Chita's Engagement Party

Chita Johnson and fiance toasted by Houston media stars at engagement party

While the engagement was announced earlier this month, KHOU Channel 11 meteorologist Chita Johnson and land man Lane Craft got the celebrating off to an official start this week, thanks to the hospitality of Courtney Zubowski Haas and Dr. Eric Haas.

The Haases opened their West University home to a good-looking passel of guests who raised their glasses in a champagne toast to the couple. No surprise in the good looks department — half of those attending make their living in front of the camera on local TV news stations. Special guest was Butch Alsandor, former KHOU sports director, who introduced Johnson and Craft a year and a half ago.

Johnson told friends that she is headed to New York over the weekend to visit friends including Lane's sister, jewelry designer Lauren Craft. She added that she might do a little wedding dress shopping while there.

Catering by Chef Smirnov provided guests with a bounty of treats including spring rolls, beef tender crostinis, Chinese chickens salad, Asian noodle salad and more.

Media cohorts included KHOU family members Rekha Muddaraj with husband Dr. Neil Badlani, Darby Douglas and wife Marilyn, Ron Trevino, Drew Karedes and Erin Garza, along with KTRK Channel 13's Miya Shay and Katherine Whaley with fiance Chris Wadley.

Rounding out the media contingent were Absolutely Memorial publisher Lara Bell with husband Brent Milam, Galveston Daily News editor T.J. Aulds, 97.9 The Box's J Mac and Marcy de Luna, who does double duty as Zagat editor and CultureMap contributing editor.

Also raising their glasses in toast were Angela Lipsey, Gregg Optekamp, Amanda Abiassi, Angela Lynn Nichols, Jeff McShan, Landon Craft, Dean Zubowski, Erin Scheinthal, Roland Keller and Jeff Smith.

Bride-to-be Chita Johnson, Butch Alsandor, who introduced the couple, and Lane Craft.

Houston, Chita Johnson engagement party, July 2015, Chita Johnson, Butch Alsandor, Lane Craft

Photo by Marcy de Luna

Bride-to-be Chita Johnson, Butch Alsandor, who introduced the couple, and Lane Craft.

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Farming Hope

Culinary stars shine at Houston nonprofit's 20th anniversary feast

Photo by CatchLight Group

David Buckley, Randy Evans, Erik Cruz, Ryan Pera, Bob and Gracie Cavnar, Pedro Garcia, Claire Smith, Sebastien Laval, Lucas McKinney, and Dominick Lee.

Under a twilight sky painted in harvest hues, Hope Farms transformed into a culinary dreamscape for a sold-out celebration. The 2025 Delicious Alchemy Banquet marked the 20th anniversary of Recipe for Success Foundation, honoring co-founders Gracie and Bob Cavnar for two decades of changing how children eat and think about food.

A green velvet-draped king’s table stretched across the farm, glinting with silver candelabras and emerald-toned florals grown just steps away. Virginia and Will McMullen, who chaired the event, summoned a culinary cast of OG chefs—original gastronomes—who first helped design the Foundation’s Seed-to-Plate Nutrition Education curriculum back in 2005.

These founding personalities, including Randy Evans, Peter Garcia, Greg Martin, Barbara McKnight, Ryan Pera, and Claire Smith, joined forces once more to remind everyone what delicious activism tastes like. Also contributing standout dishes were Erik Cruz, David Buckley, Lucas McKinney, Dominick Lee, Sebastien Laval, and Adam Paul, each bringing fresh perspective and flavor to the table.

The 10-course feast began with Solar Flares — a hibiscus and lemon drop pepper cocktail mixed with Tito’s — and rolled out a farm-forward menu featuring R-C Ranch wagyu tartare, roasted honeynut squash, paella, Gulf fish, juniper-roasted buffalo, and a concha bread pudding with goat’s milk cajeta. Each dish drew applause, with chefs welcomed in rounds to take their bows like culinary rock stars.

A City of Houston Proclamation, read aloud by the McMullens, officially named the evening Gracie and Bob Cavnar Day. During dessert, Cavnar rallied guests to support the new 20 for ’26 Campaign aimed at expanding Seed-to-Plate into 20 more Title I schools. More than $10,000 was pledged on the spot.

Spotted soaking up the farm-chic vibes were Sheree Frede, RJ Jenkins, Brian Neal, Melissa and Dan Sugulas, Stefanie and Cody Carper, Anita and David Garten, Lynn Goode, Greg Boyd, Jennifer and Lance Gilliam, Josef Jerade, Veronica Neal, Kimberly Cutchall and Matt Henneman, Nannette and David Hartdegen, Laurette Veres, Miya Shay, Justin McRay, Dr. Christopher Chance, Yasmine Haddad, Kelly and Kim Hales, George O. Jackson, Harrison Williams, Gerald Seidl, Michelle LaNoue, Karen Garcia, Kristin Blomquist, Rudy Guerra, and Kathryne Castellanos.

Photo by CatchLight Group

David Buckley, Randy Evans, Erik Cruz, Ryan Pera, Bob and Gracie Cavnar, Pedro Garcia, Claire Smith, Sebastien Laval, Lucas McKinney, and Dominick Lee.

fundraisers recipe for success chefs