A Taste of Things to Come Episode 3 - Underbelly Takeover, 2011 Westheimer Legacies
Past and current culinarians of the Underbelly kitchen reunite to raise funds for well-woman exams for uninsured female patients of Legacy Community Health. Chef Erin Smith of Feges BBQ, Chef de partie Madalyn Lester and Pastry Director Victoria Dearmond team up to present a three-course dinner at their common stomping ground. The locally sourced, sustainably produced flavors will reflect our city's diversity and a community connection, in keeping with the growing legacy of this landmark Houston restaurant.
ABOUT THE BENEFICIARY
Last fiscal year, Legacy Community Health provided 10,444 preventative medicine visits for women, and delivers over 500 babies per month through its obstetrics program.
ABOUT THE CULINARY TALENT PRESENTING THIS EVENT
Erin Smith
Chef Erin Smith is a native Houstonian, albeit seasoned by San Francisco (culinary school), NYC (Babbo), and the TV stage of Chopped, which she won in 2016. She received widespread acclaim as the chef of Main Kitchen at the JW Marriott and Plonk! Bistro. After nurturing a love of wine with a front-of-house stint at Camerata, Chef Erin is preparing to open Feges BBQ with her husband Patrick. She is proud to be a founding chef for I’ll Have What She’s Having. As an undergraduate, Erin considered a career in medicine, so she sees the women’s health care justice goals central to IHWSH as a perfect fit.
Madalyn Lester
Chef de partie Madalyn Lester credits her undergraduate courses in social work as the foundation for her passion for community causes and I’ll Have What She’s Having. With no culinary training, she was hired at the Hay Merchant in 2014 but soon moved to the line at Underbelly, where she’s been ever since. Madalyn credits Chef Chris Shepherd as well as her current and past fellow line cooks for their mentorship, fostering her passion and achievements. “Every day I strive to learn something new, or change how I did something the day before…perfecting the details.” She’s looking forward to her new position at Nancy’s Hustle, a soon-to-open EaDo wine bar serving globally inspired cuisine.
Victoria Dearmond
Chef Victoria Dearmond of Lake Jackson, a graduate from Le Cordon Bleu in Austin, is the reason we all depart Underbelly and One-Fifth gluttonously full – none of us can resist just one more bite of the pie. She has been a member of the Underbelly team since the restaurant opened in March 2012 and is the genius behind the dessert menus and bread programs at both houses. Promoted to sous chef in 2015, Chef Victoria was named Culture Map’s Pastry Chef of the Year for 2017. In her spare time, she confesses that she is planning her next dish, which we’ll all undoubtedly find irresistible. More pie, please.
Date: November 05, 2017 6:30 PM-9:00 PM
Location: Underbelly | 1100 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX
Event website: bit.ly
