Gracie Cavnar: March 2011 Archives

A Gala in Small Bites Kicks off on a High Note

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By Gracie Cavnar on March 10, 2011 8:19 AM 0 Vote 0 Votes
Gorgeous voices of Houston Grand Opera performers filled the air in our apartment transformed for the occasion into a Venetian palace, where iconic Chef Tony Mandola wowed us with his delectable dishes on this Mardi Gras. 

Enjoy my photos from the event and consider coming to one of the eleven other dinners that pack the season.  We're Cooking Now! a gala in small bites celebrates friends and food, but most importantly raises critical funding for Recipe for Success efforts to combat childhood obesity.  Thanks to generous underwriting, 100% of the ticket sales go toward our Seed-to-Plate Nutrition Education™ programs in Houston elementary schools.  See the spring schedule and book your tickets here.  See you at the table!


Dress for Dinner with Nicole Miller a Huge Hit with Recipe for Success Fans

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By Gracie Cavnar on March 4, 2011 8:07 AM 0 Vote 0 Votes
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Thanks to an enthusiastic turnout of supporters and generous underwriting from Neiman Marcus, Catering by Culinaire and Central Market,  Dress for Dinner and Dinner with the Designer, Nicole Miller on March 2, raised $13,200 to benefit Recipe for Success Foundation's programs to combat childhood obesity.

 

Always up for a stylish time, Event Chairs Roz Pactor and Isabel David along with Neiman Marcus General Manager, Bob Devlin recently threw one of the season's most fashionable parties to benefit Recipe for Success Foundation.  The second event in this year's series of three, the show and dinner took place at Neiman Marcus Galleria and featured canapĂ©s and a three course meal by popular Chef Barbara McKnight. 

 

But the biggest hit of the night came when gorgeous Neal Hamil Models strutted down the runway in Nicole Miller's latest collection, sending her fans into rapturous rounds of applause for dress after dress.  Phone cameras were clicking and guests were live tweeting in the electrified room.  D4DMar2crowdapprove.jpgIn addition to the chairs, host and designer, the 150 guests included Recipe for Success founder, Gracie Cavnar, Dress for Dinner founding chair, Jeff Shell, Janet Gurwitch, Yvonne Cormier, Claire Cormier Thielke, Leisa Holland-Nelson, Susan and Annie Criner, Kim Bartee, Linda Kuykendall, Elsie Eckert, Lenny Matuziewski & Tamara Klosz Bonar, Karen and Roland Garcia, Heather Pray, Amanda Crump, Laura Tinamus, Jennifer LeGrand, Lynn Guggolz, Shannon Hall, Marcus Sloan.  Ann Coffey and Sheldon Kramer, executives with BBVA Compass, treated twenty of their clients to the show.

The nearly forty guests, who donated a premium to attend the Dinner with the Designer immediately following the fashion show, were well rewarded with a beautifully executed meal created by Chef McKnight who extensively researched the designer's favorite foods.
D4Dmar2dinner.JPG "How did you know?" exclaimed Miller when perfectly crusted lamb appeared as the main course framed by a brilliant array of spring vegetables.  Fashionably svelte guests including Nancy Golden, Crystal Wright, Amy King and Audrey Cochran practically licked their plates clean.  Appearing for a standing ovation after dinner, McKnight--who is an very active member of the RFS Chefs Advisory Board--shared her experiences volunteering with the program and her view of its impact on children. 

  

Pleased Neiman Marcus executives are already planning their Dress for Dinner benefit for 2012.  "We were thrilled to have such a fantastic turnout for Recipe for Success--having  Nicole Miller with us just made it that much better.  Everyone keeps telling us how much they loved her stunning dresses!" enthused Stacey Swift.   

 

More images from the evening can be found here.

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