Stephanie Hoban, Verdine
Stephanie Hoban founder and owner of Ripe, a food blog-cum-pop up cafe knows a thing or two about making healthy food, tasty food. Hoban a Registered and Licensed Dietitian, holds a BS in Nutrition and Dietetics from New York University, where she graduated Cum Laude, and a MS in Nutrition, graduating Magna Cum Laude, from Texas Women's University in Houston, TX. She received her culinary training from the Natural Gourmet Institute for Health and Culinary Arts in New York City, the premier health-supportive culinary school in the country. After completing her culinary training, Hoban interned at El Chaflan, a Michelin star restaurant in Madrid, Spain, and is a former line cook at Houston's farm to table restaurant Haven. She has also served as the Registered Dietitian for Snap Kitchen overseeing their six Houston area locations. Hoban started appearing at Urban Harvest Farmers' Markets in late April of 2013 as the Ripe 'pop up cafe' serving a locally and seasonally inspired, fully plant-based menu and since then has expanded to offer catering and private chef services as well. Ripe has been featured in such publications as My Table, Houston Modern Luxury, Culture Map, and 002 Houston. For more information about Ripe Cuisine, please visit ripe-cuisine.com,facebook.com/ripecuisine, or on Twitter and Instagram @ripecuisine.
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.