Claire Smith, Canopy& Alice Blue
Claire's Houston Heights restaurant, Shade opened to rave reviews in December 2003 and provided the historic neighborhood with its first serious dining destination. Her contemporary, comfortable eatery highlights what has been described as, "global home cooking." Houstonians were just tickled to have her back, having become addicted to Claire's way with food at her first restaurant, Daily Review, which she sold in 2000 before taking off on a two year coast to coast culinary adventure.
Shade earned Smith the Restaurateur of the Year Award from My Table Magazine in 2004 and was named one of the 10 Best New Restaurants in the state by Texas Monthly. In 2009, she opened Canopy, in the Montrose area, which is fast becoming the neighborhood place. Claire holds a degree from the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, CA, where she graduated Valedictorian, and she has a Bachelor of Arts in Art and in Art History from Rice University.
Claire is a founding member of our Chef Advisory Board and has hosted many fundraising event on behalf of RFS.
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? Get in touch 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.