The tag team combo of Coach Augie Garrido and Chef David Garrido proved a winning combo at the recent Toast of the Town party. Hosted by Mary and David McCarron at their home, the McCarron’s were joined by fellow hosts Anne and Don Greenway, Angela and Howard Moench, Kathie and Ronny Platt, Sydney Langley and John Patton. Guests arrived at the lakeside home and proceeded to mix and mingle over cocktails. Coach Garrido was eloquent in his comments and Chef Garrido was equally eloquent with his cuisine.

Small wonder that this Toast party is always the first to fill up. First, there is only room for 12. Second, it is in Larry Peel’s wine cellar. Third, it is in Larry Peel’s wine cellar–and fourth, fifth, sixth, and so forth. This gathering is hosted by Deborah and Larry Peel, Meri and Rob Hagelberg (General Manager, Four Seasons Hotel) and the phenomenal Elmar Prambs, Executive Chef of the Four Seasons Hotel. The evening is the very definition of “an experience” as the wine and food are without peer.

Despite the ominous title, “From a Watery Grave,” the tales of La Salle’s La Belle proved to be great fun. Co-author James Bruseth provided a fascinating presentation of La Salle’s journey to the new world in 1686 aboard the La Belle. He missed his intended target, the mouth of the Mississippi River, by a fair piece and ended up in Texas. While he went looking for the river, his crew ended up wrecking the La Belle in  Matagorda Bay. Three hundred and ten years later, James Bruseth found the ship. That story and more kept the guests at Martha and Richard Coons’ house riveted and full of questions. A French themed dinner followed the Q&A. An exhibit at the Bullock Museum (in 2014) will be an opportunity for everyone to enjoy the story–but not the superlative dinner.

It was a good thing that guests arrived at the home of Melanie and Charlie Jones with an appetite because Chef Tim Love was in full cooking mode. Weather had been a threat earlier, but cleared by party time to treat all attending with a spectacular sunset. “Spectacular” was a word in frequent usage during the 5 course dinner. It all began with an artichoke carpaccio, salmon and halibut paired with a Bollinger Grand Annee Brut 2002 (selected by Master Sommelier Devon Broglie). It was followed by grilled ramps and a kale salad with a Riffault Sancerre Les Boucauds 2011. Then came a deluge of meat dishes from a chef whose license plate reads “carne.” There was brisket, elk, pork chops, lamb belly, and gnocchi with a rabitt-rattlesnake-fennel ragu. Broglie paired these with a Ponzi Reserve Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2009 and a Fontanafredda Serralunga D’Alba Barolo 2007. Also, from a chef famous for his meat dishes, there was a phenomenal smoked squash with a chile honey, grilled asparagus and smoked potato puree.

By this time, it was close to impossible to push away from the table–which worked out just fine as Pastry Chef Philip Speer of Uchi had been working some magic with dry ice, a blow torch and a ton of imagination to create a Bananas Tres Leches Sphere. Entirely too beautiful and tasty to say “no” to as it was placed in front of guests.

This extraordinary evening was hosted by Melanie and Charlie Jones, Emilie and Tim Love, Jesse Herman with special guest Devon Broglie.

As Toast parties go, Fu-Sion was the perfect blend of: Venue–the home of Greg Hurd and Stephanie Nick; Weather–perfect temperature for pool-side dining; Food–by Uchiko that was so pretty that you felt guilty chewing it up (but went back for seconds!); Wine–by two small wineries, Reprise and Gemstone; Music–lovely vocals by Christine Butterfield and keyboard by Rich Harney; Cause–raising funds for scholarships.

An absolutely wonderful evening that folks enjoyed well past the appointed hour of conclusion!

Guests at the “Bye, bye Bernie” Toast of the Town party came perilously close to perishing from laughter as they were regaled with tales from the famous East Texas trial and movie. Special guests Director Richard Linklater, Prosecuting Attorney Danny Buck Davidson and actress Kay McConaughey had the audience in stitches with their personal observations of the trial of the decade. Very special thanks go to Diane and Danny Buck Davidson for making the long journey from East Texas to be present.

Ruthie and Gene Burrus were very kind to open their home with its spectacular view of downtown Austin for the occasion. They were joined by fellow hosts: Jennene and Ray Mashburn; Anita and Earl Maxwell; Mary Scott Nabers; Gai and Gerry Newkirk; Catherine and Kyle Parks; Sharon Schweitzer Robinson and John Robinson; Kathy and Randy Taylor; Diane and Jerry Turner; Terry and Jim Whorton and Cindy and Scott Wilson.

St. David’s Foundation CEO Earl Maxwell has called Toast of the Town parties “experiences” rather than events. That was absolutely the case when Toast visited the Wittliff Collections at Texas State University. Event hosts President Denise Trauth and Dr. John Huffman joined special guests Sally and Bill Wittliff in greeting guests. The current exhibit of Kate Breakey’s work drew a lot of attention–but the tour of the museum with commentary by Bill Wittliff was simply priceless. As a screenwriter and producer of the Lonesome Dove mini-series, Bill has a wealth of stories from initial concept to final product. His stories alone could make another mini-series.

After reluctantly leaving the museum, guests discovered quite a bonus in dinner at the President’s House. Although the menu stayed in the trail drive theme, it was far above what might be thought of as chuck-wagon cuisine.

The eagerly anticipated Toast of the Town has begun. For 2013, Toast will offer 20 parties at 20 venues with 20 different themes. Susan Hackney led the committee with an assist by Vice Chair Dinah Street in assembling this wealth of delight to benefit the St. David’s Neal Kocurek Scholarship.

The fun began with Bella Toscana at the Oasis at the home of Beau Theriot. Special guests Peter Bay and Sarajane Dailey joined hosts Deb and Tom Feo, Lorrie and John Groover, Julie and Shawn Mack, Ann and Hector Morales, Karin and Sonny Morgan, Gail Page, Venus and Bill Strawn, Felicia Teel and Craig Hester, Teresa and Jim Tracey and Beau Theriot for a superlative evening on the veranda overlooking Lake Travis. The sun set long before this party did!

Friends and fans of the People’s Community Clinic stress-tested the ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel at the annual “No Such Thing as a Free Lunch.” An absolutely packed together crowd was on hand to support the mission of the Clinic and salute honorees Senator Ray Farabee and the late Mary Margaret Farabee. Evan Smith did his usuall superb job as emcee in moving the program along with appropriate kudos to Event Co-Chairs Karen Burgess and Julia Howry. It all added up to a record setting total of more than $400,000!

Intake area

Clearing out your closet? Downsizing? Redecorating? The Settlement Home for Children wants those items you no longer love or want for the 38th Annual Settlement Home Charity Garage Sale. We are looking for new or gently used clothing, shoes, books, toys, furniture, art, electronics and more. These items will be sold at our Charity Garage Sale, November 1-3. (Please no broken/stained items or hazardous materials.)

Drop your items off at our warehouse on Mondays from 9 a.m. to noon at 1600 Payton Gin Road, 78758, or arrange for a pick up at your house by calling 448-5302. All proceeds from the Charity Garage Sale support The Settlement Home for Children, a non-profit that promotes healing and growth in children, young adults and families by providing a continuum of care, support and resources. The 2012 Garage Sale raised $625,000 for The Home. More information at www.settlementhome.org.