Journo and Restaurant Weeks Founder Cleverley Stone Remembered on Anniversary of Her Passing Today

Journo and Restaurant Weeks Founder Cleverley Stone Remembered on Anniversary of Her Passing Today

Cleverley Stone / photo via Instagram

CLEVERLEY STONE, THE Houston media personality and Houston Restaurant Weeks founder who succumbed to cancer on May 28 last year, will be honored today, on the first anniversary of her passing, with live TV coverage and streaming content about her life and accomplishments.


According the recently formed Cleverley Stone Foundation, FOX 26 will present eulogistic commentary on the two platforms, beginning with coverage in the 9am hour on Houston's Morning Show and continuing with a live-stream presentation on the station's website and Facebook page beginning at 10:15am. Reporter Ruben Dominquez and Stone's daughter Katie, who now runs the foundation and is determined to further her late mother's philanthropic goals, will lead the effort.

"I am honored to continue my mother's worthy cause of helping Houstonians in need, and I look forward to The Cleverley Stone Foundation's continued support of her beloved restaurant industry and the Houston Food Bank," says Katie.

Cleverley, who was familiar presence on local TV and radio, where she covered the city's eclectic and fast-evolving dining scene, was born in New York and began her career Back East as the bridal director and buyer for the B. Altman and Company department store. Taking a similar job with now-defunct Foley's stores in 1989, she moved to Houston, where she was tapped to write and edit bridal content for the Houston Post, her first foray into journalism.

She would eventually lean into her life as a local media star and evolve into an expert on the local food scene, becoming known to some at the city's Diva of Dining. But Cleverley's most notable achievement relating the food was likely founding Houston Restaurant Weeks, a citywide fundraiser for the Houston Food Bank that runs from Aug. 1 till Labor Day every year. The fundraiser has raised nearly $17 million since its inception, enabling the distribution of almost 50 million meals for food-insecure Houstonians, the foundation reports.

Other notable Houstonians participating in the celebration of Stone's life include Alex Brennan-Martin of Brennan's of Houston, Ben Berg of B&B Butchers and other top city eateries like The Annie Café, and renowned chef Michael Cordúa of the former Américas restaurants.

Food
What’s the Secret to Biz Success? ‘Show Up with Kindness,’ Says Bianca Bucaram

How did you get to where you are today? Passion, persistence, and faith, and a little bit of luck. I graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in Political Science and Spanish, on the track to be pre-med. Little did I know that a journey to help my younger sister would set my course to sail in PR. I had no background in communication, except my raw talent, and was fortunate enough to have a family member who needed her story to be told! I was helping tell my younger sister (one of the most recognized influencers in the online vegan community) @fullyrawkristina’s story, and it all blossomed from there.

Keep Reading Show less

Refreshing bites at Bloom & Bee; the famous French onion soup at Artisans (photo by Shane Dante)

THIS SUMMER HAS been uniquely brutal for the hospitality industry, with devastating losses from the derecho and Beryl. But a bright spot for many has been Houston Restaurant Weeks, the annual August event that gives foodies and restaurants alike a jolt of energy.

Keep Reading Show less
Food

Two hand-stitched pillowcases based on drawings by Houston artists

TO KICK OFF the fall arts season, Andrew Durham Gallery is hosting a unique cross-cultural collaboration between 22 Houston and Texas artists, and 28 members of the sewing co-op and non-profit, Honduras Threads. Founded in 2001, Honduras Threads seeks to provide women in Honduran rural communities with the means to lift themselves out of poverty and support their families.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment