Houston’s Best Chefs Compete for Top Foodie Honors

Food, glorious food — the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Gala filled Revention Music Center with the tantalizing aromas of dishes presented by 25 chefs, each aiming to win top honors. What a treat for the 550 guests who grazed their way through the yummy offerings!

For the record, Anejo chef Alberto Gutierrez took Best Culinary Creation for his duck confit crepe with parsnip puree and black mole. Chef Maurizio Ferrarese of Quattro won Best Presentation for his artichoke purée, sunchoke crisp, prosecco, sourdough croutons, and bottarga. Corner Table chef Eric Aldis won the coveted People’s Choice award for his sous-vide New Zealand ocean trout with Pacific pickled peppers, drizzled with green goddess dressing.

Spotlighted long before the doors opened was Culinary Honoree Danny Trace of Brennan’s.

The evening, which raised $650,000, was chaired by Valerie and Tracy Dieterich and Jaci and Jim Smith. Contributing to the night were auction chairs Ishwaria and Vivek Subbiah and culinary chairs Christie Sullivan and Matt Harris.

Taking bows were Community Honorees Jana and Scotty Arnoldy, Corporate Honoree the Woman’s Hospital of Texas, and Medical Honorees Houston Perinatal Associates represented by Dr. Karolina Adam, Dr. Joanie Hare, Dr. Brian Kirshon, and Dr. Alexander Reiter.

Seen: Woman’s Hospital of Texas CEO Ashley McClellan, Susan and Dick Hansen, Margaret Alkek Williams, Chree Boydston, Joel Kalmin, Dr. Eric Petersen, Rachel Regan, Michelle Smith, Khambrel Marshall, Millette and Haag Sherman, Monsour Taghdisi, Henry Richardson, Jill and Kenny Mercado, and Mary and Dr. Mark D’Andrea.