A Sweetheart of a Springtime luncheon at Steak 48!
What do you get when you have a luncheon in the illustrious restaurant, Steak 48, that normally is open only for dinner? You have Springtime in a beautiful room filled with a profusion of yellow and pink roses created by Flowers by Nino and the beauty of many of the city’s most philanthropic women being celebrated for their charitable work as Houston Sweethearts.Â
The Houston Sweetheart Award was started by a group of friends, Anne Carl, Deborah Duncan, Sylvia Forsythe, Kim Moody, Alicia Smith, and myself, thirteen years ago as a way to honor those who serve the community with their time, talent, energy, creativity, resources and most importantly with their love. Serving as hostesses for the luncheon were Houston Sweetheart founders. Deborah Duncan, Kim Moody, Alicia Smith and me. Both Sylvia Forsythe and Anne Carl were traveling.Â
After I, along with Chef Jeff Taylor, introduced and welcomed the past Houston Sweethearts, KHOU’s Great Day Houston star, Deborah Duncan, gave a brief history of the beneficiary of the day, The Mission of Yahweh. The Mission has been sheltering and providing aid to homeless women and children for 62 years. As Duncan explained, “The Mission of Yahweh is truly a unique refuge that not only provides food, clothing, and shelter but is committed to rehabilitating women to become self-sufficient productive members of society.”Â
Savoring the multi-course menu, which included a choice of Petit Filet Mignon, Shetland Island Salmon, and Maryland-style Lump Crab Cakes with a multitude of sides and a mountain of perfection in a dessert, were guests, including past Houston Sweethearts and other distinguished Houstonians:  Betty Hrncir, Sidney Faust, Brigitte Kalai, Lynn Wyatt, Richard Flowers, Merele Yarborough, Charly Gay, Jeff Gremillion, Nini Hale, Rachel Regan, Joanna Marks, Sybil Roos, Betsy Garlinger, Donna Vallone, Monica Hartland, Heidi Parkhurst, Maria Moncada Alaoui, Melissa Murphy, Angie Roberts, Scott Evans, Laurette Veres, Amy Pierce, Lara Bell, Tammie Jeffers, Mary Ann McKeithan and Chris Swanson