Recently in Playing With Our Food Category

Texas-born designer, Lele Sadoughi has become a cult favorite of the Mommy & Me set with her signature headbands and handbags. Now expanding into clothing and teaming up with iconic brands like Lily Pulitzer and Barbie, Lele and her daughter will make a personal appearance on November 7 at Fashion in the Fields presented by Neiman Marcus at Hope Farms.

The annual fundraiser, chaired by Sippi & Ajay Khurana, emerging after several COVID delays, will begin with donor's children featured on the catwalk alongside the Neiman's pro manequins sporting the latest fashions, followed by brunch prepared by an impressive collection of Houston chefs. The laid back, yet supremely staylish Sunday afternoon event has become a family favorite through the years, and we are delighted to see its return. 2021 event proceeds will go toward distributing healthy Hope Farms produce to area families in need. "Covid 19 has shone an even brighter light on the food access inequities in our commuity," says Founder & CEO, Gracie Cavnar. "It fills our hearts to be able to put healthy food on the tables of families in need."

For more information and tickets: CLICK HERE

We have planned what we are affectionately calling a Texas Two Step that gives our fashionable friends the chance to pay it forward. While we postponed our big fall luncheon and fashion show to November 2021, we added a reason to smile and get dressed up this fall, too with a safe, socially distanced affair for a fabulous few.

Working with our chair, Sippi Khurana, designer Lela Rose and her team as well as stylist Melissa Sugulas, and our friends at Tootsies, we have created a VIP styling experience for all our our supporters and fans who buy their 2021 tickets and tables now. So, buy early and enjoy two for one! On October 21, 2020 the insider VIP event, The World of Lela Rose, will be a hybrid virtual and in person affair featuring spring trunk shows from across Lela's collections, fabulous food from Salata, Drinks to Match your Dress from Tito's and a live styling presentation when Lela will Zoom in to visit with Joy Sewing, the Houston Chronicle Fashion Editor and Fady Armanious, Creative Director at Tootsies.

The gifts will flow for our VIP insiders, from the chance to win Lela's fashions and darling pearl mask lanyards from Pearl to fresh roses from Flower Child. Donors who commit to tables and tickets now for 2021, will be invited in October. This will allow our generous supporters to leverage two years' budget for higher profile positioning at the 2021 Fashion in the Fields. Get your tickets for Fashio inthe Fields 2021 today and snare your spot on the door list for this fabulously fashionable affair in October 2020 at Hope Farms. Tickets/Tables here.

This December we welcomed Chef Kevin Naderi of Roost for a hands-on family cooking class to explore holiday favorites with a healthy twist. After taking our food adventurer oath, the class perfected their knife skills with a Fall Harvest Salad, spotlighting our Hope Farms winter harvest of kale, arugula, green onions, and radishes. A tofu green goddess dressing that would turn any ranch lover was a hit with the kiddos, not only for a new and exciting flavor profile, but also the bonus of using the immersion blender!

As an accompaniment to the salad, students whipped up a warmed cranberry and goat cheese spread to top a toasted artisanal sourdough loaf, courtesy of The Breadman Baking Company, that demonstrated proper zesting, peeling and folding techniques. One would have thought that our young chefs were participating in a holiday cookie-decorating contest with the prescion used in crafting the beautiful crostinis!

Moving into the second course, a Butternut Squash Bisque, Chef Kevin emphasized the importance of knowing how to measure ingredients properly. A little nutmeg can go a long way! Chef Kevin also expanded on how substitutions can be made to recipes to create a healthy alternative, in this case by swapping the dairy out for coconut crème and offering an optional sautéed apple and turkey bacon relish as garnish for a flavor explosion! Our mission of combatting the devastating impact of #childhood obesity paired with #growinghealthykids by empowering the next generation of food consumers to make mindful eating decisions is the reason we are so focused on creating these opportunities for learning the culinary skills to live healthier lives.

The class rounded out with Dutch Oatmeal Stuffed Apples roasted in cast iron skillets over an open flame. The kids were fascinated with Chef Kevin's lesson on grill safety! After a quick farm tour, stopping off for eggs at the chicken coop, the apples were ready to come off the fire and were served with Chef Kevin's own Tahitian Vanilla Bean ice cream from his Houston Heights Sweet Bribery on 19^th street (He just HAD to bring the goods!!). As the parents and children sat down together to share a meal and talk about their favorite moments from the class, the smiles were plentiful and talk of how the day's recipes were to be incorporated into this year's holiday tables was in the air! We are extremely grateful for Chef Kevin Naderi who continues to teach, empower and inspire healthy eating in our community! We are tremendously appreciative of his support to fuel our award-winning work in Houston and across the country.

