Go behind the scenes of the Winter issue featuring Hope Farms’ Chris Katthage in laid back winter fashion and all the best places to eat now!
Tell us about athletic recovery and why it’s important? Athletic recovery is a must for anyone who's active, whether a weekend warrior or a seasoned athlete. It's about helping your body bounce back stronger, repairing muscles, reducing inflammation, and improving flexibility so you can avoid injuries and keep doing what you love. Being married to a pro athlete — former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback William Jackson — has really opened my eyes to how important recovery is. It's not just about physical performance, it's about overall well-being too.
Do you offer treatments for physical stress, such as muscle tension or joint pain, related to recovery? Tell us about them. We’ve curated an entire lineup of treatments designed to melt away stress and help your body recover:
The Trifecta combines heat therapy to increase blood flow and relax muscles, deep tissue massage and percussion to target knots and trigger points, and active stretching to improve flexibility and range of motion.
Consider Massage Therapy. Choose from a wide range of massages to help ease muscle tension, boost circulation, and target specific issues.
In Normatec Compression Therapy, air compression is used in this unique treatment to improve blood flow, reduce swelling, and help muscle recovery.
Our infrared HaloIR Salt Sauna is like a magic eraser for stress and pain, helping detoxify the body, reduce inflammation, and relieve muscle and joint pain. Plus, the added salt therapy boosts respiratory function and does wonders for your skin!
Can you provide services to help manage emotional stress and anxiety associated with recovery? How? We know that recovery isn't just physical; it's mental and emotional too. That's why we offer services to help guests unwind and de-stress. These include Guided Mindfulness and Meditation Sessions, as well as Aromatherapy, using pure essential oils. Also, Quiet Transitional Spaces help prepare mind and body to make the most of your spa treatment experience.
Are there any treatments that can help with sleep disturbances common in recovery? Which ones specifically and how do they help? Yes! Recovery Relaxation Massage with Arnica and Magnesium is like a lullaby for your body and mind, enhanced with arnica — a natural anti-inflammatory that soothes sore muscles and magnesium — to relax muscles and promote better sleep.
CBD Enhancement can really help. The proven calming and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD help ease anxiety and promote tranquility, making it easier to drift off to sleep.
Unique to our day spa experience is our Escape Ritual Bath Circuit — sauna, jacuzzi, and revitalizing chiller bucket shower circuit. This kind of contrast bathing experience has been proven over centuries in a range of cultures to relax muscles, reduce stress, and promote better sleep.
How do you create a welcoming and comfortable environment for male guests? First, it's a matter of Ambiance. The spa’s refined aesthetic feels sophisticated and inviting, without being overly feminine or fussy.
Also, we pride ourselves on Personalized Service. Our therapists are not only experts in their respective fields, but they’re also skilled at putting clients at ease, and tailoring treatments to individual needs and preferences.
We Focus on Results. We understand that men prefer a results-oriented approach, so Escape treatments are designed to deliver specific benefits, whether alleviating muscle tension, reducing stress, improving sleep, or enhancing overall well-being.
Do you have any specific policies or procedures in place to ensure privacy and comfort for men? Beyond separate changing areas for men and women, our therapists are trained to be discreet and respectful of personal space and privacy.
How do you address any concerns or discomfort a male guest may have about receiving spa treatments? Our therapists are trained to discuss any concerns a guest might have before and during their treatment, making sure they feel comfortable, relaxed, and renewed.
The sauna at Escape Spa
The Escape Ritual Bath Circuit includes sauna, jacuzzi, and revitalizing chiller bucket shower.
Related Articles Around the Web
Lynn Wyatt and Steve Wyatt
“Entering the cocktail space, guests were welcomed by décor inspired by the Roaring Twenties,” noted an MFA rep. “A black and gold custom bar, with large-scale white feather centerpieces, added to the supper club feel. Guests sipped Old Fashioneds and Manhattans as specialty cocktails, as they enjoyed the David Caceres jazz trio.”
At dinner in Cullinan Hall, the 40-foot walls were draped from floor to ceiling in lush hunter green velvet with glinting gold details. “Framed LED screens adorned the walls, showcasing important figures and friends from the MFAH’s long history,” added rep, who went on to note the white and green florals, crystal centerpieces, and mirrored tabletops. Some of the dramatic chandeliers twinkling overhead 15 feet tall. Guests seated in the balcony for the more-than-sold-out event had a birds-eye view of the Art Deco-inspired scene.
Dinner began with chilled poached lobster salad before moving on to beef tenderloin and finally crème brulee with fresh berries. “MFAH trustees Michelle and Frank Hevrdejs, and Sara and Bill Morgan, generously donated wine from Aperture, their award-winning winery in Sonoma County,” explained the rep. During dinner, MFAH gala fae Brandon Wattz of L.A. crooned for guests, who also enjoyed a thematic dance performance by Astarte Creative. The beautiful and glam DJ Kiss spun dance tunes for after-dinner revelers.
As part of the record $5.5 million till, Jan and J. Venn Leeds made a $2 million gift to establish and endowment to provide funding for the Grand Gala each year in perpetuity.
During its 100 years, MFAH has grown from its original space in a small house to having a 14-acre main campus, plus two house museums and gardens. Its collection has grown from a modest 60 works of art to about 80,000 pieces today.
VIPs spotted in the crowd include museum honcho Gary Tinterow, Margaret Alkek Williams, Anne S. Duncan and Moti Ferder of principal underwriter Lugano. Grand Gala Ball. Other notables included Lynn Wyatt, Jim and Whitney Crane, Denise Wynne, Cherie and Jim Flores, Franci Neely, Janet Gurwitch and Ron Franklin, Tina and Joe Pyne, Pershant and Nidhika Mehta, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, Hallie Vanderhider, Bobby Dees, Jay Jones, Terry Wayne Jones; Aliyya Stude, and Cynthia and Tony Petrello.
Scott and Judy Nyquist
Renu and Suresh Khator
Phoebe Tudor
A toast to 100 years
Brandon Wattz performs.
Margaret Alkek Williams
Keefer Lehner, Daniel Zilkha and Rohan Shetty
John Eddie Williams, DJ Kiss and Sheridan Williams
Cynthia and Tony Petrello
Janet Gurwitch and Ron Franklin
Hushang and Shahla Ansary
Lisa Dodd, Logan Dresser and Maria Stavinoha
Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees
Josh Gaynor, Stuart Winston and Idit Ferder
Guest gifts
Feather dancers perform.
Durga and Sushila Agrawal
David and Heidi Gerger and Chinhui and Eddie Allen
Dancie Ware
Claire and Eric Anyah
Brad and Leslie Bucher
Bill and Andrea White
Barron and Lisa Wallace
Alicia Lohman and Felix Pacheco
Chef Ope Amosu addresses foodies
Two months prior to each gathering, the nearest major city to the event is revealed. Just 24 hours before the meal, guests are sent the precise coordinates. The menu and all other details remain a closely guarded secret until guests arrive.
In Houston, many might expect traditional Tex-Mex or barbecue, but this time, the menu took an unexpected turn, showcasing the vibrant flavors of West Africa — a fitting tribute to the city’s rich diversity. The evening’s secret chef was Ope Amosu, the culinary mastermind behind ChòpnBlọk, which recently opened its first brick-and-mortar location in Montrose. “Houston is emerging as one of the top culinary destinations in the U.S., known for its eclectic food scene that spans the globe,” said Isaac Farias, Brugal Rum Brand Ambassador and sponsor of the event. “The city’s culinary landscape is now even recognized by the Michelin Guide.”
Sixty-four guests from eight different states gathered al fresco for the five-course feast. Standout dishes included the Colonial Scotch Egg, filled with spiced turkey, and the Black Star — a bowl brimming with fried rice, shrimp, yassa curry, and crowned with sweet plantains.
For the adventurous foodie, Secret Supper is hosting dinners in Italy and France in 2025. Bon voyage!
Plantain Chips
Cocktails with Brugal Rum
Colonial Scotch Egg
The table