Culinary Extravaganza Raises Funds for Arc of Katy
When they said “too many cooks spoil the broth,” they were not talking about Green Beans and Guacamole’s recent Culinary Extravaganza held at The Wynden. Nine of Houston’s top chefs and restaurants featured in the cookbook gathered together to create a spectacular dinner in support of local nonprofits, Friends for Good, and the ARC of Katy and Houston. The Green Beans and Guacamole cookbook was recently featured in the Winter 2011/2012 issue of Katy Magazine. View the article by visiting www.katymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/Katy-Texas-Green-Beans-Guacamole-Cookbook-Katy-TX.pdf.
Over 75 people attended the Culinary Extravaganza, including HEB President Scott McClelland and his wife Soraya, to help Friends for Good raise over $25,000 for the ARC of Houston and Katy. Guests enjoyed an eight-course dinner provided by Chef Kiran Verma of Kiran’s Restaurant and Bar, Chef Heath Windle of Slow Dough, Chef Renato di Pirro of Ristorante Cavour, Chef Abbas Hussein of Sorrento’s, Chef John Sheely of Mockingbird Bistro, Chef David Denis of Le Mistral, Chef Soren Pedersen of Sorrel Urban Bistro and Ray’s Gourmet Country, Chef Dominic Juarez of Masraff’s, and Chef Randy Evans of Haven.
“We are so thrilled to have had the opportunity to host this dinner,” says Corky Hillhouse, co-chair for the event and husband of Belinda Hillhouse, founder of Friends for Good. “It was an amazing effort on everyone’s part, from the chefs and their wonderful restaurants to friends and guests who came out to support an ‘outstandable’ cause. We cannot thank everyone enough for such a wonderful night.” ‘Outstandable’ is a term coined by Austin Hanson, Belinda’s son and a lifelong member of the ARC of Katy.
Hanson, the inspiration for the cookbook, was the star of the night as he made sure not to be left out of any of the action! First he donned an apron and stood side by side the chefs, helping them prepare each of their courses. He then joined the wait staff and helped serve the plates to the guests throughout the dinner.
Hanson also had a hand in the live auction! Wearing matching suits from M Penner, Hanson joined McClelland, who played auctioneer for the evening, up front as he auctioned off three culinary items. The live auction raised a total of $8,800, all of which will go towards the ARC of Houston and Katy.
Green Beans and Guacamole’s mission goes beyond bringing exclusive Houston restaurant recipes to dinner tables throughout homes; it also feeds the hope that the ARC of Houston and Katy provide to countless children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
About Friends for Good
Founded in 2009 by Belinda Hillhouse, Friends for Good is a nonprofit 501c3 organization dedicated to enhancing lives by supporting and promoting charitable deeds through networking and word-of-mouth efforts.
The all-volunteer board-of-directors of Friends for Good includes Shelly deZavallos, Belinda Hillhouse, and Laurie McNay, who are collectively responsible for planning and carrying out the organization’s projects, including Green Beans and Guacamole.
About The ARC
The ARC of Greater Houston and Katy is a nonprofit organization serving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The ARC promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.
