Houston's Annual American Cancer Society Corks and Forks Event Kicks Off at Luxe Hotel Granduca, Honoring Underwriters, Honorees and Chairs

HOUSTON, May 27, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Houston's fourth annual Corks and Forks fundraiser, hosted by the American Cancer Society, started with an elegant evening poolside last Thursday night at the acclaimed Hotel Granduca in Uptown Park. Thanks to the dedication of the American Cancer Society committee and the generosity of Hotel Granduca owners Cathy and Giorgio Borlenghi and their son Alex, the kickoff was a huge success.

Corks and Forks is an annual fundraiser that aims to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Through funding research, sharing expert information, supporting patients, and spreading the word about prevention, the American Cancer Society is on a mission to free the world from cancer. As part of the American Cancer Society's fundraising efforts, Houston's Corks and Forks is a one-of-a-kind evening featuring a culinary competition between top Houston chefs, along with delicious food and wine tastings, live music, auctions and more.

The event promises to be a lively evening—and will take place on October 3rd, 2019 at the Ballroom at Bayou Place in Houston's Theater District.This year's Corks and Forks will honor both Shelby Hodge and Shafik Rifaat—influential members of the Houston social community who have been affected by cancer. There will be a Special Recognition Award to VICTORY Houston, a volunteer organization of the American Cancer Society, for their dedicated efforts since 1987 to raise funds to help end cancer.

This year's kickoff event was a great success, celebrating Corks and Forks sponsors, chairs and honorees, including honorees Shelby Hodge and Shafik Rifaat, Event Chair Mary Grace Gray, American Cancer Society's Distinguished Events Manager Tiziana Triolo, Committee Chair's Tracy Cleckler, Sharon Staley, Gabriela Dror and Sherri Zucker. Sponsors and supporters included Claire Glassell, Elizabeth and Alan Stein, Dr. Fabio Triolo, Cynthia and Bucky Allshouse, Channing Allshouse, Holly Moore, Donna and Tony Vallone,John Daugherty, Cheri Fama, Hector Villarreal, Margaret Alkek Williams, Diane Lokey Farb, Harriet Gertner, Renee and Alan Helfman, Brad and Joanna Marks, Mary Ann and David McKeithan, Susan and Mark Ryan, Leslie Rogers, Karen Peltz, Jennifer Friedmann and Katherine Pulse, Valery and Bill Meek, Jerre Parson Williams and Dennis Williams, Tammie Anne Johnson, Anil Motwani, Hirra Kahn and Daniele Muratori.

Additionally, the evening boasted authentic Italian cuisine from Hotel Granduca's Ristorante Cavour Executive Chef Maurizio Ferrarese, as it teased the October event's impressive list of restaurants. Along with Ristorante Cavour, Amalfi , Toulouse, Steak 48, Uchi, Le Colonial and Bisou are just a few of the many restaurants that will be serving this year's distinguished guests.

To learn more about this year's Houston Corks and Forks Event, or to purchase tickets, visit houstoncorksandforks.org.

About Houston Corks and Forks

Houston Corks and Forks is a fundraising event hosted by the American Cancer
Society. This one-of-a-kind evening to be held on October 3rd, 2019, will feature a culinary competition among some of Houston's top chefs. Guests will enjoy delicious food tastings paired with fine wines as they watch chefs show-off their culinary skills. Throughout the evening, guests will cast votes for their favorite chef and our emcee will announce the winner of the highly sought-after Culinary Crown at the conclusion of the event. Guests will also enjoy live music, spectacular live and silent auctions, and much more. The goal of the evening is to raise critical funds to support the American Cancer Society's continued mission to eliminate cancer as a major health concern. To learn more, visit houstoncorksandforks.org.

SOURCE Houston Corks and Forks