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    Finger Lickin' Good

    More than 50 chefs, pitmasters and mixologists deliver unbelievable spread for Taste of the Nation

    Shelby Hodge
    Sep 22, 2016 | 7:31 am

    The Corinthian never smelled so good as it did Tuesday night. The moment the doors opened on the Taste of the Nation for "No Kid Hungry" fundraiser, guests were enveloped in wonderful aromas emanating from more than 50 food and drink stations.

    By night's end, more than 600 charity-minded foodies had wandered through the seductive maze of scrumptious food like ants through a picnic. They were tempted by Coltivare's braised duck, Underbelly's sophisticated BLTs, Holley's crab hors d'oeuvres and Cafe Annie's roasted eggplant tartare.

    And the barbecue dishes! The pitmasters provided the biggest aromas and the biggest tastes of the night — Louis Mueller's Wayne Mueller, Gatlin's Greg Gatlin, Pappa Charlies' Wesley Jurena, Roegels' Russell Roegels, Midtown Barbeque's Brett Jackson, and the Brisket House's Wayne Kammerl.

    Among others putting their best plates forward were BCN's Louis Roger, Arthur Ave's William Wright, Izakaya's Philippe Gaston and so many more. As Brennan's chef Danny Trace, a first-timer, noted, "I knew that it was a great event . . . It's beyond what I expected, there are so many booths, such great food here, so much talent and we're certainly glad to be a part of it." His team handed out steaming bowls of hunter's duck and collard greens gumbo.

    While grazing through the Corinthian, guests had plenty of opportunities for bottled water, Karbach beer and creative cocktails such as Mongoose versus Cobra's gin punch, Moving Sidewalk's watermelon daiquiri, and Julep's Snake Pit Sprout, featuring gin.

    And then there were the desserts, such temptation, from Weights & Measures, Michael's Cookies, Le Table, Fat Cat Creamery and on and on.

    In the process of all that tasting from top chefs and pitmasters and sipping from leading mixologists and breweries, the very well-fed raised close to $100,000.

    Applause, applause for chef chair Ryan Pera, beverage chair Alba Huerta, pastry chair Rebecca Masson and barbecue chair Daniel Vaughn of Texas Monthly.

    Adding to the night's fun were the country tunes of VinylRanch DJ David Wrangler, sounds that kept the energy high as guests perused the myriad silent auction items. The Glenlivet Dram Room and the NFL Homegating "Slider Zone" for creating your own mini-burgers provided extra entertainment.

    Notable guests in the mix included platinum sponsors Marta and Bill Marko, NFL retirees Warren Moon and James Farrior, and No Kid Hungry executive vice president of strategy Chuck Scofield.

    Chefs Mallory Buford, Chris Shepherd, and Ryan Pera.

    Taste of the Nation, 9/16, Mallory Buford, Chris Shepherd, Ryan Pera
      
    Photo by Quy Tran
    Chefs Mallory Buford, Chris Shepherd, and Ryan Pera.
    cocktailsfundraiserschefs
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    Recipe for Success

    Houston’s chicest support kids’ health at farm fashion show

    Joel Luks
    Jun 19, 2025 | 1:30 pm
    Recipe for Success Fashion in the Fields 2025
    Photo by Michelle Watson
    Founder Gracie Cavnar, center, with the participating chefs.

    On a picture-perfect spring afternoon, Houston’s haute families traded their city stilettos for stylish wedges and sun hats at Hope Farms, where fashion met philanthropy at the Seventh Annual Fashion in the Fields Brunch and Fashion Show. With Japanese umbrellas dancing in the breeze and the scent of ranunculus and rose wafting from centerpiece watering cans, the event proved once again that cultivating health and style are not mutually exclusive.

    The star of the show — aside from the petal-perfect runway looks — was the event’s uniquely multi-generational leadership. Elizabeth Phillips chaired the event alongside daughters Ariel Lopez and Brittany Faulk, with granddaughters Finley Lopez, Hallie Faulk, and Rose Faulk making it a family affair to remember. Sheree Frede, Sarah Phillips, and Sara DeJay Willis served as co-chairs, reinforcing the event’s legacy-minded ethos.

    And legacy was the buzzword of the day.

    “To see the next generation picking up the torch is deeply inspiring,” said Recipe for Success founder Gracie Cavnar, who’s spent 19 years growing the organization’s mission to inspire children to eat fresh, nutritious food. That mission took center stage — quite literally — when a pack of pint-sized models dressed by Itsy Bitsy Boutique (and some dapper dads in M Penner) pranced down the runway to collective awws and camera flashes.

    Recipe for Success Fashion in the Fields 2025
      

    Photo by Michelle Watson

    Founder Gracie Cavnar, center, with the participating chefs.

    The main event unfolded with spring collections from presenting sponsors Mason’s Daughter, Sachin and Babi, and City Boots, punctuated by sustainable style highlights from Magpies and Peacocks. ABC13 Houston anchor and style savant Miya Shay emceed with flair, serving commentary as vibrant as the garments.

    Of course, no fashion fête is complete without a fitting feast.

    Guests noshed on a Michelin-pedigree brunch courtesy of a chef dream team: Tommy Laczynski (Barcelona Wine Bar), Barbara McKnight (Culinaire), JC Ricks (Dandelion Café), Drake Leonard (Eunice), Felipe Botero (Le Jardinier), and Patti Delgado (The Original Ninfa’s). Glasses clinked over Down the Rabbit Hole cocktails, a botanical blend with carrot juice from Hope Farms and wines courtesy of 55 Seventy Private Member’s Club.

    The day’s emotional high came during Paddles Up, raising scholarships for Hope Farms’ summer camps. Cynthia and Tony Petrello led the charge with a $5,000 gift to fund a dozen weeklong experiences for local kids. Raffle winners walked away with floral subscriptions, design consults, private cocktail classes, and fresh produce deliveries. The Foundation also honored Chef Kevin Bryant as Chef of the Year and Samuel Jackson as Volunteer of the Year for their unwavering commitment to sustainable food education.

    Looking ahead, Lyndsey Zorich, a Foundation Advisory Board member and fashion entrepreneur, is already at work assembling next year’s dream team of stylish moms to chair the 2026 event.

    Among the stylish crowd were Beth Harp, Gayla Gardner, Celina Hellmund, Anita and David Garten, Rudy Guerra, Veronica Neal, Sara Morgan and Oscar Brown, Laura and Etai Funk, and Gina Gaston Elie.

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