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
As Escape Spa Expands in 2025, Owner Has Advice on Personal Growth: ‘Focus on Intention Setting’

CHANGE IS A good thing, and with the start of a new year, I always like to reflect on how far I've come and start fresh by setting self-care goals for the coming months. Personal growth is a passion for me, and also something I enjoy. Guiding a business through growth and change is also one of my passions, so I am very pleased to announce that Escape Spa is going to be expanding in 2025! We’re honored that we’ve built such a loyal following since opening in Cypress in July of 2022, and we’re thrilled to be in a position to grow our wellness and recovery sanctuary just outside of Houston.

Keep Reading Show less

Phoebe and Bobby Tudor

ONE OF THE most elegant and anticipated galas of the year — Asia Society Texas’ Tiger Ball — drew some of the society set’s heaviest hitters. And it scored a new personal best in terms of dollars, raking in a whopping $1.73 million.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment

The patio at Heights & Co.

IT'S ALMOST TIME for summer vacations, but Heights & Co. is offering escapes on its newly redecorated patio in the form of wine and movie nights — no passport needed! Visit France, Italy, Greece, Spain, and more through wine pairings and tasting menus, all complemented by movies set in each location.

Keep Reading Show less
Food