If you or someone you know is interested in our interactive cooking classes for adults and families, check out the upcoming class schedule here or register for our January 4^th Adult Cooking Class here!

Over 400 volunteers and members of our boards and committees pitched up on a Saturday morning to kick-off the holiday season with a complimentary breakfast from our newest community partners Snooze Eatery to benefit the Foundation. We all had a delicious time and raised an outstanding $2,700 to benefit Seed-to-Plate Nutrition Education™ in our Showcase Schools--MAcGregor and Rodriguez Elementarys in Houston. Who doesnt love pancakes? Next event with Snooze will be a Pancake Breakfast at Hope Farms to kick-off our free Earth Day Family Festival at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday April 6. Pictured above, Advisory Board (AB) member Karen Penner with her family.

It was an SRO crowd that filled the Gathering Barn at Hope Farms for Recipe for Success Foundation's inaugural, Fashion in the Fields presented by Neiman Marcus. Over 400 HTX blossoming #ItMoms, hubs, family, friends, farm fans and Recipe for Success devotees turned out despite ominous skies for a day of fashion, food and fun. The event raised more than $200,000 towards RFS's mission to combat childhood obesity by changing the way children understand, appreciate and eat their food.

Recipe for Success Founder and CEO, Gracie Cavnar was front and center welcoming one and all to the event that featured a Neiman Marcus fashion show and a jaw dropping southern' inspired brunch by Culinaire. She was the first to quip that the overwhelming looks seen on the ladies was "farm girl cold weather chic", music, walk-abouts and shopping capped off a day that was anything but ordinary!

The inauguration of the Robert and Janice McNair children's garden kicked off the day. This interactive space is used by Hope Farms to educate and inspire even the youngest of future farmers. It was filled from start to end of day with kids and parents who delighted in new play equipment and activities.

Guests entered the Gathering Barn where they found the Farm's Market Stand transformed into a chic boutique. Featuring a Recipe for Success "Farm Store" and a Neiman Marcus pop-up with Dolce&Gabbana Smeg Collection and Armenta Jewelry. Waiters stood at attention with trays of Bloody Mary's, mimosas and wine. Event Chairs Stephanie Fleck and Melissa Sugulas, both who share a long-standing commitment to the foundation, were thrilled at the support from their farm fans and chic chicks. Drawing smiles all around were the arrivals of the child "models" whose parents tried their best to wrangle - and for some included managing off sleep schedules of several drowsy young'uns.

Celebrity emcee, KPRC 2 - Houston Life anchor, Courtney Zavala welcomed the buzzy group to the event that kicked off with a Veteran's Day salute to the farms' own veteran farmer trainees Christopher Katthage and Jose Montemayor. Each took a turn on the runway to the applause of all. The trainees at Hope Farms work alongside the farm team as they learn the skills and knowledge to be urban farmers.

Cavnar and husband Bob awarded Chef Kevin Naderi of Roost as Chef of the Year. He was given the award for his unwavering support of the foundation, volunteering for more than a decade in the classroom, at dinners and for inspiring healthy eating in children.

Next it was time for the Neiman Marcus fashion show which was kicked off by half-pint models including the children of Courtney & Buck Baker, Amanda & Terry Boffone, Bobby & Kristen Cavnar, Julie Longoria & Stephen Chen, Elizabeth & Alexander Dwyer, Melissa Juneau, Lara Kopriva, Barbara & Lance McKnight and Courtney Zavala. When the professionals hit the runway, all eyes were on the posh showing of fall fashions titiled "The Art of Fashion."

All this must have made the crowd famished, as they made a beeline for the lavish brunch served in a separate venue featuring shabby chic inspired tables topped with mix and match vintage china and glassware, farm fresh florals and chandeliers made out of stag antlers. Live music by Socialite kept things festive as everyone tucked into plates of flower garden salads served family style at the table, buttermilk fried chicken, gulf shrimp crawfish, white cheddar grits, zucchini and sweet pepper frittatas, roasted & grilled farm vegetables, four bean salad and an array of fresh baked biscuits and muffins. A three-tiered display of cupcakes had even the most stringent diner off their diets.

