The British Are Coming! With Snappers, Paper Crowns and Cheer!

babc 1in

The BABC held its annual Holiday Party at Nirvana restaurant. Pictured from left are owner Salim Ahmed, British Consul General Karen Bell; BABC Executive Director Becci Himes and manager Mansour Allam.

By Jawahar Malhotra

HOUSTON: ‘Tis the season to be jolly and to get a head start on the holiday cheermaking parties. And the British American Business Council Houston held a Christmas Cheer party for its members once again Nirvana restaurant at Memorial and Diary Ashford. About 90 people turned out for the annual event and to mingle with other compatriots.

“This is the third year that the BABC is holding its Christmas party here,” said Nirvana manager Mansour Allam. “We know what they like and always feature it,” he added pointing to the chicken tikka masala, sag paneer, rogan josh, fish curry and briyani that was laid out on the buffet table in two serving lines.

The BABC Houston is the local arm of the national organization which is formed of 33 British-American Chambers in the US. Each year, Becci Himes, the Executive Director of the Houston chapter, searches for venues to hold the Holiday party and has been thrilled by what she can offer her members at Nirvana. As in years past, this year the guests brought along toys that will be donated to the Toys for Tots charity.

Attending her first such event was Karen Bell, the British Consul General who joined her post in the Bayou City in July 2015. And, adding to the festivities was the beer “1836” from the microbrewery Buffalo Bayou Brewery, whose brewmaster was on hand for the event.