A dash of culinary genius and a whole lot of heart filled plates at Hope Farms on November 11 as the 19th Annual Delicious Alchemy Banquet benefiting Recipe for Success Foundation dished an unforgettable evening. This year, the recipe called for a twist: A brigade of 10 phenomenal female chefs crafting 10 courses in a celebration of food, community, and creativity.

Fifty gourmands lined up under the glow of the United Healthcare Foundation Gathering Barn, where the ambiance was as curated as the dishes. White blooms from Flower Child Urban Farm and Studio levitated over a black tablescape designed by Recipe for Success founder Gracie Cavnar.

The star-studded chef roster featured some of Houston’s finest. Among the notable creations were chef Kate McLean’s duck cones with scallion pudding and chef Erin O’Leary Stewart’s black trumpet mushroom crisps paired with herbed cashew cheese. The crowd’s taste buds continued their joyride through courses like chef Suu Khin’s turnip coconut cream soup with turmeric, and chef Benchawan Painter’s crispy chicken bathed in coconut kombucha squash and pumpkin curry sauce.

By dessert, chef Alyssa Dole’s olive oil cake with beet mascarpone whip sweetened the experience, and chef Andrea De Gortari sent everyone home with a bag of bite-sized happiness featuring spiced sweet potato cookies and chocolate beet morsels. Other chefs contributing to the foodie wonderland included Barbara McKnight, Victoria Elizondo, Jane Wild, and Jessica Timmons.

No banquet is complete without libations. From the effervescent Poggio Costa Prosecco to Saint Arnold Brewing Co.’s craft brews and Tito’s Handmade Vodka cocktails, sips elevated the dining adventure. And of course, Natalie Vaclavik’s curated wine selection ensured a cornucopia of flavors. With service provided by Culinaire, this feast encouraged the coterie to save the date for the 20th annual fete, set for November 10, 2025 chaired by Virginia and Will McMullen.

The banquet mirrored Recipe for Success Foundation’s mission to combat childhood obesity through programs that teach kids and families the art of healthy eating. This gastronomic evening raised awareness for initiatives like Seed-to-Plate Nutrition Education, serving more than 50,000 youth.

Wining and dining were:Bob Cavnar, Rudy Guerra, Ford Hubbard, Renea Abbott, Sherree and Norman Frede, Anita and David Garten, Matt Henneman and Kimberly Cutchall, Aashish and Erin Parekh, Jessica Rossman, Gayla Gardner, Ariel Lopez, Michele and Gerald LaNoue, Myrtle Jones, Kelly and Kim Hales, Lynne Goode and Harrison Williams, and Karen and Murry Penner.

  

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Jessica Timmons, Andrea De Gortari, Ning Bates, Victoria Elizondo, Kate McLean, Gracie Cavnar, Jane Wild, Alyssa Dole, Erin O’Leary Stewart, and Suu Khin.