The day concluded with Gracie's gentle prompting for funds to support the Foundation and Hope Farms programs. Allison Casey adopted a veteran for a month and John Lindley bought a fruit tree in honor of his wife, Cherie. Zavala and Cavnar drew turns with the Live Raffle drawing that featured 1836 Olive Oil, Dolce&Gabbana Gourmet Collection and an Armenta Jewelry bracelet and necklace.

SPECIAL THANKS TO - Neiman Marcus,1836 Olive Oil, Armenta, Brothers Produce, Culinare, Dr. Mark's Zo Skin Care, Peerless Tents, Saint Arnolds Brewing Company, Smiles Gone Wild, Socialite Entertainment and Titos Handmade Vodka.

Once upon a time there were two pigs...But unlike the classic children's tale, these two piggies didn't escape. They became dinner for 65 partygoers at the fall 2018 Chefs in the Field pig roast at Hope Farms. The evening featured farm-fresh produce and heritage pigs from Jolie Vue Farms donated by emeritus, founding board memeber Glen and Honi Boudreaux. The event, held on the bucolic grounds of the farm, raised more than $10,000 toward RFS's mission to combat childhood obesity by changing the way children understand, appreciate and eat their food.

The Sunday night supper kicked off with cocktails and hors d' oeuvres in the Chef's Garden. Guests sipped a Treaty Oak Caught Red Handed Bourbon cocktail, St Arnold's Oktoberfest beer and vintages curated by Monopole Wines as they enjoyed the fresh breezes that blew across the seven-acre urban farm. As dusk tuned to night, guests were ushered into the Gathering Barn by founder and CEO Gracie Cavnar. Two long tables set family style were decorated with flickering candles, fall gourds, vegetables and flowers. Vintage chairs from Native Citizen gave a hip, industrial vibe, as did the mid-century modern furniture placed in the barn's entry.

Chefs participating in the evening rolled out all the stops in spite of the bare bones culinary set up. Taking a page from the 'glamping' trend, Cavnar, in typical high-octane mode, cheered on the chefs as they worked their magic.

Erin O'Leary Stewart of DEFINE foods kicked off the family style service with a fall slaw made with apple, kale, orange miso dressing and grilled eggplant with almond feta, chili and honey. The brightly colored dishes sparkled in the candlelight.

Chefs Mayank Istwal and Shivek Suri of Musaafer and Chef Tommy Laczynski of Fig & Olive supplied the main courses. Tommy earned kudos for being at the farm at 2:00 a.m. to start the coals for the whole pig he roasted for more than 18 hours. His dish - Pimenton Espelette Smoked Whole Hog with L'orange Sauce - was accompanied by fennel and citrus slaw and a seafood paella done in a massive demonstration pan.

Mayank and Shivek, whose Musaafer will open in early 2019, flew in from India just for the dinner and wowed the diners with their Portuguese-influenced Roti Pey Boti Pork marinated in spices from India's Goa coastal region. It was cooked sous vide for 28 hours then slow roasted. The succulent pork was served on fenugreek-flavored flatbread on wooden dinnerware made just for the dish and accompanied by dipping sauces and house made condiments.

As with any Recipe for Success event, fashion was obviously top of mind for the chicly attired throng. Taking cues from fall fashion magazines, western wear, plaid and hand-tooled cowboy boots made the scene.

Bold faced types included - Recipe for Success founder Gracie Cavnar with founding Board Members Honi and Glen Boudreaux, current Board Members, Bryan Christ with his wife, Stacey, Genevieve Patterson with husband Shawn, Bill Baldwin with partner Fady Armanious, Bobby Cavnar, Stephanie Fleck--who is also chairing the upcoming Fashion in the Fields event on November 11, with her husband Ryan; Neekie Kashani, Lyndsey Zorich, Amanda Boffone, Julie Longoria Chen and Courtney Baker--all co-chairing November 11 event, as well as Gordon Bethune with Jessica Rossman, Gayle and Lloyd Bentsen, Patrick LeVrat, William Shoemaker and Denny Stygstra.

SPECIAL THANKS TO: Ai Culinary Institute, Brothers Produce, Claire Smith, DEFINE body & mind, Bianca Ferrer, Fig & Olive, Half Moon Lettering, Jolie Vue Farms, Monopole Wines, Musaafer, Native Citizen, St Arnold Brewing Company and Treaty Oak Distillery.

