With a common goal of helping others, the guests were once again dazzled by a fabulous culinary extravaganza adorned by a team of six renowned celebrity chefs representing fine restaurants from the Houston and Woodlands area.

The chefs, who have ranked in the top ten in Houston, Dallas or top 100 chefs in the U.S, included Chef Mark Cox of MARK'S American Cuisine, Chef Olivier Ciesielski of Tony's, Chef Charles Clark of Ibiza Food and Wine Bar, Chef Kent Rathbun of JASPER'S, Chef Bryan Caswell of REEF and Amerigo's Grille's own Chef Arturo Osorio.

The energy filled the room as the illustrious Ralph McIngvale emceed a live auction of top-notch packages while guests were wined and dined with six incredible courses each paired with fine wines, all personally created and selected by the team of remarkable chefs.
"We were extremely appreciative of the level of support that returned from these outstanding chefs and our special guests for the second annual event as we sought to raise funds which in turn impact many worthy causes," said Robert Marling, President of the Woodforest Charitable Foundation. "With the help of our friends, customers, vendors and employees of Woodforest National Bank, the Woodforest Charitable Foundation is certainly delivering on its promise of making a positive impact on the lives of others."

Notable guests included head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, Avery Johnson, and his wife Cassandra; Houston Rockets' CEO Tad Brown and his wife, Janice; Gerald and Candi Glenn; Jim and Nelda Blair; Dr. Vincent and Yvette Aquino; Dr. David and Brenda Gottlieb; Michael and Vicki Richmond; Dr. Guy Lewis; Debbie Sukin; Dr. Mark and Marissa Mettauer, Mike and Cindy Gatewood, Dr. Lloyd and Jacque Everson; and Dr. Ann Snyder.

With 146 in attendance, this select group of caring individuals opened their hearts to surpass last year's $323,000 raised to bring this year's tally up to $460,000!

This year, the deserving charities to benefit from The Foundation's event include the Boy's & Girls Country, The Community Clinic, Interfaith of The Woodlands, Montgomery County Women's Shelter, Montgomery County Youth Services, North Channel Assistance Ministries, Operation Grateful Nation and Texas New Community Alliance (New Danville).

Unique to this fundraiser, the Foundation and Woodforest National Bank underwrote the expense of the dinner event and the administrative costs, allowing for 100 percent of the evening's ticket sales to directly benefit charity. Through Charity Selection cards, the Foundation offered guests the opportunity to direct their contribution to one of the evenings pre-selected charities as well as to be in attendance at the presentation of the gift.

Kim Marling, Vice President of Woodforest Charitable Foundation, added, "This year's Connoisseurs for Charity evening was another tremendous success. We are excited about the momentum that is building, and we look forward to contributing to the various charities throughout the next year and beyond. Woodforest Charitable Foundation is proudly administering a legacy of giving, which in turn enriches the very communities in which we live by touching the lives of others who are truly in need and providing the hope and possibility of a brighter tomorrow."

Among the highly-coveted and luxurious live auction items were: a Run of the Roses Kentucky Derby trip for eight complete with a private Challenger jet and private limo transportation to Churchill Downs with premium seating; an Ultimate NBA Package with four tickets to the 57 NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans Arena complemented with airfare and a private suite for 12 when the Houston Rockets take on the Dallas Mavericks; two tickets to the Super Bowl XLII with two nights hotel accommodations and first class airfare plus a golf game for two on pre-game day; two tickets to the 2007 World Series games 1 and 2, including airfare; a golf tournament for 48 players at Woodforest Golf Club at Fish Creek; and four front orchestra seats to Celine Dion's A New Day show in Las Vegas, highlighted by a dinner prepared by Chef Michael Mina at MICHAEL MINA Bellagio, as well as first class airfare and two suites at the Wynn hotel.

But the evening's surprises did not end there! At the completion of the meal, the celebrity chefs emerged in a spotlight to not only take a bow, but to offer yet another auction item. The final prize was a private dinner for 36 prepared by all five chefs in the winning bidder's home.
Woodforest Charitable Foundation is creating a legacy of commitment and support to those in need, enriching lives and communities through dedicated leadership and faithful administration by providing funding to qualifying 501(c)(3) charities. Created by Woodforest National Bank, the Foundation is a continuation of the bank's long-term commitment and culture of giving back to its communities. The bank has generously gifted the Foundation with $2 million in endowments and continues to be the Foundation's major contributor through the many fund raising events by its employees. With the goal of ensuring its charitable giving, the Woodforest Charitable Foundation enriches lives and communities.

For additional information regarding The Woodforest Charitable Foundation, call 832-375-CARE (2273) or visit the foundation's Web site at www.woodforestcharitablefoundation.org.