parties

Take It Outside! Cavnar, Top Chefs Present Chic ‘Delicious Alchemy’ Dinner on Hope Farms Grounds

Take It Outside! Cavnar, Top Chefs Present Chic ‘Delicious Alchemy’ Dinner on Hope Farms Grounds

Aashish and Erin Parekh, Alice Mao and Tammie Johnson (photo by Johnny Than)

THE INDOMITABLE GRACIE Cavnar and her Recipe for Success nonprofit hosted the annual “Delicious Alchemy” dinner on the grounds of the organization’s Hope Farms in Sunnyside. Per the custom, the meal, which followed a lively al fresco cocktail hour set to the music of an acoustic guitar, featured course after course of divine treats prepared by some of the city’s best chefs, often utilizing produced from the farm.

“As the sun set, everyone took their seats in the transformed Gathering Barn,” said a rep for the event’s organizers. “Soaring ceilings featured striking Renaissance-inspired chandeliers adorned with farm-grown florals floating above a 50-foot-long table dressed in shimmering copper Fortuny fabric.” The tabletop also “showcased lush linear arrangements of perfumed florals plucked fresh from the surrounding fields. The richly colored blooms included delicate rarities from sweet peas and ranunculus to foxgloves and roses.”

Courses included Sysco chef Javier Lopez’s crabcakes, wild mushroom pierogis by Culinare chef and Recipe for Success board member Barbara McKnight, and an almond and goat cheese salad from chef Martin Stayer of Nobie’s and The Toasted Coconut. As the meal progressed, guests sampled Theodore Rex chef Kaitlin Steets’ snow peas and carrots tossed in an herbaceous pistou sauce; Roma chef Kevin Bryant’s handmade casarecce pasta with caramelized lemon sauce, heirloom tomatoes and green beans; Ouzo Bay chef Thomas Laczynski’s roasted Portuguese octopus; Le Colonial chef Charlie Ho’s tea-smoked squab, cooked on the grounds and paired with ginger-glazed Hope Farms carrots; and 12-hour Gourmet Ranch short ribs with port wine reduction from chef Greg Martin of Bistro Menil.

Roland and Karen Garcia (photo by Johnny Than)

The tablescape featured flowers grown on the grounds (photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Gracie Cavnar (photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Virginia McMullen (photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Peg Lee (photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Wendy Miller (photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Ford Hubbard and Glen Gonzalez (photo by Johnny Than)

Allison and Steve Hendrickson (photo by Johnny Than)

Sheri Henriksen, Bob Cavnar, Ingrid Bond and Katherine Warren (photo by Johnny Than)

Ashton and Dallas Garrison (photo by Johnny Than)

Naushir and Sneha Merchan (photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Suzanne and John Fain (photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Charlie Ho and Kevin Bryant (photo by Johnny Than)

Shelly Spann (photo by Daniel Ortiz)

David and Anita Garten (photo by Johnny Than)

Dessert courses came courtesty of Kiran’s chef-owner Kiran Verma’s pancharmrit with ramalai, vanilla genoise, pineapple chutney and pistachio rabri, served with her signature chai —and “Hoppin’ Good Carrot Cake” in the shape of a bunny, made with heirloom carrots, spiced pecans and mascarpone, by chef Alejandra Salas of AV Bakery.

Boldface names on hand for the breezy dinner party included Kim Tutcher, Ford Hubbard, Barbara and Lance McKnight, Steve Summers and the evening’s honorees, Suzanne and John Fain.

From Your Site Articles
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