It's a summer tribute to the wonderful tomato! The Recipe for Success Foundation's next Chefs in the Field Supper at Home Farms will take place on June 24, helmed by chefs Alyssa Dole (Pinkerton's Texas Pit Barbecue), Wayne Nguyen (Maba Pan-Asian Diner), and Martin Stayer (Nobie's). Just 10 minutes from downtown, the evening at Hope Farms features a cocktail and tomato tasting session and a three-course meal created by the chef trio. Thanks to inkind donors and volunteer chefs, 100% of the ticket sales support the Foundation's mission to combat childhood obesity.

Hope Farms is growing 32 varieties of heirloom tomatoes, and the chefs will create dishes from the beloved fruit freshly harvested from the 7-acre urban farm. Festivities begin with cocktails and a tomato-tasting and continue with a meal staged at one long table in the farm's Gathering Barn. Tickets for cocktails and the tomato tasting are $75; the $250 ticket includes cocktails tomato tasting and a three-course seated meal with wines. CLICK HERE for tickets.

Delicious Alchemy: The Banquet is sure to be the dining event of the season. On May 7, you and 99 other guests (tickets are limited, so don't delay ... secure yours here) will gather at the lakeside home of Lisa and Michael Holthouse, our hosts for the evening, to celebrate culinary excellence: You'll enjoy 10 courses created by 10 chefs -- paired with wonderful wines -- stellar conversation and music, and a bucolic Memorial setting.

Recipe for Success would not be where it is today without the ongoing support and help of some dedicated chefs, and this year's Delicious Alchemy Banquet brigade is an exciting one: Arturo Boada (Arturo Boada Cuisine); Vincent Celeste (La Table); Olivier Ciesielski (L'Olivier); Giancarlo Ferrara (Amalfi); Maurizio Ferrarese (Sud Italia); Felix Florez (owner of Black Hill Ranch); José Hernandez (Lucienne); Kevin Naderi (Roost); Hassan Obaye (Le Colonial); and Claire Smith (Canopy). Martin Preferred Foods has generously given our culinary creators free reign through their catalog of gourmet deights. All of these chefs bring great talent to the mix, and their diverse backgrounds are sure to produce a dégustation that you'll remember for a long time. We'll unveil the menu shortly, so stay tuned.

Want more? Celebrated Italian designer, Brunello Cucinelli is a signature sponsor for the evening, and his style and grace -- and passion for all things culinary -- promise to make this year's Delicious Alchemy the best yet.

Nearly $200,000 Raised to Support the Foundation's Mission!

We are thrilled to announce our second annual Delicious Alchemy Banquet was a run-away success! The energy in the room was buzzing and not just because the wine and spirits were flowing freely (because they were)! There is such joy from a sharing a meal and scintillating conversations with friends old and new. To finish it off with a sweet note, we are delighted to report that we raised nearly $200,000 to help fight childhood obesity and food injustice! This couldn't have happened without wonderful guests, our hard-working chair, Karina Barbieri, our gracious hosts, Becca and John Thrash, our amazing chefs, and generous sponsors, including Bonneté, Beviamo International, Sysco, DR Delicacy, D'Artagnan, Lexis Florist, Socialite Entertainment, and Chopard. You can check out all the fabulous photos!

The splendid evening was hosted in the exquisite Thrash home, and one hundred special guests were treated to ten delicious courses from chefs all committed to the mission of Recipe for Success. Martha de León of Pax Americana; Ryan Pera of Coltivare, Eight Row Flint, and Revival Market; Kevin Naderi of Roost; Justin Kouri of Recipe for Success; Bryan Caswell of Reef, El Real, and Little Big's; Wayne Nguyen of Maba Pan-Asian Diner; Kiran Verma of Kiran's; Greg Martin of Bistro Menil, Robert Del Grande of Cafe Annie; Barbara McKnight of Culinaire; and Claire Smith of Shade and Canopy all crafted course designed to tantalize the guest's palate and then shared heartfelt stories on why partnering with Recipe for Success is so important to them.

Thoughtfully paired with each course were beautiful Italian wines from Jack Fassetta's Beviamo International, and elegant French wines and cognacs from Jean-Francois Bonneté. Guest raved over the opportunity to compare delicious wines from two renowned wine regions.

In the transition from dinner to the el proste presentation, complete with dry ice swirling around three delectable desserts, a live auction featured four unique items. Our winners included, Marnie Greenwood who will soon be sipping on vintage Bache Gabrielsen Cognacs with twenty of her closest friends; Bill Baldwin who walked away with artwork by Kermit Oliver thanks to Hooks Epstein Gallery, Robert Tijerina who snatched up the gorgeous Chopard necklace, and Bo Collins and Rene Carson who will soon be sipping and supping their way through Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Cognac, France, thanks to the generosity of Jean-Francois & Nathalie Bonneté.

