parties

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

From Your Site Articles
Related Articles Around the Web
Food
promoted

Leadership in Action: CEO Theresa Roemer Credits Mother, Mentors and Mindset for Accomplishments

Leadership in Action: CEO Theresa Roemer Credits Mother, Mentors and Mindset for Accomplishments

How did you get to where you are today? My journey to where I am today is built on a foundation of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Every step along the way, I faced obstacles, but I approached each one with determination and a “never give up” mindset. Instead of being discouraged by challenges, I used them as opportunities to grow and improve. Consistency was key—I committed to showing up and giving my best effort every day. I also learned not to take “no” as a final answer. Instead, I saw it as a chance to push harder, adapt, and find another way forward. It’s this combination of persistence, resilience, and unwavering focus that has brought me to where I am today.

Keep Reading Show less
promoted

Leadership in Action: ‘Family, Community and Spiritual Connection’ Drives Success for Henry Richardson

Al Torres

How did you get to where you are today? The present moment is a combined history of my family, my time as an athlete, my passion for learning, and my desire to see the world be better. I grew up as a successful springboard and platform diver, however, an injury caused me to seek alternative treatments to heal my body. In that process, I discovered the power of yoga, exercise, meditation, mindset, and nutrition. This holistic approach eventually led me to open a Pilates and cycling studio called DEFINE body & mind. I opened studios around the nation, and after selling most of my business between 2017-2019, I was ready to explore how I could make an even greater impact on the wellbeing of our community. In 2023, I started actively working on a brand new multi-family/apartment concept called, Define Living. The idea focused on offering health and wellness services within a beautiful apartment setting to increase the wellbeing of our residents. Having a strong sense of community is the number one factor in living a happy life, so why not build a community where daily fitness, cooking classes, and social connection are the norm? We opened Define Living in March of 2024, and we couldn’t be happier with how things are being received. We are already looking at building more concepts like this in the Houston area and beyond.

Keep Reading Show less
promoted

Leadership in Action: ‘Setting Clear Goals’ Among Secrets of Success for Attorney Jess Bailey

Al Torres

How did you get to where you are today? A few key principles integrated into my life: setting clear goals, maintaining a growth mindset, building strong habits, and surrounding myself with the right people. Goals provided direction, while a growth mindset helped me turn challenges into opportunities for learning. Consistent habits, like disciplined work and effective communication, kept me moving forward. Being surrounded by motivated, supportive individuals has elevated my standards and kept me accountable. They’ve provided advice, encouragement, and sometimes that extra push I needed to stay on track. With these elements, I’ve been able to create a framework that helps me succeed and ensures I continue to grow and evolve.

Keep Reading Show less
People + Places