Houston Rockets Team Chef to Cook up a To-Die-For Menu For Leslie Alexander’s Big Night

Houston Rockets team chef Rey Darthard is no stranger to the black-tie circuit though his recent societal jaunts away from center court have been limited to team events. That changes on September 22 when the man who keeps James Harden well fed shares his culinary expertise with guests at PetSet‘s annual Fierce & Fabulous gala.

The evening honors Rockets owner Leslie Alexander, who recently revealed his intentions of selling the team. So who better to coordinate the dinner than Chef Rey, who has been insuring the nutritional health of the team on home court and in the air as they travel to away games. Don’t be misled by the “nutritional” emphasis. Chef Rey knows plenty about pleasing picky palates. His former catering company, Nevele’s, served such celebs as Beyoncé, Natalie Cole, Yao Ming, and Jennifer Holiday.

With the Astorian kitchen as his culinary canvas, Chef Rey is planning on creating a masterpiece for those attending the 13th annual gala. In addition to a round of yummy hors d’oeuvres, the menu will begin with a raspberry/pear salad with mesclun greens and raspberry vinaigrette. The entree plate includes a mesquite-grilled filet mignon, Old Bay spicy jumbo prawns, Chef Rey’s signature cajun risotto, and truffle haricot verts. For dessert, guests will fill the sweet tooth with strawberry-filled chocolate ganache cake.

Gala chairs Gina and Dr. Devinder Bhatia, Tena Lundquist Faust and Tama Lundquist are over the moon with Chef Rey’s plans for the evening. The Bhatias have a special ingredient planned to make the evening all the more savory.

Serious wine collectors, the couple will add an extraordinary auction item to the fundraising effort — a five-course dinner for 12 in the their wine cellar, which houses 14,000 bottles of exceptional wines. The dinner will be prepared by Jackson and Company and the wine selection curated by Devinder.

Details on the evening are available at info@HoustonPetSet.org or 713-960-6622.