Completing the evening, Gracie Cavnar unveiled her plans to plant a lasting tribute to her dear friend Mickey Rosmarin, at the Foundation's Hope Farms. Rosmarin was an early champion of the Foundation's mission to combat childhood obesity, so it's only fitting that Mickey's Grove surrounds Hope Farms with gorgeous fruit trees to provide not only nutritious food for the community, but a beautiful and peaceful walking path. Guests were given the opportunity to plant a tree in Mickey's Grove for $1,000 in his honor.

This memorable evening was a huge success and brought into focus the important aspects of Recipe for Success, friends, good food and a commitment to providing accessible fresh produce to all communities.

We received lots of great press--read all about it!

Houston's Top Chefs Cook a $2,500 Dinner for a Fancy Crowd -- and a Beloved Foodie Charity Force Wins

10-course banquet with 20+ wines is the Recipe for Success at gourmet dinner party for a delicious cause

Recipe for Success' 'Delicious Alchemy' makes a splash

Delicious Alchemy for Recipe For Success

On September 27th, Greg Martin of Bistro Menil (pictured here) along with 20 more of Houston's delicious chefs, 20 remarkable artists, and a dozen delectable boutique wines, sprits and craft beer makers, will gather at The Four Seasons Houston to dazzle the senses of party goers at the final celebration of our 10th Anniversary.  Tickets from $250 per person and tables from $1500 are available by CLICKING HERE.

We're teaming up with EatingWell to help you Eat More Vegetables! There's one simple change anyone can make to eat better and be healthier: Eat more vegetables! And the folks at EatingWell Magazine are challenging themselves and us to eat 30 vegetables in 30 days! The Eat More Vegetables Challenge kicks off today and you can find healthy recipes to try a different vegetable every day as well as helpful tips for buying, storing and prepping your veggies all HERE! 

And to help you at home- EatingWell Vegetables is the ultimate book to help anyone make that change--deliciously. Written by the editors of EatingWell magazine, this book offers step-by-step basic cooking instructions with full-color photos for 101 vegetables, plus 200 easy vegetable-packed (though not necessarily vegetarian) recipes. Get it in stores in June!

Join the EatingWell Magazine group on VegOut! Race with EatingWell staffers and readers to reach the top of the leaderboard: Who can up their veggie game the most? And join EatingWell online--on Facebook, Instagram and eatingwell.com--where we'll be featuring recipes for 30 different vegetables in 30 days this June. We'll also be giving away a copy of EatingWell Vegetables each day on our Facebook page.

As we gear up to honor Houston's most stylish mothers and daughter at our annual Dress for Dinner: Fashion Gene Awards we will be highlighting these fabulous women! 

These ladies show that fashion really does run in their genes! 

One of the honorees are Mother, Jana Arnoldy, and her daughters, Lauren Barrett and Lindley Arnoldy. When asked how they would describe their mother/daughter's style they described themselves as elegant, confident, fresh and colorful! And we couldn't agree more! 

We loved how they described their shared love of fashion as Jana said her daighters helped keep her updated and modern while mother inspired her daighters with perfect hand-me downs and encourages them to explore color and print! 

We hope you can join us on May 4 at Tootsie's!  Fashion show begins at 6:30 and we would love for you to stay for dinner featuring Chef Barbara Friedel McKnight and the Culinaire - Inspired Cuisine and Events team. You can learn more and buy tickets HERE!  

Help us toast Jana, Lindley, Lauren and all of our wonderful and stylish mothers and daughters! 

Book your tickets now for the 7th annual Fashion Gene Awards when we honor Jillian Boss & Jacqueline Fair; Kimberly, Christine & Jo Lynn Falgout; Tammie Johnson & Brittney Leigh Randolph; Alexa L. & Vanessa Sendukas; Lindley Arnoldy, Jana Arnoldy & Lauren Barrett and Duyen H., Anais, Lauren, Cholé & Misha Nguyen on May 4 at Tootsies. Get your tickets today!

Help us celebrate Spring and the men that have given their time, support and energy to support Recipe for Success Foundation and our mission to end childhood obesity. When we think of the Men We Love, we think of strength, dedication, support and style! And then men we are honoring at M. Penner, have it all! 

