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
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