Nashville’s Country Music Elite and Houston’s Top Chefs Meet in the Museum District

For eight years, the T.J. Martell Foundation has been tempting the palates of oenophiles and gourmands with the annual cancer research fundraising dinner featuring a handful of the city’s top chefs. No surprise then that the most recent gastronomic adventure enjoyed a clutch of terrific chefs.

Taking over the kitchen at Hotel ZaZa Museum District were chef chairman Mark Cox, who tapped BCN Taste & Tradition chef Luis Roger, Etoile Cuisine et Bar chef Philippe Verpiand and Doris Metropolitan chef Sash Kurgan, all working in tandem with Hotel ZaZa chef Kristy Quach.

Adding to the tasty affair were prized bottles from the private cellars of table hosts, those generous folks organized by wine hosts chair Robert Sakowitz.

Applause, applause for chair Franelle Rogers, who with honorary chairs Carolyn Faulk, Jean and Jim Janke and Dean Putterman, oversaw the raising of $225,000 for M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Star power, tradition with this Nashville-originated event, was provided by Randy Travis and his wife, Mary, who received a standing ovation when introduced. Award-winning songwriters Jerrod Niemann, Rob Hatch and Lance Miller provided entertainment while emcee and auctioneer Shawn Parr, nationally syndicated radio show host of Nash Nights Live and voice of the Academy of Country Music Awards, the American Music Awards and The Golden Globes, kept the crowd on its toes.

Dining in style: Pat Studdert, Kimberly and Guy Stout, Becky and Michael Harris, Julie and Stephen Chen, Dr. Robert Bast, Mark Bermann, Stephanie and David Baird, Caroline and Gary Kenney, Hallie Vanderhider, Elizabeth and Alan Stein, Cathy and David Herr, Deana and Larry Blackburn, and Kelly and Steve Provenzano.