We are pulling out all the stops to throw a grand Dress for Dinner party on Tuesday, April 12, with cocktails and a fashion show followed by a seated dinner. Our honorees will be the stars of the show when they take to the runway decked out in M Penner's latest fashions. The third annual sartorial salute to men hosted by M Penner and Event Chair, Carrie Colbert, is a part of the fashionable Dress for Dinner fundraising series that benefits Recipe for Success Foundation. Click below for more information and to purchase tickets! 

The #VegOut2016 Challenge is 1 week away and we thought we would throwback the countdown with our #VeggieRiot video!  VegOut! takes grocery stores by storm as customers dash to get their favorite veggies as VegOut! soars demand high and everyone is trying to eat the rainbow! What is your plan of action to combat the #veggieriot for the 30 Ways in 30 Days Challenge this year!

After moving into an historic home, Bill Baldwin, who also owns Boulevard Realty, gained a new appreciation for inner-city farming and the value of locally grown produce. "Back around 2008, I fell in love with a 1908 home in the Woodland Heights," says Bill Baldwin. "The entire journey of restoring the home and moving into it inspired me to get into old-fashioned ways. I built a chicken coop and got a dozen chickens. I got into beekeeping, organic gardening and pursued local organic food whenever possible. I was motivated to teach local neighborhoods to feed themselves. I wanted to teach kids that eggs don't come from grocery stores, they come from chickens!" When Baldwin discovered the synergies between his enthusiasm and the mission of Recipe for Success, he became an enthusiastic supporter.  Last year he hosted a fundraiser for the Foundation in his home.  In 2016, he's taking it a step further.  An offhand conversation with Gracie about the kitchen being the heart of the home, inspired his collaboration with DJ Palmore to dream up their Heart of the Home Tour slated for February 13-21 to benefit our cause.

Get your tickets for the Afton Oaks Heart of the Home Tour

• Open House Ticket(2/13,2/14,2/20,2/21) - $10 per person 

• VIP Dinner (Tues. 2/16) - $200 per person or $350 per couple. This ticket gives you access to an exclusive VIP dinner with special guests Chef Ryan Pera and Morgan Weber. 
• This ticket gives you access to the open house taking place on any of these days between 11 AM to 5 PM. 

Recipe for Success Foundation honored founding board members and agents of change at the annual Blue Plate Special Café Harvest Market & Awards Luncheon on November 18. Chairs Arvia and Jason Few and Kristen and John Berger topped fundraising goals thanks to the sold-out crowd of 400 guests attending the event at River Oaks Country Club, which garnered over $200,000 for the Foundation's award winning programs to combat childhood obesity.

In a special nod to the Foundation's tenth anniversary, founding board members, Amy Anton, Glen & Honi Boudreaux, Phyllis Childress and Kim Tutcher, along with early advisor, Peg Lee were honored for their seminal efforts to launch the non-profit in 2005 and sustained support throughout the intervening decade.

Robert Del Grande, chef-partner of RDG+Bar Annie and James Beard Award Winner, was thanked for being a founding member of the Chef's Advisory Board and named Chef of the Year.  Del Grande was instrumental in designing the Foundation's signature Seed-to-Plate Nutrition Education™ curriculum, and has long volunteered in fourth grade classrooms to teach children to cook as well as hosted many fundraising events through the decade.

Lance Gilliam, Real Estate Developer and Philanthropist, received the fifth annual Mayor's Award: Champion of Food Justice, in recognition of his assistance in launching Hope Farms, the Foundation's urban agricultural and farmer training site. After accepting his award, Gilliam commandeered the mic and asked the audience to step up with him to underwrite the costs for more schools to get the Foundation's Seed-to-Plate Nutrition Education™ started.  He raised $10,000 on the spot.

KPRC 2 Anchor, Rachel McNeill expressed the importance of nutrition education for our youth - citing the tremendous impact Recipe for Success has made through their Seed-to-Plate Nutrition Education™. While, Co-Chair Kristen Berger remarked how, "Looking at these children and seeing how this program effects them and teaches cultural tolerance as well as healthy food is what really roped me in."

Mistress of Ceremonies, Rachel McNeill, of KPRC 2 set the tone for the spirited luncheon program where ex-fashion editors, turned authors Laura Keogh and Ceri Marsh of How to Feed a Family: The Sweet Potato Chronicles demonstrated their easy family-friendly recipes and shared their golden rules to cooking.

