Celeb chef fundraisers

[LauraMc]

Has anyone ever been to a fund raiser alone where you don't know anyone? Anthony Bourdain is hosting a wine dinner in The Woodlands where my nephew is chef in November. It's $250 and they are selling 200 tickets. The restaurant will be open downstairs and he's going to do a booksigning after the private dinner. The price is to high for my sisters but I'm willing to fork out the dough. I don't know anyone who will be there but I'm so proud my nephew will be with one of my favorite celeb chefs that I want to go. I would think they will seat me at a table with others since the space is limited. I think I'm talking myself into this.

[justagirl]

I tend to go solo to a lot of events, but around here it's just different, it's such a small town there's bound to be someone I know. I don't know about where you are going though. But I'm sure they will seat you with a group of people and hopefully they'll be nice and fun. I'd go. When you call to reserve your spot, you could inquire as to the seating of the event. Maybe you'll get someone who's well informed.

[Isabella Maja]

Laura, when I was in Dallas during the thing I went to a Ladies Luncheon for Breast Cancer. A chef friend from N.O. who also evacuated there was supposed to go, she loved the speaker & I was just tagging along for a good cause.

My friend got sick & I went alone. I have no problem with going anywhere alone, but figured I'd make some new friends while I was there. These ladies who were in attendance & at my table were definitely not interested (there were 8 total). That's one thing I noticed in Dallas is a general (and this is a blanket statement) disinterest in being "engaged" with people you don't know. Interesting.

Houston is friendlier. Foodies are friendlier too! I would not pass it up if you want to go. Couldn't your nephew seat you at a table with some interesting folks? Likely it will be group seating.

BTW, when is it?

[Titchou]

Laura, I've done it. Oddly enough, I ran across one person I knew. I also was seated at the table of the ex husband of one of my sorority sisters! I had never met him but knew the story of the divorce and his new trophy wife. I was a good girl and kept mouth shut during the dinner so he never knew that I knew who he was. (I know, it's rare that I can hold my tongue in check but i did manage it that night!)

Go and have fun! I did.

[LauraMc]

It's Nov. 20th, the Thursday before Thanksgiving.

http://www.thewoodlands.net/evps/evitem.cfm?ID=2368

I think I'm going to go. I'm one of those people who loves to meet people but unless they are engaging, I'm not either. I am sure as soon as I say my nephew is the chef someone will be engaged. I'll tell Brian to make sure I get seated with someone interesting. I read a blog that said Bourdain really interacts with everyone at these things, too.
Kent Rathbun who is the executive chef for Jaspers and Abacus will also be there. My nephew has been his head chef at Japsers in The Woodlands for a few years but I haven't met him yet either.The Rathbun brothers are the big guys who beat Bobby Flay on Iron Chef America.

[Isabella Maja]

Laura, go! If I had the spare $ I'd go with you!

But I just thought of our mutual friend who is a Houston Foodie that you could ask to join you! PM me if you need her contact info. I'm sure you have it.
I think she'd love it!