Club Da Camera Rolls Out the Red Carpet for a Top Houston Chef

Robert Del Grande and Da Camera go way back. The Houston chef has been a fan of the cultural organization for more than a decade and has supported it as a board member and ticket buyer (and by hosting dinners for visiting artists).

Now, it’s his turn: This weekend, the group’s 28th annual gala will honor Del Grande’s contributions with Champagne, cocktails, wine and food. And a performance by Jason Moran.

“Eliot Fisk is who made me take notice of Da Camera,” Del Grande told me. We were seated at his restaurant RDG, talking about music and philosophy and cooking. “I play classical guitar as well, so when I saw that he was coming to Houston, we bought tickets. The night of the concert we showed up and were hoping to meet Fisk; after the show, a long line of people were waiting to talk to him. I was chatting with someone else, and before too long, Mimi [Del Grande’s wife and business partner] came over, Fisk in tow.

“We took him to dinner that evening at Cafe Annie and have stayed in touch since then.”

This was back in the early 2000s. Del Grande also offered to serve as Da Camera’s food and beverage guy — a win-win relationship that continues still.

The gala, known officially as Club Da Camera, takes place at The Corinthian, and you can get your tickets here.