Notables also in attendance included:. Former Mayor Bill White, Holly Alvis, Rachel Hovnanian, Bob Cavnar, Jessica Rossman, Drew Anton, Kristy Bradshaw, Mimi Del Grande, Susan Criner, Roz Pactor, Marsha Smart, Todd Waite, Laurann Claridge, Mary Fay Way, Susan Padon, Anne Kinder, Kara Vidal, Cathy Brock, Jennifer Gilliam, Isabel David, Estela Cockrell, Elizabeth Petersen, Bill Baldwin, Anita Smith, Brenda Love, Clayton Erikson, Peter Remington, Tina Pyne, Janet Cockrell Genevieve Patterson, Ileana Trevino, Laura Jaramillo, Denise Monteleone, Jeff Shell, Kelley Lubanko, Susan Sarofim, Sis Johnson, Marsha Montemayor, Rudy Guera, Valerie Dieterich, Kimberly Albright, Karen Garcia, Leisa Holland Nelson, Susan Pye, and Roxanne Neumann.   Enjoy photos from the event in our Flikr Album linked here:

Time to put on your favorite Aquazzura stilettos and party with designer, Edgardo Osorio! Please join Carrie Colbert on Wednesday, October 28 from 6pm - 8pm for our second Dress for Dinner of the season!  You won't want to miss the fun at Saks Fifth Avenue!  Buy your tickets here!

Just look at the fun we had last month!

Time to say goodbye to summer trends and say hello to fall fashion! Please join us on Wednesday, September 2, to kickoff our 10th Anniversary season. The party, which includes light bites by PESKA Seafood Culture, and takes place at Elaine Turner Boutique in glamorous BLVD Place. This festive shopping party kicks off the Foundation's 10th year of pursuing its mission of combatting childhood obesity. This year's Dress for Dinner fashion series is chaired by noteworthy fashion blogger Carrie Colbert. CLICK HERE to RSVP and find more on our upcoming events!

Indian chef partners with River Oaks philanthropists for one of tastiest dinner parties ever. By Shelby Hodge - May 18, 2015 

Chef Kiran Verma, who seems to never stop smiling, was grinning with extra verve during Recipe for Success' "The Flavors of India" dinner party in the River Oaks home of Bobbie and John Nau. For not only did the hostess dress up her garden with tented Indian party flair but guests fully embraced the theme, many dressing in saris and modern Indian dress.

Liz and Andy Stepanian, the Nau's daughter and son-in-law, joined in co-chairing the dinner evening and all three hosts (John Nau away on business) dressed to the nines, Bollywood style.

Read the whole story.

Gracie & Bob Cavnar launched the 2015 season of We're Cooking Now! A Gala in Small Bites with two sold out events in late March. April's exciting dinners featured seafood, Spanish cuisine and the art of the easy gourmet! Guests at the remaining Small Bites fundraiser dinners happening in May will delight in the exotic flavors prepared by celebrated chefs and be inspired by the latest collections from top fashion designers - with two of the May dinners featuring tabletop accents by Christofle! Savor dishes prepared by acclaimed chefs, such as Chef Danny Trace of Brennan's, Chef Barbara McKnight of Culinare, Chef Kiran Verma of Kiran's and Chef Charles Clark of Ibiza Food & Wine Bar, Coppa Osteria and others. Chef Clark's event is the final dinner in the 2015 series and takes place in the exclusive penthouse at the Four Seasons!

 See the full 2015 season page to buy tickets or view the official invite.

Cinco de Mayo is a day of colorful celebrations and a fiesta of flavors. From loaded enchiladas to fishbowl-sized margaritas, it's easy to forget about a balanced diet. If you're looking to add a few more vitamins to your Cinco de Mayo happy hour, try our vibrant Almost-Healthy Mexican cocktail. It will have you saying, "Orange you glad there is tequila in this?"

The Almost-Healthy Mexican Cocktail

Recipe by Jusin Kouri 

INGREDIENTS

2oz Tequila

2oz Carrot Juice

2oz Orange Juice

1oz Pinapple juice

1 oz Jalapeño syrup (recipe below)

1 Jalapeño slice, for garnish

PROCEDURE

Combine all ingredients in a shaker filled with ice. Shake until shaker forms condensation. Strain over ice in a highball glass. Garnish with jalapeño slice. 

Jalapeño Syrup

INGREDIENTS

1 cup Sugar

1 cup Water

1 Jalapeño, quartered (include ribs and seeds)

PROCEDURE

Combine ingredients in a small pot over high heat and bring to boil. Remove from heat and all to cool completetly. Strain. Discard jalapeño. Keep in air-tight container until needed. 

