Around the World in 10000 Bites…100 Guests Dine on 100 Courses from 10 Countries

.....plus Bubbles and Baubles, the VIP Evening Before, Made for an Unforgettable Weekend for This City

10000 Bites
August 17th the Houston Museum of Natural Science was the chosen venue for this unique, one-of-a-kind gastronomic experience of a lifetime. All the brainchild of Chef David Skinner, owner of world-renowned restaurant, Eculent, in Kemah, Texas. (Photo by Jack Potts).

This past weekend was a unique experience that I was able to to have a preview of that brought to our city a unique gastronomic experience like no other I have ever witnessed. Around the World in 10,000 Bites was a dinner planned and executed under the direction of Chef David Skinner, of Eculent, at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, that began at 6:00 p.m. and lasted until almost midnight. 100 Guests were served 100 courses of bites, accompanied by carefully matched wines and spirits, each coming out in groups of 10 courses from each of the featured countries. The 10 countries were represented, by course. The 10 nations represented were United States, France, Spain, Italy, Mexico, Brazil, Pakistan, Nicaragua, Japan and the Philippines. The concept by Skinner was “around the world” where he would take each guest’s palate on a journey across these 10 countries. It should be noted that when this five hour dinner had ended Skinner reminded all that each guest had consumed about four pounds of food and each left inspired to look forward to when this amazing evening could possibly happen again!

10000 Bites
David Skinner, is owner, founder and chef at Kemah’s Eculent, a tasting-menu restaurant devoted to stimulating the senses and encouraging an entirely new understanding of food. One of the key participating chefs along with Skinner was David Duarte, molecular gastronomist from Arizona, both pictured above, courtesy of Watita Holt.
10000 bites

Morian Hall of Paleontology at Houston Museum of Natural Science was the place chosen to launch this gastronomical evening where guests were invited to dine amongst the dinosaurs. (photo by Jack Potts)

“Houston and in particular, HMNS gets to be the place to premiere this experience in gastronomy, and it’s hard to beat the surroundings. It will truly be a historic epicurean milestone with over 10,000 bites being served in one seating. And if people are too full to drive, we have a great hotel partner across the street at ZaZa Houston.”

Chef David Skinner

10000 Bites
Approximately 40 chefs from around the globe participated in this food spectacular. (photo by Jack Potts)

Participating chefs included Skinner and Duarte. Also, local chefs David and Michael Cordua, Kaiser Lakshari (Himalaya), Javier Becerra (MAD), and Brandon Silva (Wooster Garden). Other chefs traveling in included Manu Buffara (Manu in Brazil), Aaron Bludorn (Café Bolud,NYC) also opening in Houston next year; Medwin Pang (Hunger Pang,NYC) Luc McCabe (Ontario Canada), Daisue Itagake (Tokyo, Japan), Jason Niederkorn (Palm Springs). Stacey Mullen (Eculent, Kemah, Texas) plus more. It should be noted that there were several women chefs. included…..

Thank heaven long gone are the days when being a professional Chef was a ‘Man’s World’…..after all some of the best food people hunger for is ‘Grandma’s or Mom’s’ recipes……”, says Chef Skinner.

It should also be noted the woman-owned Hollywood TV Production company, helmed by Ruth McCartney, step-sister of Paul McCartney, flew in with her family and partners, her Mom, Angie McCartney and hubby Marty Nethercutt as well as her film crew from L.A. to capture this once in a lifetime event for an upcoming international documentary.

Proceeds from Around the World in 10,000 bites benefits breast cancer research in honor of Skinner’s friend, chef Dominique Crenn, recently diagnosed with breast cancer and James Beard Foundation.

The following are some edited highlights from this spectacular evening……

all photos provided by Jack Potts; Watita Holt

Bubbles and Baubles

Lastly, it was a thrill for me to have been invited by the McCartneys to attend the V.I.P. event the night before the big dinner. How impressive was that! Bubbles and Baubles, presented by David Skinner and all of the Chefs, was a Champagne and Caviar reception in the amazing McFerrin Fabergé Collection wing of the Houston Museum of Natural Science. We were able to meet many of the Chefs for the big event and taste a sampling of many of the courses being featured the next night. The event was sponsored by Sterling Caviar, which was plentiful for all of us to taste by the spoonful while sipping on Voiri Jumel champagne. The Fabergé wing which I have visited a before this evening, never ceases to amaze me with the splendor of the collection. Such a fun evening and great way to meet and mingle with many of the chefs participating in the Saturday night event.

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Alan and I having a great time , along with our friends Peter Remington and Karen Degeurin visiting with the McCartney ladies…..Ruth and her Mom Angie McCartney (photo Roz’s Iphone)

About Roz Pactor

I am a fashion and marketing consultant and blogger based in Houston, Texas. With more than three decades of experience in fashion retailing that has spanned Foley’s, Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale’s NYC, I have earned a reputation for delivering expertise, energy and enthusiasm to my roster of clients. I have remained closely connected with designer women’s fashion as well as the misses, teens, men’s and children’s apparel and accessories markets from coast to coast.

6 thoughts on “Around the World in 10000 Bites…100 Guests Dine on 100 Courses from 10 Countries

  1. Hello Ms. Pactor: I am the owner of the second photo of Chef Skinner and Chef Duarte. Can you please correct that part?

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