President George W. Bush (Photo by Dave Rossman)
Once seated, guests enjoyed a sweet video tribute to the former First Lady Barbara Bush, and were welcomed by emcee Dominique Sachse along with Maria and Neil Bush. Neil welcomed his brother to the stage, joking about who was their mom's favorite son, before President Bush read an excerpt from his new book, Out of Many, One: Portraits of American Immigrants, and discussed immigration reform and DACA with Sachse.
The other authors shared motivations and stories behind their latest releases, including Baker and Glasser's fascinating new biography The Man Who Ran Washington: The Life and Times of James A. Baker, III. A live performance by Houston-reared The Voice contestants John Holiday and Desz concluded the afternoon — but not before the crowd could wish Secretary Baker himself a happy 91st birthday!
Earlier in the day, a handful of special guests —Julie Baker Finck and Ron Finck, Betty and John Hrncir and Katherine McGovern, among others — got the chance to chat with the authors and members of the Bush family at a private luncheon, hosted by Terri and John Havens at their home and catered by City Kitchen.
Caroline and Paul Cornett, George and Jennifer Wilson; Photo by Jenny Antill
Dancie Ware, Maria Bush, Julie Baker Finck; Photo by Jenny Antill
Jeff Carnrite and Joselyn Tego; Photo by Hung Truong
John Holiday and Desz; Photo by Dave Rossman
Lisa and Mark Jakel; Photo by Hung Truong
Lisa Foronda Harper and Greg Harper; Photo by Dave Rossman
Matthew McConaughey; Photo by Dave Rossman
Nick Florescu and Dominique Sachse; Photo by Dave Rossman
Pierce Bush, Neil and Maria Bush; Photo by Jenny Antill
President George W. Bush, Maria and Neil Bush; Photo by Dave Rossman
Secretary James A Baker; Photo by Dave Rossman
From Your Site Articles
- 'He Was a Point of Light' - Houston CityBook ›
- Kathie Lee Gifford Headlines Storybook Soiree, Raises Nearly Half a Mil for Literacy Foundation - Houston CityBook ›
- Who Are You Calling Tacky?! At Festive Function, YoPros Stuff Backpacks Instead of Stockings - Houston CityBook ›
- YoPros Take It Over the Rainbow for Literacy at 'Storybook' Gala Kickoff - Houston CityBook ›
- Local Literacy Nonprofit — and the Astros! —Turns the Page at Record-Breaking Bash - Houston CityBook ›
- After 30 Years, Barbara Bush’s Cause Remains Relevant: Upcoming Lunch Shines Light on the Power of Literacy - Houston CityBook ›
- At Inaugural Ball, $1.7 Mil Worth of Wishes Are Granted - Houston CityBook ›
Related Articles Around the Web
Bob Cavnar, Ford Hubbard, Gracie Cavnar with Chef Fellix Flore
The in-person event may have had fewer attendees than in years past, but the lavish 10-course dinner was anything but pared down. It was held at Recipe for Success' Hope Farms, and kicked off with a cocktail hour in the Chef's Kitchen Garden that included refreshing gazpacho shooters topped with the farm's edible flowers.
The evening proceeded with dinner in the farm's "gathering barn." Guests took their seats, looking up to find four "living chandeliers" hanging from the vaulted ceiling, made with maidenhare ferns and multicolored hydrangeas. Back on the ground, a gray and silver tablescape featured beautiful pastel flowers arranged in rustic pots and glass vessels.
Then came the truly "delicious" part of Delicious Alchemy: Chefs, including Culinare's Barbara McKnight, Guard & Grace's Adam Stephens and Bistro Menil's Greg Martin, served up sensational seasonal dishes. Ouzo Bay chef Thomas Laczynski wrapped his Chilean sea bass in collards from the farm, for example, and Stephens' squab en crepenette was smoked using wood from the Hope Farms peach tree that did not survive February's freeze.
In fact, the event raised funds to not only support Recipe for Success' mission, but also to restore Hope Farms following the historic weather event. Cavnar thanked McDugald Steele for donating a collection of Asian pear trees, sharing with the crowd that 100 percent of the citrus orchard and 50 percent of the other fruit trees were killed off this winter. More than half of the attendees agreed to underwrite new trees!
Delicious Alchemy also honored Peg Lee, a Houston culinary institution who cooked her way through kitchens across Houston and eventually launched Central Market's cooking school. It was announced on this night that Hope Farms' new classroom would be named after Lee.
Chef Charlie Ho
Councilman David Robinson presents proclamation to Peg Lee
David Garten, Suzanne and Jon Fain
Cocktails in the garden
Elizabeth and Bob Phillips
Ford Hubbard
Julia & Jason Woertink
Chef Sasha Grumman
Chefs cooking over live fire
From Your Site Articles
- Farm Fresh! Inside Recipe for Success’ Al Fresco Fundraiser — on the Prettiest Day of the Year - Houston CityBook ›
- Small Steps, Big Gains! Nonprofit Raises a Glass — and a Record-Breaking $850K for At-Risk Preschoolers - Houston CityBook ›
- Take It Outside! Cavnar, Top Chefs Present Chic ‘Delicious Alchemy’ Dinner on Hope Farms Grounds - Houston CityBook ›
- Tour Hope Farms — and its 40 Tomato Varietals — on June 1. Tastes Like Summer! - Houston CityBook ›
- Here's the Tastiest Way to Experience Hispanic Heritage Month - Houston CityBook ›
- Nature and Nurture: Nonprofit Toasts 40 Years of Planting and Protecting Trees in Houston, Raises $520K - Houston CityBook ›
- Chef's Kiss! Delicious Alchemy Banquet Sets Fundraising Record for Recipe for Success - Houston CityBook ›
- Curb the Christmas Stress with Grazing and Gift Ideas from Houston’s One-Stop Holiday Shop - Houston CityBook ›
- Trees for Houston Puts Down Serious Roots, Toasts New Campus and $485K Till at Annual Ball - Houston CityBook ›
- Iconic Grocer Rings in 30th Anniversary, Renews Its 'Wows' to Customers with Delicious Ways to Celebrate - Houston CityBook ›
- Always Farm Fresh and Fabulous, Recipe for Success’ ‘Delicious Alchemy’ Delights Foodie Guests - Houston CityBook ›
Related Articles Around the Web