Champagne pours freely at Thrash Krug party
A Grammy Award winner, a James Beard Award winner and a pair of fashion designers walk into a house.
It’s not the start of a rambling joke. And this is not just any house. That unique mix of accomplished creators was part of a crew of Houston A-listers who recently feted Becca and John
Thrash’s legendary party manse for a night of epic proportions.
How epic? Though the guest list was limited to 79 tony invitees, Krug’s champagne pours appeared in three sizes: standard, magnum and jerobaum.
“Jerobaum is four bottles, and magnum is two,” Krug’s Michael
Irilli explained to fellow dinnergoers. “The larger the bottle, the better the aging process because there’s less oxygen to liquid ratios.”
His advice? “If someone offers you a minibottle, don’t take it.”
Fortunately, the evening’s uber-stylish crowd didn’t have to worry about that. From reception to dessert, each bubbly on offer proved larger and more robust than the last.
But back to the celebs. Krug Journey, which throws two to four annual musical dinners nationwide, tapped fashion designer Naeem Khan for suggestions on a new host city. Khan, who previously has teamed up with the LVMH brand three times, immediately thought of Becca.
“Every time I leave Houston, it’s with a hangover and lots of memories,” Khan told guests in the Thrash library. “But tonight we have Krug, so no hangover.”
Gregory Porter, the aforementioned Grammywinning performer, echoed Khan’s sentiments. “They send me boxes and boxes; you wouldn’t believe the fights at my house over the champagne.”
He then launched into his first of four songs, “More Than a Woman,” as servers passed Krug Grande Cuvée to attendees, including Phoebe Tudor, Lucinda and Javier Loya, Diane Lokey Farb, Neal Hamil Adam Lippes and — that second fashion designer. Each tune and bottle was paired to hit precisely the right note.
Not to be outdone, Uchi’s executive chef/ owner Tyson Cole gave his own star performance from the Thrashes’ kitchen. A5 Wagyu beef topped with caviar, yellowtail and Ora King salmon circled inside the estate’s solarium, affectionately known as the “pool room.”
There, towering fig trees and chipper ranunculus (repotted in Krug wine cases) created a fresh spring scene for the private concert and dining experience. Porter reappeared between courses to sing “On My Way to Harlem” and “Don’t Lose Your Steam” as Krug 1998 and Krug Rosé made the rounds, respectively. Without a doubt, “Liquid Spirit’s” toe-tapping melody won out as the soirée’s showstopper. Becca sprang to her feet and danced between two tables before directing patrons to the dining room for dessert.
The seasoned hostess, concerned that some of the guys didn’t quite get their fill of food (this is Texas, after all), instructed staff to fire up nachos and taquitos for after-party revelers. She sent other staffers out for Whataburger, too.
“Champagne is excellent with hamburgers,”
Cerón observed en route to the valet.