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    culinary cause

    Guess who's going to the White House? Michelle Obama invites Houston chefs

    Steven Devadanam
    May 28, 2010 | 5:20 pm
    • Barbara McKnight of Catering by Culinaire helping some friends
    • Michelle Obama is bringing attention to childhood obesity.
      Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
    • Gracie Cavnar
      Photo by Marisol Castro
    • Sam Kass, White House chef

    It's a landmark event for obesity in America — and not surprisingly, Houston's invited.

    On June 4, First Lady Michelle Obama will host the kickoff event for the "Chefs Move to Schools" program, a shout out to chefs to join in helping school children lead healthier lives.

    Culinary masters from all over the country will be in attendance at next week's event, but Houston will be in the spotlight, thanks to the hard work of Gracie Cavnar and her hometown non-profit fighting childhood obesity, Recipe for Success, an organization that educates children about healthy living and eating with innovative programming that draws upon a pool of 45 of Houston's finest chefs.

    The Houston-based non-profit is a collaboration between diligent movers and shakers, educators and such foodie fixtures as Monica Pope, Bryan Caswell, Robert Del Grande, Armando Palacios and Scott Tycer. It's the biggest chef-driven nutrition education program in the country.

    Recipe for Success' goals are perfectly aligned with the "Let's Move" Presidential Task Force to End Childhood Obesity. Over 30 percent of American children are overweight and at risk for obesity or already suffering from its effects. In Texas alone, nearly 50 percent of fourth graders fall into an at-risk weight category.

    So far, about half a dozen Houston chefs will be accompanying Cavnar at the White House's Rose Garden ceremony next week, including Pope, Randy Evans, Kiran Verma, Michael Kramer and Barbara McKnight. Also making the trek will be a delegation of Houston personalities and Recipe for Success board members including Stephanie Walker, Rick Terry and Melanie Wilson-Lawson.

    "This is a shining moment for Gracie," beams McKnight, who founded Catering by Culinaire and has worked with the community organizer for three years. McKnight has adopted Briscoe Elementary School as her pet project, conducting seed-to-plate nutrition classes with an on-campus garden and kitchen.

    As part of the First Lady's program, many chefs across the country will adopt a public school, and not only change the food that's served there, but also convene with local food service organizations. "We're all so excited," McKnight adds. "This visit to the White House will be a great thing for the cause and children across the nation."

    When Cavnar launched Recipe for Success in the mid '90s, it was a forerunner in the national conversation about childhood obesity, and it's only become more relevant. Michelle Obama and White House chef Sam Kass will be taking many elements of Recipe for Success as they assemble the framework for the White House initiative.

    Says Cavnar, "We always want to be both agents and inspirers of change. This is one more step along the way to doing that."

    The June 4 kickoff is a tribute to the future of nutrition in America — but it's also Cavnar's birthday. It will be a bountiful day of recognition for Cavnar, her nutrition-minded non-profit and Houston chefs.

    unspecified
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    a fresh start

    Award-winning Houston cocktail bar diverts to new home in Montrose

    Eric Sandler
    Jun 12, 2025 | 5:00 pm
    Diversion cocktail bar Montrose
    Photo by Manoah Rodriguez
    The Vilanova Ritual is prepared tableside in a teapot.

    An award-winning Houston cocktail bar has found a new home. Diversión will reopen Thursday, June 19 in Montrose’s food-focused Harlow District development.

    Located at 1226 W Clay Street, Diversión Montrose will occupy one of the two houses that comprise Emma Jane, the European-inspired teahouse that opened last year. It replaces the original location of Diversión that opened in early 2021 in Spring Branch. Both Diversión’s original location and Degust, its companion tasting menu restaurant, quietly closed last year.

    Known for its polished service and elaborate cocktails, Esquire magazine named Diversión’s original iteration to its list of the Best New Bar in America for 2022. That ethos has been “refreshed” to be “a more intimate and playful setting,” according to press materials.

    Patrons will find a new cocktail menu that includes drinks such as the Operation: ‘White Flame’ (vodka, dry vermouth, Earl Grey, and caviar); the Sand Dollar Beach, an on-trend mini martini; and the Vilanova Ritual, which is prepared for two people in one of Emma Jane’s signature tea pots. Food options include Korean fried chicken, a Japanese-style mushroom salad (sunomono), and caviar service with crème fraiche dip, soy caramel, and crepes.

    While the original Diversión required a special trip to Spring Branch, the new one could be one stop on an evening in the Harlow District. Located on the property that served as the home to treasured Italian restaurants Nino's, Vincent's, and Grappino di Nino, the development now includes upscale Italian restaurant La Griglia, premier sushi spot Katami, and lively patio bar Verde Garden.

    Diversión will be open Tuesday-Sunday from 5 pm-1 am.


    Diversion cocktail bar Montrose
      

    Photo by Manoah Rodriguez

    The Vilanova Ritual is prepared tableside in a teapot.

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