media maven Ruchi Mukherjee for that.

The stylish social butterfly was at it again, hosting the 11th Annual International Mother’s Day Luncheon presented by LCAHouston. More than just a repast among fashionable media personalities and their families and friends, the event showcased the cultural diversity and richness found right here while honoring the matriarchs of the Bayou City — and a handful of fathers, too.

These moms and dads took to the runway and strutted in gleaming duds that revealed what was special about their heritage, slaying the catwalk with their sons and daughters by their side. The room was outfitted with subtle shades of blues and whites to allow the fashion to vibe and sparkle. Honorees for this edition of the luncheon were Dr. Olga Bachilo, Dr. Brenda Rios Brombacher, Cortney Cole, Rose Chen, Monica Fulton, Blanca Jolly, Katherine Le, Luanne Marshall, Rekha Muddaraj, Amie Parker, Yong Tran, Katherine Whaley, and Leisa Holland-Nelson. The dads, holding their own, included Dr. Rick Kline, James Dale, Walter Sassard, and Gordon Quan. Each honoree received a glass trophy as a token of gratitude for their community service and dedication to their families.

KTRK reporters Pooja Lodhia and Mycah Hatfield served as emcees, engaging in a heart-to-heart chat with Mukherjee, who professed her views about her purpose. “When you empower a mother, you empower a nation,” she said.

Mukherjee unveiled the latest print edition of LCAHouston, featuring a collaboration with UNICEF and highlighting global trailblazers. Mukherjee also revealed that she said yes to marriage. She’s set to tie the knot with Sassard in November at The Bryan Museum in Galveston.

Seen among the throng of 250 were Eileen Lawal, Susan Boggio, Ann Holmes, Miya Shay, Corbett Parker, Lindsay Yates, Dr. Sippi Khurana, Felicia Stone, Dr. Alice Mao, Christy Lynn, Vicki Rizzo, Roz Pactor, Neil Badlani, and Chris Whaley.

Courtesy of LCAHouston

2024 LCAHouston International Mothers’s Day Honorees.

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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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