What started as a younger professionals’ soirée has gracefully pirouetted into one in all Houston’s most anticipated culinary-meets-culture nights.
And this yr’s Elevating the Barre delivered a standing ovation-worthy efficiency. Hosted at Caracol, the fan-favorite tasting occasion drew almost 160 visitors on Could 4, the place balletomanes (and those that love them) mingled, noshed, and toasted to an clever trigger.
Co-chaired by Duyen and Marc Nguyen and Dr. Tatiana Sorkin and Michel Coret, the springtime soirée raised almost $110,000 for Houston Ballet, supporting its mission to encourage an enduring love for dance by means of efficiency and schooling. However this wasn’t your typical rubber-chicken charity dinner. Right here, dancers turned muses and sous cooks, becoming a member of forces with Houston’s culinary stars to serve up an impressed four-course meal, every dish a storytelling second in its personal proper.
Every course hit the desk like a pas de deux.
Chef Aaron Bludorn kicked issues off with soloist Danbi Kim, channeling her Korean childhood by means of a fragile sesame-crusted hamachi, balanced by gochujang French dressing and marinated cucumbers. Chef Chris Williams and demi-soloist Estheysis Menendez served a soul-warming lobster stew with plantain fufu and jalapeño pesto, a dish rooted in international custom and private reminiscence, honoring the dancer’s Cuban heritage and her mom’s love of herbs and wellness.
Then got here the entrée: Chef Hugo Ortega teamed with principal Chase O’Connell for picanha a las brazos, a coulotte steak celebration wearing pasilla mole and earthy mushroom zacahuil. The duo riffed on Chase’s ritualistic pre-performance steak dinners, including Ortega’s signature Latin American soul.
Pastry powerhouse Rebecca Masson of Fluff Bake Bar partnered with first soloist Gian Carlo Perez to shut out the present with a guava pastelillo topped with cream cheese ice cream and honey, a nod to his Cuban childhood sweets.
Including to the night’s considerate twist, these lush floral centerpieces didn’t simply wilt away post-party. Because of Houston nonprofit Bloom Once more, the preparations have been repurposed and delivered to native hospitals and care services, providing cheer past the ballroom.
Amongst these absorbing the scrumptious scene have been Beth Muecke, Patti Murphy, Ann Bean, Dr. Patrick Benge, Susan Binney, Jennifer Kushner, Kristy Bradshaw, Lindsey Brown, Andrea Medina, Lenni and Invoice Burke, Anne and Albert Chao, Jo Furr, Mitchell George and Stanley Curtis Jr., Paula Whitten-Doolin, Victoria Gutierrez and Nick Pierce, Carey Kirkpatrick, Deborah and Edward Koehler, S. Shawn Stephens and Jim Jordan, Liliana Soltero and Mike Hawkins, Yana and Warren McFatter, Kris and Richard McGee, Teal and Jeffrey Reamer, Julie Kent, Jim Nelson, Melissa Reihle, and Laura and Brannon Robertson.
