Texas Children’s Duncan Neurological Research Institute's Once Upon a Time at Amrina

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Texas Children’s Duncan Neurological Research Institute (Duncan NRI) brought together generous supporters and enthusiastic members of the community for a “Once Upon a Time” event at Amrina, benefiting the Duncan NRI’s work to radically change lives.

Over 115 guests gathered to dine and enjoy a specially curated menu complete with carefully chosen wine pairings by Food Network’s Chopped Champion and head chef at Amrina, Chef Jassi Bindra. The magnificent backdrop Amrina provides proved to be the perfect setting for an evening full of good food, drink and bountiful giving.

The evening was chaired by longtime supporters of the Duncan NRI, Barbara and Mike Feigin. Amrina proprietors, Nav and Surpreet Singh and Preet Singh, joined the celebration, enjoying their inaugural restaurant concept with their guests. Attendees heard heartfelt remarks from Debbie Sukin, President of Texas Children’s Hospital, and Dr. Huda Zoghbi, Founding Director of Texas Children’s Duncan NRI. Through generous donations and exciting live auctions, the evening was a grand success, raising over $410,000 for the Duncan NRI. Will Murphy served as auctioneer for the three live auction items of the night: a drink auction, menu item auction and paddles up auction for unique bottles of Pappy Van Winkle and Whistle Pig. The winner of the drink auction will have their named cocktail on the menu at Amrina for one year, with a portion of the proceeds from its sale going back to the Duncan NRI. For the menu item auction, Amrina offered guests an opportunity to create a dish alongside Chef Bindra, which will also be offered on the Amrina menu for one year.

Head Chef Jassi Bindra prepared an exquisite menu for guests to enjoy. The first course featured a Tuna Crudo alongside a Riesling from Seneca Lake. Truffle Raj Kachori followed second, paired with a French Chablis. Third was a Chilean Sea Bass served with a Burgundy from the heart of France, and right behind it a Rosewood Wagyu Strip was served with a California Cabernet Sauvignon. For dessert, guests were treated to coconut and passionfruit entremets. Entertainment was provided throughout the evening by DJ Randy from Clutch City and violinist Emily Madonia.

GUESTS: Debbie and Steve Sukin, Barbara and Mike Feigin, Dr. Huda Zoghbi, Dr. Joshua Shulman, Joan and John Scales, Vijay and Marie Goradia, Patricia and Scott Young, Kim and Robert Marling, Jane and Gary Sumner, Lisa and Mark Stewart, John and Angela Wiesenbaker, Claudia and David Walkup, Steve and Stacey Bourque, Lily and Surinder Singh, Taylor and Sterling Dio, Michelle Little,