With the coming of a new year come new promises. Yes, it is the resolution-making month again, and you know what that means: Time to break those nuisance promises you never really wanted to make in the first place. And on that note, if over-indulging in luxurious foods and wine is on your list of habits to retain, why not take a look at the second annual Houston Truffle Chef Charity Challenge?
The event, presented by truffle importer DR DELICACY, will host its second annual Truffle Challenge this coming Monday, January 11, at 6 pm at The Astorian (2500 Summer Street). Some 20 Houston chefs will each create a competing truffle dish for 400 guests to taste as they sip fine wines and make their way through the walk-around event. Chefs will be competing for three prizes:
1st Place – Trophy and 1kg of fresh black truffles ($1500 value)
1st Runner Up – Trophy and 500gr of fresh black truffles ($750 value)
2nd Runner Up – Trophy and 250gr of fresh black truffles ($375 value)
Last year executive chef David Cordúa (Cordúa Restaurants) took home first place with his creative take on a Twinkie – brioche filled with mascarpone egg cream topped with shaved black truffle. Cordúa will be stepping in as a judge this year, along with My Table‘s very own editor/publisher Teresa Byrne-Dodge and other prominent chefs and media.
All proceeds from the event will benefit Les Dames d’Escoffier Scholarship Program to help support students in the culinary arts.
Here’s a look at this year’s participating chefs:
Efisio Farris – Arcodoro
Arturo Boada – Arturo Boada Cuisine
Ben Berg & Tommy Elbashary – B&B Butchers
Luis Roger – BCN Taste & Traditions
Danny Trace – Brennan’s
Darla Lexington & Brandon Lampert – Corner Table
Mike McElroy – Durham House
David Skinner – Eculent
Philippe Verpiand – Etoile
Enrico Glaudo – Ristorante Cavour at Granduca Hotel
Manabu Horiuchi – Kata Robata
David Denis – Le Mistral
Maurizio Ferrarese – Quattro at Four Seasons
Robert Del Grande & Elliott Kelly – RDG + Bar Annie
Monica Pope – Sparrow
Manuel Pucha – La Table
Michael Pellegrino – The Tasting Room, Añejo
Ryan Hildebrand – Triniti
Jason Grigar – Urban Eats
Richard Kaplan – Weights + Measures
HERE’S YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A PAIR OF VIP TICKETS (VALUED AT $500)!
Share with us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter why you and a friend deserve the tickets, and be sure to tag them in your entry. We’re drawing a winner this Sunday afternoon at 5pm.
VIP tickets include:
– Event admission at 5 pm
– Reserved seating area
– Commemorative Champagne glass
– Private Champagne bar
– Private caviar station
– Taste of 20 truffle dishes from top Houston restaurants
– 1 vote for People’s Choice Award for Best Dish
– Complimentary wine bar
– Chocolate station
– Complimentary valet parking
Want to know more about truffles? Check out these blog posts from DR DELICACY.
– How to Store Fresh Truffles
– Top Black Truffle Wine Pairings