Here is the latest “dish” on the Houston area social scene: The Woodforest Charitable Foundation hosted its Connoisseurs of Charity event last weekend in The Woodlands, kicking off the fall social season with not just a bang, but with serious bucks!

Held at Amerigo’s Grille in The Woodlands, the culinary extravaganza delighted the palate of attendees with food and wines selected by five renowned Houston chefs. Each chef, including Ibiza Food and Wine Bar’s Charles Clark, Jasper’s Kent Rathbun, BANK Jean-Georges’ Bryan Caswell, MARK’s American Cuisine’s Mark Cox and Amerigo’s Grille’s Arturo Osorio prepared their specialty as one of five delectable courses. As each course was served, videos of the chefs cooking in their kitchen showed a behind-the-scenes view of their skills and savoir faire.

“We were excited to bring together these great chefs to entertain our guests for a worth cause. With the help of our friends, supporters and employees of Woodforest National Bank, the Woodforest Charitable Foundation offers the promise of making a difference in the lives of others,” stated Robert Marling, co-founder of the Woodforest Charitable Foundation.

Guests such as Houston Rockets’ Senior VP Tad Brown and wife, Janis, State Senator Tommy Williams and wife, Marsha, and Dallas Mavericks head coach Avery Johnson and wife, Cassandra, mingled with Foundation board members Robert and Kim Marling, Vicki Richmond and husband, Michael, and Dr. David Gottlieb and wife, Brenda, celebrating the Woodforest Charitable Foundation’s significant successes and toasting its flourishing future.

With its live luxury auction, The Woodforest Charitable Foundation raised over $300,000. Ralph McIngvale called the auction, prompting guests including Jim and Nelda Blair, Mike and Suzanne Rose, Gerald and Candi Glenn, Dr. Guy Lewis and wife, Holly, and Barry and Cindy Donoho of Donoho’s Jewelry to bid on four incredible items. A trip to Aspen, Colorado, complete with travel on a private Challenger jet, a private chef, and a stay at a private nine-acre estate; premier tickets and travel for eight aboard a private Challenger jet to the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs; a private golf tournament for 48 at the Steve Elkington-designed Woodforest Golf Club at Fish Creek; and tickets to the 2007 NBA All-Star Game in Las Vegas, including four First Class tickets on Continental Airlines, wowed the audience.

But the evening’s surprises did not end there. At the completion of the meal, the evening’s chefs emerged not to take a bow, but to offer yet another auction item. The final prize, a private dinner for 30 prepared by all five chefs, alone raised an impressive $100,000 for charity.

It was, indeed, an evening of innovation befitting a foundation created by Woodforest National Bank. Unique to this fund-raiser and this foundation, the foundation underwrote the costs of the dinner event and Woodforest National Bank underwrote the administrative costs, allowing for 100 percent of the evening’s ticket sales to benefit the charity. With “Charity Selection” cards, the foundation offered guests the opportunity to direct and present their contribution to either the Montgomery County Women’s Shelter, South County Community Clinic, Interfaith of The Woodlands, Texas New Community Alliance or the North Channel Assistance Ministries.

With its celebrated chefs and remarkable menu, its innovative format and inspired fund-raising, “Connoisseurs of Charity” truly was corporate philanthropy at its best.

The Woodforest Charitable Foundation was established in The Woodlands in 2005 through a $1,000,000 endowment from Woodforest National Bank, and has since been supported by the bank’s additional gift of $1,000,000 in 2007. By providing funding to qualifying charities, the foundation will create a legacy of dedicated leadership and faithful administration.  With the goal of ensuring its charitable giving, the Woodforest Charitable Foundation will enrich lives and communities.

For additional information regarding the Woodforest Charitable Foundation, visit www.woodforestcharitablefoundation.org.