Clive Berkman, Cooking with Clive

Clive Berkman, Cooking with Clive

Clive's life is like a sumptuous multi-course meal. Along the way he has combined and blended experiences, lessons, disappointments, challenges, triumphs, and joy to create a feast for the senses and the soul. And now he invites you to join him at the table.

In his career as a world class chef and restaurateur, Clive has learned much more than how to prepare mouthwatering meals. He has discovered the power of food to bring people together and create memories that linger long after the table is cleared. Clive calls these "empty bottle moments" and knows that empty bottles tell the best stories. Full bottles speak of possibilities, but empty bottles remind us of the warm and wonderful times we have shared together.

Clive was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and from a very early age was fascinated with the tastes and aromas of his mother's kitchen. It's also where he began to discover his fondness for the best of flavors. As a six year old, he was hanging out in the kitchen one afternoon as his mom prepared for a dinner party. When she left the room for a moment, Clive discovered a jar of Beluga caviar, took a taste, and loved it so much he ate the whole thing! The rest is culinary history...

Clive now spends his time as a speaker, author, consultant, spice engineer and as a Creator of Empty Bottle Moments.

2018 Chef of the Year
Kevin Naderi, Roost

Chefs Advisory Board

Beginning in the late 1990's Chef Monica Pope joined in Gracie's efforts to establish a group of concerned chefs who were willing to get involved in a hands on way to teach kids to cook. Twenty-four answered the call and in 2006, we established our Chefs Advisory Board, a working committee with Monica as its Chair. Through the years, more and more chefs have joined our founding members, and today we have over 100 members in Houston and across the country. Monica Pope continues to lead the team as Chair Emeritus.

These busy professionals donate their time month after month, year after year, bringing their unique insight and perspective of food to the children, turning on their taste buds and opening their minds to new foods. It's a Recipe for Success! Would you like to join us? Drop Paris an email and get started today!

The Foundation's Chefs Advisory Board served as inspiration for the White House campaign for Chefs Move to School! Six members of our Chefs Advisory Board joined members of our Board of Directors at the White House in June 2010 for the kick-off of Chefs Move to Schools! where Recipe for Success was featured as a national model and resource. See pictures here. And read about the trip here and here.