Culinary throwdown heats up March of Dimes Signature Chefs Gala

Culinary throwdown heats up March of Dimes Signature Chefs Gala

Culinary throwdown heats up March of Dimes Signature Chefs Gala

Houston, March of Dimes Signature Chefs, November 2017, chef Dimitri Voutsinas

Chef Dimitri Voutsinas, second from left, of Emmaline restaurant and admirers. Photo by Priscilla Dickson Photography
Houston, March of Dimes Signature Chefs, November 2017, Stephen McNair, Stacy McNair, Susan Plank, Michael Plank

Stephen McNair, Stacy McNair, Susan Plank, Michael Plank. Photo by Priscilla Dickson Photography
Houston, March of Dimes Signature Chefs, November 2017, executive chef Joe Cervantez of Brennan's

Executive chef Joe Cervantez of Brennan’s and his team win Best Signature Dish. Photo by Priscilla Dickson Photography
Houston, March of Dimes Signature Chefs, November 2017, Christie Sullivan, Mark Sullivan

Mark Sullivan, Christie Sullivan. Photo by Priscilla Dickson Photography
Houston, March of Dimes Signature Chefs, November 2017, Tehquin Tanner and Dr. Lisette Tanner

Tehquin Tanner, Lisette Tanner. Photo by Priscilla Dickson Photography
Houston, March of Dimes Signature Chefs, November 2017, Devinder Bhatia, Gina Bhatia

Devinder Bhatia, Gina Bhatia. Photo by Priscilla Dickson Photography
Houston, March of Dimes Signature Chefs, November 2017, Hilda Ysusi

People’s Choice winner, Hilda Ysusi. Photo by Priscilla Dickson Photography
Houston, March of Dimes Signature Chefs, November 2017, Darcie Wells, Robert Del Grande, Mimi Del Grande

Darcie Wells, Robert Del Grande, Mimi Del Grande. Photo by Priscilla Dickson Photography
Houston, March of Dimes Signature Chefs, November 2017, Ishwaria Subbiah, Vivek Subbiah

Ishwaria Subbiah, Vivek Subbiah. Photo by Priscilla Dickson Photography
Houston, March of Dimes Signature Chefs, November 2017, Milette Sherman, Haag Sherman

Milette Sherman, Haag Sherman.   Photo by Priscilla Dickson Photography
Houston, March of Dimes Signature Chefs, November 2017, Samica Knight

Samica Knight. Photo by Priscilla Dickson Photography
Houston, March of Dimes Signature Chefs, November 2017, flappers

A 1920s theme set the scene for swingin’ good time. Photo by Priscilla Dickson Photography
Houston, March of Dimes Signature Chefs, November 2017, Kathy Mann, Paul Mann

Kathy Mann, Paul Mann. Photo by Priscilla Dickson Photography
Houston, March of Dimes Signature Chefs, November 2017, Kevin Maples, Alissa Maples

Kevin Maples, Alissa Maples. Photo by Priscilla Dickson Photography
Houston, March of Dimes Signature Chefs, November 2017, Charlie Chaplin impersonator

Guests mingled with a Charlie Chaplin impersonator. Photo by Priscilla Dickson Photography

What: March of Dimes Signature Chefs Gala.

Where: The Corinthian.

The scoop: A 1920s theme set the scene for a swingin’ good time at the gala hosted by Christie and Mark Sullivan and Kathy and Paul Mann.

The cocktail-attire soiree and culinary throwdown, which honored Cora Sueand Harry Mach for their service to the community, attracted more than 450 attendees for an evening of foodie and wine connoisseur fun.

Guests mingled among flappers and a Charlie Chaplin impersonator, sipped on $100 bottomless glasses of champagne for a chance to win sparkling baubles in the Tenenbaum Jewelers “gem pull,” and sampled decadent creations from several celebrated Houston chefs including chef Joe Cervantez (Brennan’s of Houston), who won Best Signature Dish for his shrimp Creole tamale.

Chef Dimitri Voutsinas (Emmaline) was awarded Best Presentation for his salmon Wellington and chef Hilda Ysusi (Broken Barrel) won People’s Choice for her dish of confit potatoes, apricot pork belly, and jicama slaw.

Other participating chefs were James Cole (Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse), Martha DeLeon (Pax Americana), Eduardo Garcia (Nothing Bundt Cakes), Adison Lee (Kuu), Arnoldo Richards (Pico’s), Danny Trace(Potente), Bram Tripp (The Pit Room), and Antoine Ware (Harold’s Restaurant).

Including auction items, from a safari hunting experience at the Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa to a cooking class for 16 led by chef Robert Del Grande, the event raised more than $400,000, for research and programs that support the March of Dimes‘ mission to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.

Who: Gina and Dr. Devinder Bhatia, event emcee and ABC13 reporter and anchor Samica Knight, Milette and Haag Sherman, Susan and Mike Plank, Alissa and Kevin Maples, Marla and Matt Hurley, Matt Harris, Darcie Wells, Ishwaria and Vivek Subbiah, and Stacy and Stephen McNair.