2011 Bella Cucina raises funds for outreach programs

Photo: Isaac Rocha and Rania Nasreddine

Isaac Rocha, this year’s chair of Tulsa Ballet’s unique fundraiser, Bella Cucina, reported a successful conclusion to the most anticipated evening of the year. The event, which raises funds for Tulsa Ballet’s artistic and educational programs, is an unparalleled evening of fine dining and fine wines set in some of Tulsa’s most beautiful private homes. With a renewed focus on sponsorships, in addition to individual donors, patron gifts have increased by 40% this year over last year.

According to Isaac, “A chair is only as good as his committee, and I have been blessed with a great group of people to work with.” Committee members are Cheryl Chambers, Pat Chernicky, Rosalie Childs, Rebecca Creal, Becky Dixon, Charlotte Edmundson, Janie Funk, Marcia Harris, Jim McCarthy, Marian McCarthy, Mia Oven, Isaac Rocha, Karen Young and Chris Zollinger.

Hosts and chefs for this year's "The Art of Food" include: Nancy and Bruce Bolzle with Timothy Sean Fitzgerald, Timothy Sean Fitzgerald Catering; Pat Chernicky with Justin Thompson, The Brasserie and Sonoma; Charles Faudree and Bill Carpenter with Terri Fermo, Bohemia Catering; Suzanne and Jim Kneale with Austin Terry, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar; Jackie Kouri and Gary Paxton with Nuhad Farhood, The Cedars Deli & Catering; Mike Krimbill with Hope Egan, Hope’s Table; Robin and Ron LaButti with Candace Conley, The Girl Can Cook; Susan and Lynn Fesperman with Orr Nalp, Just Catering by Orr; Evelyn Hatfield with Seth Smith, Taste Catering; Bob and Carol Skib and Samantha and Tony Henry with Richard Schlosberg, Wolfgang Puck Bistro; Meredith and Oliver Howard with Geoffrey van Glabbeek, Gilcrease Restaurant; Rita and Si Levit with Angie Johnson, Eats 2U Catering; Donna and Jim Ogez with Drew Flatt, D’Novo Lean Gourmet; Betty and Steve Pirnat with Tuck Curren, Biga and The Local Table; Rania Nasreddine and Macy Amatucci with Trula in the Mayo Hotel; Sylvia and Ed Taylor with Devin Levine, Tulsa Convention Center; Paul Woodul with Mandy Parkhurst and Megan Moore, In the Raw.

Sponsors for Bella Cucina include: Jo and Jack Babbitt, The Bama Companies, Margery F. Bird, Hall Estill, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Howard, Suzanne and Jim Kneale, ONEOK, Inc., Lisa Owens and Craig Anderson, Betty and Steve Pirnat, Roy M. "Skip" Teel, Jr., Kathy and Bob West, The Williams Foundation, and The Zarrow Families Foundation. Gourmand Patrons are The Barnett Family Foundation, Irene and Stan Burnstein, Bill Cameron, Patricia Chernicky, Lon Foster and Mary McMahon, Janie and Earl Funk, HoganTaylor, Greg Holt, M.D., Bonnie Klein, Jackie Kouri and Gary Paxton, Laurie Bowen-Krimbill, Robin and Ron LaButti, Marian and Jim McCarthy, Julie and John Nickel, Ludmila and Frank Robson, Tamra and David Sheehan, Max R. Vowell, Mary Wheeler and Spencer Brown, Patricia W. Wheeler, Paul Williams, and Mollie Williford. Gourmet Patrons are Nameplates, Inc. - Colorvue Digital, Hannah and Joe Robson, Summit Bank, and Karen and Carl Young. Foodie Patrons are Lisa and Steve Antry, Linda and John Bates, Rita E. Bell, Leta Bell, India Carter, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Childs, Kathleen Coan, Virginia Cohlmia and Mark Eagan, Laura and Keith Colgan, Penny L. Downing, Jacqui and Roger Haglund, Charles and Gretchen Heinberg, Joan and Bob Hunt, Carol Bailey Kamp, Genny and Kirby Lehman, Leigh Ann Moss and Eric Sherburn, Dennis Neill and John Southard, Oklahoma Surgical Hospital, Janet B. Pagano, Drs. Heather and Andrew Revelis, Francine Ringold, Rich and Cartmill, Inc., Rita and George Singer, Jane B. Sneed, Bob Stewart, Marilyn S. Strange, and Kathy Taylor and Bill Lobeck.

In-kind support was provided by Collins Midtown Liquor, Toni's Flowers, Rick Fortner, Abco Party Rentals and Thirst Wine Merchants. Oklahoma Magazine was the Media Sponsor.

Bella Cucina funds Tulsa Ballet's community outreach programs, which provides cultural and artistic enrichment programs for adults and children, including students in Tulsa Public Schools. Thousands of at-risk children are served through the educational outreach programs Leaps Ahead, Leaps In Motion and Journey Through Dance. Targeted at schools with large populations of students on the free or reduced lunch program, indicating financial need, these programs establish a foundation in arts education for students who might not receive the opportunity elsewhere.