Past Matters, Fall 2024, Posted: 10/25/24
A carefully curated menu and keynote address by Texas Monthly’s José Ralat were hallmarks of Tastes of Texas—Along the El Camino Real de los Tejas, hosted by the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center on October 9, 2024. This biennial gala brought together a diverse group of guests sharing a love of history, commitment to historic preservation and an appreciation for the culinary traditions unique to Texas.
Stretching up through the Rio Grande Valley to east Texas, the El Camino and its people provided thematic inspiration. Incorporating the foodways of the indigenous people who first called Texas home, the French and Spanish arriving along Texas shores, the German and Czech immigrants, the enslaved and later Freedom Colony settlers and the cowboys that worked the land and cattle, the FTHC provided guests with Texas history on a plate.
Addresses by Texas Historical Commission Executive Director Joseph Bell, the Honorable John L. Nau, III, and keynote speaker José Ralat highlighted the integral role foodways play in Texas history and culture, and the importance of preserving not just structures and places, but the recipes, memories, and methods that bring food to life. The FTHC was proud to cap the program with a presentation of the Julian Read Award for Philanthropy in Historic Preservation to the Texas Land Title Association.
Of course, the gala would not have been possible without the generosity of our sponsors and underwriters. We were overwhelmed by how quickly Commissioner John L. Nau, III, pledged his support as Culinary Curator, our presenting sponsor for the evening. Komatsu Architecture was both the Cocktail Hour Sponsor and, in memory of Caroline Wright, a Texas Taster. We greatly appreciated Debra and Brian Shivers’ commitment as Chuckwagon Champions and Rowena and Kevin Dasch, G & A, Daniel T. Hodge and Robert D. Miller, Robert Oliver, and Sally Anne Schmidt and Marc Tabolsky as Frontier Foodies. Heritage Harvesters included Commissioner Donna Bahorich, Carter Design Associates (in memory of Caroline Wright), Megan and Aaron Dorfner, Eastland Oil Company and the Donnelly Family, The Gunter Hotel, and Lisa and Tom Perini. We cannot forget our Mesquite Mavens, Amegy Bank, Clay History and Education Services, Inc., Commissioner Renee Dutia, FordMomentum!, Courtney and Clark Hoffman, Latinos in Heritage Conservation, Phoenix 1 Restoration and Construction, LLC., Dini Spheris, Texas Land Title Association and the Zutshi Family. And we would also like to thank the Texas State Historical Association for being Program Sponsor and Luther King Capital Management for being Entertainment Sponsor.
The evening ended with an exuberant and laughter-filled live auction, with bidders vying with one another to win unique experiences alive with Texas history. We would like to acknowledge donations from Anna Kraft Fine Art Portraits, Auntie Pastas, Bullock Texas State History Museum, Caddo Mounds SHS, Casa Navarro SHS, Copano’s, Driskill Hotel, Far Flung Outdoors, First City Café, Fort Griffin SHS, Fort Lancaster and Battlefield SHS, Fort Martin Scott SHS, Fort McKavett SHS, Fredonia Hotel, French Legation SHS, Friends of Caddo Mounds, Friends of San Felipe de Austin SHS, Gage Hotel, Hoffman Haus, Hotel Paisano, Anne and Jeff Hunt, Kalasi Cellars, Landmark Inn SHS, Levi Jordan SHS, Lucy’s Pie & Grill, Chef Adán Medrano, Riverhouse B&B, Monument Inn Restaurant, Museum of the Big Bend, John L. Nau, III, Neill-Cochran House Museum, Old Jail Art Center, Lisa and Tom Perini, San Felipe de Austin SHS, San Jacinto Museum & Battleground SHS, Dr. Bryon Shroeder/Center for Big Bend Studies, Stasney’s Cook Ranch, Pam Wheat Stranahan, Texas Historical Commission, Paramount Theater, Varner-Hogg SHS, Judge John Viertel, Carolyn Vogel and Vogel Orchards, and Washington-on-the-Brazos SHS.
The work of history is complex and costly, and the support of our gala sponsors, donors, friends and guests allows us to the continue in our work to assist the Texas Historical Commission in identifying, researching, documenting, educating and promoting the cultural heritage of Texas. We hope to see you all again at our next gala!