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
Fall Philanthropy Report: Urban Harvest Farmers Market Helps ‘Transform Food Accessibility’

What year was your organization launched? Urban Harvest’s Saturday Farmers Market started in 2004 with just seven vendors, providing an outlet for local farms, community and backyard gardeners to sell fresh produce harvested directly from their soils. Now in its 20th year, the market has grown to be one of the largest markets in Texas, supporting over 100 local farmers, ranchers, and food artisans all from within 180 miles of Houston. The market draws 3,000 customers every Saturday morning and includes many original vendors like Animal Farm, Atkinson Farms, and Wood Duck Farm.

Keep Reading Show less

WITH HOLIDAY PARTIES and festive dinners galore this time of year, it’s officially Champagne season! Artisans is celebrating with a special bubbly dinner paired with sips from famous Champagne house Moet Chandon Winery on Thursday, November 14.

Keep Reading Show less
Food

HOLIDAY CHEER IS coming to Bandista, the Four Seasons hotel’s swanky speakeasy, in the form of a fun collab with Nashville bar Four Walls.

Keep Reading Show less
Food