Pick up the April/May issue of My Table magazine for a reflective look at the last ten years from our Founder and CEO, Grace Cavnar. You can also read the issue digitally here.
March 2016 Archives
If all goes according to Gracie Cavnar's plans, her groundbreaking Recipe for Success actually will be breaking new ground in April - on a real working farm in Houston's Sunnyside neighborhood that will provide fresh, affordable produce to people who need it most.
Read the full article in the March 2016 Houston Gives section of the Houston Chronicle or click HERE if you are a digital subscriber.
Former winner of the Recipe for Success Foundation Golden Whisk Volunteer of the Year award, Suzanne Williams, is our 2016 March Volunteer of the Month! We sat down with Suzanne at our office, where she generously shares her time and talents, to ask her a few questions:
What sparked your interest to volunteer with Recipe for Success?
I had recently retired and was looking for a volunteer opportunity that combined a passion, healthy food, with a big issue in America today, childhood obesity.
How long have you been volunteering and at what locations?
I think I began volunteering at Recipe for Success Foundation in the fall of 2012. I'm usually at the office but enjoy helping out at the evening events and the annual luncheon too.
What keeps you coming back week after week? What are your favorite things to do or experience when you are volunteering?
I keep coming back because I believe in the cause, enjoy working with the great group of people in the office, and am made to feel useful.
What does volunteering bring to your life outside of your volunteer work?
Volunteering makes for a more balanced life. It feels good to donate time and effort to others.
Do you have a favorite memory / story thus far?
While working at the social events, it's gratifying to see all these people take time from their busy days to support the mission of Recipe for Success. I've seen supporters show up during heat waves and rain storms.
It's Recipe for Success Foundation's 10th Birthday: where would you like to see the organization in another 10 years?
I'd like to see Recipe for Success Foundation programs in every state in 10 years as well as childhood obesity rates declining.
What are some ways that you enjoy contributing to Recipe for Success' mission to combat childhood obesity?
I feed my own child healthy foods, I donate time and money, and I spread the story of Recipe for Success whenever I can to friends and acquaintances.
Was there a particular experience in your life that shaped your attitudes towards food and nutrition in a positive way?
I'm lucky. I prefer healthy food to unhealthy foods (most of the time!) and enjoy trying out new recipes on my family. Plus I married a man who is a passionate marathon runner and whose goal is to run all 50 states. He wouldn't get very far with that goal if we didn't eat nutritious foods.
Last week I attended the Recipe for Success Foundation's Dress for Dinner event at Neiman Marcus. This was the 5th event organized by Season 7 Chair, Carrie Colbert. Carrie and Neiman Marcus invited couturier Rubin Singer to host. Rubin Singer is an amazing talent, and is distinguished by the title of couturier which is different from the blank umbrella term, Fashion Designer. Rubin Singer rose to fandom after designing Beyonce's 2013 Super Bowl performance outfit. Rubin Singer arrived a few days early to host a trunk show at Neiman Marcus for their patrons. I was able to sit down with the designer for an interview, which will be on my blog later this week.
Read the full article HERE.
The scoop: Dress for Dinner, the Recipe for Success Foundation's fundraising series that combines stellar fashion with great food, teamed with Neiman Marcus to feature the designs of Rubin Singer, whose creations are favorites of celebrities, including Tracee Ellis Ross,who recently wore one of his slinky black gowns to the NAACP Image Awards, and Beyoncé, who thrust Singer into the spotlight when he created her costumes for her halftime appearance at the 2013 Super Bowl.
The scoop: Dress for Dinner, the Recipe for Success Foundation's fundraising series that combines stellar fashion with great food, teamed with Neiman Marcus to feature the designs of Rubin Singer, whose creations are favorites of celebrities, including Tracee Ellis Ross,who recently wore one of his slinky black gowns to the NAACP Image Awards, and Beyoncé, who thrust Singer into the spotlight when he created her costumes for her halftime appearance at the 2013 Super Bowl.
WITH RUNWAY MODELS STARVING THEMSELVES to fit into the coveted size two, it's no wonder the fashion world has a bad rap for giving in to superficial standards. That's why we were delighted to be on hand for an exclusive runway show at Neiman Marcus Houston, where Recipe for Success kicked off the first of their annual Dress for Dinner spring events chaired by Carrie Colbert, and with special guest designer Rubin Singer. The night celebrated the love of food and fashion. Guests were treated to a lavish evening filled with champagne and cocktails, couture fashions and tasty vegetable munchies by chef Kevin Naderi from Roost.
The Recipe for Success foundation is the brainchild of Houston author and fashionista Gracie Cavnar. What began as a grassroots effort to get vending machines out of elementary schools has turned into the largest nutrition education program in the country, started right here in Houston. The foundation's programs connect children to their food via the trademarked Seed-To-Plate nutrition education, not only in Houston schools, but coast to coast with affiliate partners from California to Washington, D.C.
Read the whole artilce HERE.
Chef Antoine Ware, of Harold's in the Heights, dazzled guests with a vegetable focused menu in honor of National Nutrition Month and Recipe for Success Foundation's healthy eating initiative VegOut!
Harold's is a farm-driven southern cuisine restaurant located in the heart of the Heights on 19th Street. Executive Chef Antoine Ware brings his New Orleans flare to Owner Alli Jarrett's South Carolina classics to create upscale southern dishes in a friendly environment. The 95-year-old building where Harold's resides on the second floor, features original brick walls, barn wood tables and local artists' art. Their rooftop terrace is the perfect place for brunch, lunch or dinner as diners can enjoy the hustle and bustle of Heights shoppers from a bird's eye view.
His menu took diners on a delicious adventure beginning with whole wheat flatbread with spinach, tomato and basil peston and exquisit tuna tartar. The Gumbo Z'Herbs with smoked turkey tickled tastebuds and was filled with nutritious greens with a spicy kick! Keeping with the local and delicious, guests were then treated to seared gulf snapper with turnips, local mushrooms, collard green and roasted bell pepper coulis! What a delicious evening!
Be sure to visit Chef Antoine at Harold's in the Heights!
Fashion designer Rubin Singer sat cozily with his arms folded as Neal Hamil Agency models sauntered out wearing pieces from his collection. It's a rare moment for any designer to have a front-row seat to their runway show. Most are backstage.
At Neiman Marcus Thursday night, Singer was beaming at the Recipe for Success Foundation's Dress for Dinner event, chaired by Carrie Colbert. His collection of sophisticated, sculptural gowns and dresses drew applause and "ahs" from the stylish audience. Read the rest of the article and see the photos HERE.
