Chef's Kiss! Delicious Alchemy Banquet Sets Fundraising Record for Recipe for Success

Daniel Ortiz and Michelle Watson
Chef's Kiss! Delicious Alchemy Banquet Sets Fundraising Record for Recipe for Success

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS, the Houston-based nonprofit founded by Gracie Cavnar, has become known for its annual Delicious Alchemy banquet dinner. This year, the feast was a more intimate gathering at Hope Farms, hosted on a crisp fall evening instead of the usual late-spring date. But what didn’t change: The tradition of serving course after course of delectable treats, prepared by some of Houston’s best chefs, often utilizing produce from the farm.


The Hope Farms Gathering Barn, boasting pastoral, serene views of the grounds, was the setting, and the evening kicked off with an al fresco cocktail hour featuring herbaceous cocktails. The 50 guests then sat at one long (and beautiful!) table, on which perfectly plated dishes from Bistro Menil’s Greg Martin, Le Jardinier’s Felipe Botero, Ostia’s Travis McShane and seven other spectacular chefs were served. The hues of autumn complemented Cavnar’s décor palette of navy blue and glittering gold.

The organization reports that fundraising records were broken during the multicourse “chefstravaganza.”

Anita Garten, Bob Cavnar, David Garten

Bob and Gracie Cavnar

Travis McShane

Aashish and Erin Parekh

Black Tiger Prawn with lemongrass salad garnished with gold leaf and caviar

Salil Deshpande, Marian Cabanillas and Orlando Lozano

Gracie Cavnar with the participating chefs

Texas Wagyu on zucchini pancake topped with gochujang aioli

Rudy Guerra and Mercedes LaBanca

Scott and Christina Boston

Chase Voelz of Bludorn

Sharon and Ricky Sanders

RJ Jenkins, Robyn Jedkyns, Theresa and Jake Voss

Kelly and Kim Hales

Jeff and Rebecca Deurlein

John and Wendy Miller

Barbara McKnight with Culinaire

Jennie Bui-McCo, Angela Bishop, Edgar Huerta

Food
With Expertise in Blondes, Extensions and More, the Janelle Alexis Team Is a Go-To Salon

YOU CAN'T LIMIT Janelle to one title – Hairdresser. Her career and business has been established and built on a strong foundation. Using her two business degrees + one more in-process, this enables Janelle and the team to deliver not only a customer-focused experience, but a foundationally solid business. There is much more than meets the eye, and in sharing a little bit about Janelle, she was not only an international hair extension educator for over 14 years, but brings extensive expertise to blondes. She rounds this out with her previously launched namesake cosmetic line, which is a perfect complement to her belief that “Beauty is our Business”.

Keep Reading Show less

Toca Madera Bird's Nest patio (photo by Connie Anderson)

FINALLY, FALL WILL arrive this week. Grab a bite and a drink or linger over a multi-course meal at these cool spots — the patios are calling!

Keep Reading Show less
Food

The Camino Huichol over the Wet Deck

VERDANT, WINDING BRANCHES arch up and over a pathway as a soundtrack of herons and chachalacas (and the occasional monkey) plays overhead. Concrete rectangles artfully jut up through the green, painted in rays of sunlight. Eventually, the path leads down to the beach, where the streaks of sun create a cinematic moment: A slim, tan couple emerges from the ocean with their surfboards in hand and their dogs at their heels, the scent of the Pacific lingering in the thick, humid air.

Keep Reading Show less
Style