Keels and Wheels

The 4th Annual Keels & Wheels Uncorked event featuring a silent auction benefiting The Boys and Girls Harbor which helps children and families in crisis, gathered a great crowd with Master of Ceremonies Sam Malone and this year’s Honoree, sportscaster Bob Allen, at the Wynden on Post Oak. Guests were treated to a rare display of fine automobiles, each paired with car-inspired hors d’oeuvres by Houston’s top chefs, and a selection of premium wines.

The vehicles ranged from the modern to the classic to the eclectic, and the food was equally varied. The first tasting was from Hotel Granduca’s Chef Renato de Pirro, who served braised oxtail stuffed ravioli with demi-glace, and vegetables paired with a light Bandol Rose 2010. The dish was made to match a 1932 STuTZ Bearcat owned by Richard Mitchell. Next was Chef Carmelo Mauro of Carmelo’s Ristorante who created a saffron risotto and salmon with pineapple sauce, combined with a Brunillo di Monalcino 2007, all inspired by a 2007 Ferrari 430 owned by Bryan Baker.

Some of the more imaginative tastes came from Chef Marx Cox of Mark’s American Cuisine, house made brioche toast with bacon peanut butter spread topped with plum preserves and a chocolate banana cake with peanut butter perra cotta, were inspired by an Elvis themed car and paired with Perle d’Arche Sauternes 2005. A 1954 Jaguar XK 120 owned by John Osha, was the inspiration for Triniti Restaurant’s Chef Ryan Hildebrand, who created foie gras bangers and bone barrow mash topped with mushroom mustard gravy, tobacco onion, and caviar, paired with Perrier-Jouete Belle Epoque 2004. Finally, Bob Weiner‘s 1952 Allard K-2 Racer helped Masaraff’s chef create a blue potato fish and chips accented with red pepper tartar sauce combined with a brandy dessert which was accompanied by a Deep Sea Chardonnay 2008.

Live and silent auctions helped raise over $26,000 for the Boys and Girls Harbor. Auctioned items included a ride in a Texas Raider B-17 aircraft for $3000, and dinners at the Chef’s tables at both Triniti’s Restaurant for $1600, and Carmelo’s Restorante Italiano for $1250. Artist Scott Figuereido offered a painting created live for guests for $1000 and a 2013 Mercedes-Benzthat, that will be raffled at the upcoming Keels and Wheels Concours d’Elegance at the Lakewood Yacht Club, was donated by Alex Rodriguez Mercedes.

Notable guests included Concours chairman Bob Fuller and his wife Judy joined by Mayor of Seabrook Glenn Royal and his wife Diane, Tim Ryan of Banfi Wines, Lakewood Yacht Club’s Commodore Carl Drechsel, Boys and Girls Harbor President Don Sweat, Hotel Granduca’s Mary Grace Gray, Tony Masraff, Russell Masraff, Dennis Debakey, Lavonne Cox, Paula Mott, Bryan Baker, Laura Power, Jim Sweeney, City of Seabrook City Councilmember Gary Johnson and wife Lisa Johnson.