World Famous Roca Brothers Bring Their Restaurant Magic To Houston For Touching Genuine Cup Nights

In the midst of World Cup, Houston businessman and well-known philanthropist Ignacio Torras and Lorna Ortiz, co-founders of the Genuine Foundation, hosted for the second time back-to-back chef-driven Hope & Opportunity dinners. The doubleheader evenings of high gastronomy raised $655,000 for  programs that create employment pathways and opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including the Genuine Cup.

Hosted by the Genuine Foundation, the dinners are precursor to a Genuine Cup international soccer tournament that puts  players with neurodisabilities in the spotlight. The matches will be played in Houston in late July after this historic World Cup is done.

The Houston dinner evening, held at Soleil event space on Post Oak Boulevard, once again saw the internationally acclaimed Roca brothers of Spain’s three-Michelin-starred El Celler de Can Roca restaurant lead a fundraiser that celebrated both extraordinary gastronomy and the transformative impact of inclusion.

The brothers were joined by talented Houston chefs Felipe Botero of Le Jardinier, Felipe Riccio of March, Mayank Istwal of Musaafer and Luis Roger of BCN Taste & Tradition. All four having been honored with a Michelin star.

On the first evening, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and Torras, addressed the gathering. Also on the program was Robert “Quint” Rule, a Genuine Cup athlete and Rocambolesc employee whose personal story underscored the importance of meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual developmental disabilities.

Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones joined Torras and Rule on the second night in recognizing the growing movement to create more inclusive communities and workplaces.

“This event is about more than raising funds — it’s about raising expectations,” Torras says. “Every individual deserves the opportunity to contribute, succeed. And be recognized for their talents. Through hospitality, sport and community, we are creating pathways that help make that possible.”

Throughout the evening, members of the Genuine Cup community played an integral role in the dining experience.

PC Seen: Heidi Cuz, Isabelle Torras, Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones, Paula and Reginald DesRoches, Frances Moody Buzbee and Tony Buzbee, Anne and Albert Chao, Ann and Karl Stern, Manolo Sanchez, Carla and  Giorgio Spezzapria, Marie and Joe Flanigan, and Shammi and Mithu Malik.