Dish-Houston

Monday night saw some of Houston's culinary stars come out for a celebration if giving back thanks to CNN 650's resident foodie, Cleverley Stone. Hosted by Pappas Bros. Steak House, Houston Restaurant Week founder and chair, Cleverley Stone, announced that a record $240,000 was raised for the Houston Food Bank during the 2009 event. Eighty-four restaurants participated in the city-wide culinary event, held Aug. 10–23; 64 restaurants extended their special menus through Aug. 31 following the success of the first two weeks of the event. Participating restaurants offered three-course gourmet dinners for $35 per person and pledged five dollars from each special meal sold to the Houston Food Bank.

“My most heartfelt thank you goes out to participating restaurants, Houston Restaurant Week sponsors, the event committee, the Houston Food Bank and the 48,000 Houstonians who joined in the effort to fight hunger in our city. Without the support of our generous community, we would not have been able to raise a record-breaking $240,000 to make the 2009 event the most successful to date,” said Cleverley Stone, founder and chair of Houston Restaurant Week.

“This event provided a great opportunity for everyone in the community to support the Houston Food Bank and at the same time have a fine dining experience. We sincerely appreciate the time, effort and expertise of Cleverley Stone, and we can’t thank her enough for her leadership and generosity in organizing the event. We’re so pleased with the results and are already looking forward to another successful Houston Restaurant Week next year,” said Brian Greene, president and CEO of the Houston Food Bank.

Established in 2003, this year’s Houston Restaurant Week raised more than three times last year’s total of nearly $80,000. Approximately 48,000 Houstonians dined at 84 participating restaurants throughout the greater Houston area; last year’s event attracted 53 participating restaurants. To date, the event has raised more than $356,000 to support hunger relief in Houston.

Seen in the crowd: Cleverley Stone, Kim Padgett, Kimberley Park, Edward Sanchez, Dr. Roland Maldanado, Ashley Allen with The Health Museum, David Cordua with Cordua Restaurants, Arthur Mooradian with Del Friscos

Do you have your tickets yet for The Health Museum's Casino Night!!?? It's Saturday!

It's that time--Casino Night 2009 benefiting The Health Museum is just around the corner! Purchase your tickets today--to avoid missing out on a Sin City-filled evening of gambling, dancing, vegas entertainment and mayhem. And, there is still the After Party;) Tickets are selling quickly--grab yours before we shut it down!

Co-Chairs
Lara Bell
Roseann Rogers

Auction Chairs
Libby Cagle
Amy Popp

After-Party Chairs
Katherine Orellana
Mark Sullivan

Host Committee

Ms. Sharon Aboussleman & Mr. Errol McLaughlin; Ms. Ashley Allen & Mr. David Cordua; Ms. Cynthia Summerford Birdwell; Mrs. Linda Brown; Ms. Kristen Cannon; Ms. Diane Cervenka; Mr. Ronald Cormier & Mr. Bruce Sebree; Mrs. Tammy Dowe; Mr. Nick Espinosa; Mr. Mark A. and Mrs. Jennifer L. Evans; Ms. Lori Freese; Mr. Naji Ghorayeb; Mr. Eric & Mrs. Suzanne Gschwind; Ms. Tiffany Halik; Mr. Dennis Hatchett; Ms. Sarah Jones; Ms. Jennifer Juarez; Mr. Cullen Kappler; Mr. Bryce Hairston Kennard; Drs. Ayeez & Shelena Laji; Mr. Jared Lang; Ms. Lisa Lee; Mrs. Traci Lee; Ms. Jennifer LeGrand; Ms. Abby Lestin; Mr. Brent Milam; Ms. Amanda Mills; Mr. Tim Moloney; Ms. Samantha Mundinger; Ms. Mauri Oliver; Ms. Erica Rose; Dr. Franklin & Mrs. Cindi Rose; Mr. Benjamin Rose; Mr. Kyle Ross; Dr. Lucho Rossman; Ms. Jessica Rossman & Mr. Gordon Bethune; Ms. Samira Anne Salman; Mr. Bob Schamus; Dr. Aashish Shah; Ms. Sarah Smith; Mr. John Spurrell; Mr. Sanford Steinberg; Mr. and Mrs. Gib Walton; Ms. Christina Ward; Ms. Ashley Werhly; Mr. Drew Wilson; and Mrs. Bonnie Bell Woodrow. (We've bolded the ones we know and love =))

Join the high rollers of Houston on August 15th, 2009
from 7:00-11:00 p.m. at The Four Seasons Hotel and support The Health Museum!

This is the third annual event for an evening not to be missed! Proceeds benefit the Museum's programs and exhibits. This event brings the fun and energy of a Las Vegas casino to the streets of Houston! Hot guests enjoy the excitement of gambling and the thrill of shopping all while enjoying canapés and concoctions.

Sponsors:

~THE HOUSE~
The Four Seasons Hotel
~STRAIGHT FLUSH~
Southwest Airlines
~FOUR OF A KIND~
808INC~ J&D Entertainment
~FULL HOUSE~
002 Houston Magazine~Edward Sanchez Cosmetics
~FLUSH~
Let it Fly Events~Mrs. Sue Trammel Whitfield~Centerpoint Energy~Jon & Cindy Iszard~Kyle Ross & Katherine Orellana~Mike Speets & Krystle Rossi~Mike Stanley & Paula Speets~Danny Villarreal & Pat Siddons~Roseann Rogers & Lara Bell~Brian Parsley, M.D.~Rome Salon and Day Spa

~Tantilizing bites by Quattro Restaurant
~Casino Games & Vegas Entertainment
~Music by Elvis, DJ Pooks & The Caceres Trio
~Complimentary Valet Parking
~Attire: Casino Chic

Tickets start at $100 for museum members, $125 for non-members, and $150 if you purchase tickets at the door.

For more info and to buy tickets, please CLICK HERE!

See you THERE DISHIES!!!