Fun Times for Good Causes at Weekend Charity Dinners

The good deed-fueled weekend kicked off Saturday at Oak Forest's watering hole, Cottonwood. Eat for a Cause, a non-profit raising awareness of various causes through food, held its annual event, Q for a Cause. This year's barbecue bash benefited U.S. Vets., an organization that assists Houston’s homeless veterans, and featured an all-star lineup of barbecue kings: John Mueller (John Mueller Meat Co), Ronnie Killen (Killen’s Barbecue), Wes Jurena (Pappa Charlie’s Barbeque) and Neil Strawder (Bigmista’s Barbeque). Bryan Norton chronicled the festivities on his blog, Texas BBQ Treasure Hunt.

Ending on a sweet and savory note, pastry chef Rebecca Masson of the forthcoming Fluff Bake Bar, hosting her final Lucky Dog Rescue charity dinner October 26. The multi-course dinner event took place at Ralph Smith Photography's 5226 Elm. Ben Sassani of the the website Shoot My Chef, captured all the action. Diners noshed on impeccably plated dishes from a who's who of Houston's culinary stars: Patrick Feges, pitmaster at Feges BBQ and Killen's Barbecue; Ryan Lachaine, chef de cuisine at Reef; Seth Siegel-Gardner and Terrance Gallivan, chefs/owners at The Pass & Provisions, and many others from Austin and the East Coast. Guests also imbibed on Hendrick's Gin cocktails from mixologists Robin Berwick and Ryan Rouse, wine pairings from sommelier Antonio Gianola, Saint Arnold brews and Katz Coffee.