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: Easter Seals of Greater Houston ‘Impacts Where People Need Us the Most’

What year was your organization launched? Founded in Houston in 1947, as the Cerebral Palsy Treatment Center, the organization provided services to individuals with disabilities living in Houston and Harris County. In 1989, the organization changed its name and greatly expanded its services to meet the needs of its clientele. Today as Easter Seals Greater Houston, the organization provides multiple outstanding service programs to children, adults, veterans, and service members with all types of disabilities and their families in Harris and sixteen surrounding counties.

Keep Reading Show less

You’ve eaten at Nancy’s Hustle, Tiny Champions, Better Luck Tomorrow, Milton’s and Lee’s Den. Now, you can explore the private warehouse of the design firm that created those spaces!

Keep Reading Show less

UPON ARRIVAL AT Maroma resort on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, a beautifully dressed attendant, briefcase and tablet in hand, ushers guests to their respective rooms. “Here’s your welcome amenity,” she says, gesturing to ceramic vessels on the coffee table with one hand as she completes the check-in process with the other. “It is tequila.”

Keep Reading Show less
People + Places