Top Chefs, Celeb Sommeliers and Dazzling Jewels Add Up to a Sweet Houston Night

What: AVDA‘s 12th annual Home Safe Home gala

Where: The Crystal Ballroom at The Rice

PC Moment:  Between the sparkling jewels from Tenenbaum Jewelers and the tasty creations of a dozen highly-regarded chefs and wine selections from top sommeliers, the senses were totally engaged at the benefit for Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse (AVDA). More than 300 mingled across the sea of gourmet dishes elegantly paired with fine wines and viewed with envy the selection of beautiful jewelry. Contributing to the proceeds in excess of $300,000 were the wine pull presented by Westide Lexus, an online auction and the Tenenbaum $10,000 gift certificate.

Chaired by Esther and Doug Freedman and Candace and Brian Thomas, the evening honored Bobbie Nau with the Heart of Houston Award and Ronald Dr. Krist with the Joseph D. Jamail Award for Justice.

Chefs contributing their talents to the event were Bjourn Appling (Abuso Catering), Joe Cervantez (Brennan’s of Houston), David Denis ( Le Mistral), Nick Fine and Gary Ly (One Fifth/ Underbelly), Elliott Kelly ( Café Annie), Adison Lee (Kuu Sushi), Armando Ramirez (Star Fish), Bramwell Tripp (The Pit Room), Kiran Verma ( Kiran’s), Chris Williams ( Lucille’s) and John Sheely (Lowbrow). Celeb sommeliers selecting the wines were Sean Beck, David Keck, Antonio Gianola and Cat Nguyen.

Who: Emcee Leisa Holland-Nelson, Richard Mithoff, Tony Bradfield and Kevin Black, Stacy and John Andell, Bonnie Likover, Carter and John Dugan, Nike Luqman, Trini Mendenhall, Mary Bergeron, Angela Sturm, Houston Police Department Capt. David Angelo, Amy and Bo Huggins, Glenda and Dan Kirshbaum, Sheila Aron, and Judges Keith Ellison, Doug Warne and Judy Warne.