European Royalty Graces the Bayou City for a Star-Studded Inaugural Awards Gala
Her Majesty Queen Sofía of Spain graced the Bayou City recently by attending the inaugural Texas gala, which recognized the 2023 Sophia Awards for Excellence at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. The Queen Sofía Spanish Institute (QSSI) was founded almost seventy years ago in New York City and continues to promote American interest in the art, culture, customs, language, literature and history of Spain and the Spanish-speaking world.
Her Majesty was welcomed into the auspicious gathering by MFAH Director Gary Tinterow, Houston’s Spanish Consul General Julia Olmo, QSSI President & CEO David Askren, Executive Director Begonia Santos, and Gala Chair and QSSI Board Trustee Dixie Deluca.
The evening honored four remarkable leaders in their respective fields who have contributed to the international appreciation of Spain and the Americas through their time, expertise and innate wisdom—Sophia means “wisdom” in Greek. The award recipients included eight-time Grammy Award-winning Cuban-American singer, songwriter, author, actress and businesswoman Gloria Estefan and her music producer, manager and husband Emilio Estefan, credited with paving the way for the crossover explosion of Latin music; MFAH Wortham Curator of Latin American Art and founding Director of the International Center for the Arts of the Americas, Mari Carmen Ramírez, named one of “the 25 Most Influential Hispanics in America” in 2005 by TIME magazine; and Tricon Energy Founder and CEO Ignacio Torras, longtime Houston arts patron and owner of the acclaimed Spanish restaurants BCN Taste & Tradition and MAD.
The Events Company was tasked with creating an ornate ambiance for the dinner experience and succeeded magníficamente. A multi-course dinner from MAD and BCN Taste & Tradition was followed by a custom dessert created especially by Michelin-starred Spanish Pastry Chef Jordi Roca from Rocambolesc USA Gelateria.
All in attendance agreed that all involved in this exquisite evening deserved Bravos and Felicidades!
Socially present (not previously mentioned): Honorary Chair Isabel Stude Lummis and husband Ransom Lummis, María Luisa Cánovas and Carmen Reviriego, Spanish Ambassador to the United States, Santiago Cabanas, QSSI Houston Friends Chair The Honorable Joanne King Herring, fellow Host Committee members Ann Bookout, Janis Burke, Frances Moody Buzbee, Paula Gilmer DesRoches, Anne Duncan, Princess Tatiana Galitzine, Celina Hellmund, Maha Khan, Hannah McNair, Lizzie Sullivan, Melissa Sandefer, Libbie Masterson, Phoebe Tudor and Margaret Alkek Williams, and Lynn Wyatt, Cal McNair, Bobby Tudor, David Leebron & Y. Ping Sun, Bernard “Bun B” Freeman & Angela “Queenie” Walls, Jim & Whitney Crane, Cynthia Petrello, Craig Biggio, Jim & Molly Crownover, Albert & Anne Chao, Jennifer & Gary Nader, Tiffany Masterson, Lady Penny Mountbatten and Rice University President Reginald DesRoches
