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| Sam Malone, Bob Fuller and Bob Allen (Photo credit: Wiredin.cc) |
Philanthropy took center stage at the 4th Annual “Keels and Wheels Uncorked” event benefiting The Boys & Girls Harbor at the Wynden last Thursday evening. This year’s Honoree, sportscaster Bob Allen, and Master of Ceremonies, Sam Malone, along with 150 guests helped raise more than $26,000 for children and families in crisis while enjoying a variety of classic car inspired gourmet hors d'oeuvres and premium wine.
Five of Houston’s top restaurants created custom dishes and wine to complement a classic vehicle that will be featured in the upcoming Keels & Wheels Concours d’Elegance on May 4 & 5 at the Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook, TX.
Carmelo Mauro of Carmelo’s Ristorante Italiano’s combined a saffron risotto with salmon topped with pineapple sauce and Brunillo di Monalcino 2007 to match a 2007 Ferrari 430 owned by Bryan Baker. Ristorante Cavour Chef Renato de Pirro of Hotel Granduca created a braised oxtail stuffed ravioli with demi-glace and vegetable paired with a light Bandol Rose 2010 to match a 1932 STuTZ Bearcat owned by Richard Mitchell. A 1952 Allard K-2 Race Car, owned by Bob Weiner, was the inspiration for Masraff’s culinary creation of blue potato fish and chips accented with red pepper tartar sauce along with a brandy dessert and a Deep Sea Chardonnay 2008. Uncorked guests also had the pleasure of trying house made brioche toasts with bacon peanut butter spread top with plum preserves and a chocolate banana cake with peanut butter perra cotta paired with Perle d’Arche Sauternes 2005, with the Elvis themed décor from Mark Cox of Mark’s American Cuisine. Ryan Hildebrand of Triniti Restaurant created foie gras bangers and bone barrow mash topped with mushroom mustard gravy , tobacco onion and caviar with a refreshing glass of Perrier-Jouete Belle Epoque 2004 paired with a 1954 Jaguar XK 120 owned by John Osha.
All five restaurants were spotlighted for their creativity and efforts, but generosity took precedence during the live and silent auctions. Top auction items included a $3,000 ride on one of the last airworthy Texas Raider B-17’s, a $1,600 dinner at the Chef’s Table at Carmelo’s Ristorante Italiano, a $1,250 dinner at the Chef’s Table at Triniti Restaurant and a beautiful $1,000 painting created live during the evening by Scott Figuereido. Also on display was the sleek 2013 Mercedes-Benz donated by Alex Rodriguez Mercedes that will be raffled at the May event.
Concours chairman Bob Fuller and his wife Judy joined Mayor of Seabrook Glenn Royal and his wife Diane, Tim Ryan of Banfi Wines, Lakewood Yacht Club’s Commodore Carl Drechsel, Boys and Girls Harbor President Don Sweat, Hotel Granduca’s Mary Grace Gray, Tony Masraff, Russell Masraff, Dennis Debakey, Lavonne Cox, Paula Mott, Bryan Baker, Laura Power, Jim Sweeney, City of Seabrook City Councilmember Gary Johnson and wife, Lisa Johnson.