¡SALUD!

There's a new spice shop in town, and they want YOU to join them for the grand opening of their Rice Village location. We want you there, too, since VOM FASS has generously offered to donate FIVE PERCENT of sales from their entire opening weekend to Recipe for Success Foundation, starting Thursday. Even better are all the FREE activities and tastings going on for the celebration. Check out the lineup and plan to stop by and doing some holiday shopping for your favorite food lovers, Thursday, November 20 through Sunday, November 23... See you then!

Learn more about VOM FASS here.

On October 29, join chairs Leisa and Laura in launching our first runway show of  Dress for Dinner, Season VI, featuring personal appearance and fashion presentation by Sachin & Babi, followed by an exclusive VIP dinner with the designers.

Tickets for runway show and reception are $50; dinner is an additional $300.

Season show tickets are available for a special Early Bird rate at 10% discount through the night of the event. All season ticket holders will be included in a drawing to win two tickets to Houston Fashion Week.

Learn more about VIP packages and purchase tickets here.  

Summer's sipped its last gasp, so wave goodbye to ice-drowned drinks, barely dressed salads bursting with juicy market finds and the breeziest of sundresses to focus our sights instead on the season of respite. In particular, we are thrilled to celebrate fall fashion with you.

Please join us on Tuesday, September 2, to ring in the season with style and kickoff our SIXTH season of the annual Dress for Dinner fashion series. They party, which includes light bites, will be hosted by homegrown designer David Peck in his brand new David Peck USA showroom.  The design house is generously donating 20% proceeds from sales during the soft opening soiree to Recipe for Success Foundation, so come prepared to shop.

We're pleased to announce that our friends at Prohibition Supperclub & Bar will soon open a  downtown location.  Before they kick things into full swing, the 1920's-inspired venue will host a pop-up dinner at Kraftsmen Bakery in the Heights on Thursday, August 14 at 7pm.  Guests will enjoy a sneak peek at new menu offerings by Prohibition's chefs Ben McPherson and Matt Wommack. The downtown Prohibition location will feature a raw bar, tasting menus, fresh seafood and classic dishes.  All proceeds from Prohibition Test Kitchen ticket sales will generously be donated to Recipe for Success Foundation to support our efforts to make healthy eating fun and easy. 

Purchase your tickets at ProhibitionHouston.com.

We're excited to share with you that a new healthy food concept will soon call Houston home: True Food Kitchen has set down roots on Post Oak at San Felipe, providing a delicious and nutritious option for dining near the Galleria. Even more exciting, we're honored that True Food Kitchen has selected Recipe for Success Foundation to benefit from a special pre-opening charity dinner.

Please join us for this special event on Friday, July 25, for a taste of the healthy, delicious dishes on offer. Attendance is free, but any donations will directly benefit our efforts to educate kids about healthy eating and combat childhood obesity.

Please note that seating is limited. To RSVP for your preferred seating time, email [email protected].

Bruliam Wines will join Chef Monica Pope at Sparrow Bar + Cookshop on Tuesday, June 24, for a four-course dinner with exclusive wine pairings.

Bruliam Wines is a boutique producer of vineyard designated wines. They source their fruit from California's finest vineyards to provide world-class wines. Then they donate 100% of those profits to the charities that you choose. If you're lucky enough to live your dream, it's most satisfying when everyone shares the harvest.

For this special event, Bruliam Wines will be auctioning off two large format bottles (1.5 L).  Auction profits will be matched up to $500, with all funds donated to Recipe for Success Foundation.

Curious about Bruliam Wines? Find out more about their unique nonprofit wine concept here.

Learn more about the event and purchase tickets for the sure-to-be fabulous dinner here.

Sign up your lil' foodies to join us this summer for Eat This! Summer Camp! During five-day sessions offered in June and July, campers, age eight to eleven, learn to become savvy food consumers through fun hands-on activities at RecipeHouse, our cozy home in the Museum District. 

Campers cook, garden and learn how food is developed and marketed. They culminate the week by turning their summer bounty into a healthy and marketable food product. Through hands-on learning, we prepare young consumers to navigate manipulative marketing tactics used to sell unhealthy foods. Plus, we make it TASTY and tons of FUN! 

Even more fun? One kid-created food product will be selected by Revival Market to sell on their shelves this fall!

Find dates, more info and registration forms here or email Marisol Castro. 

Join chairs Leisa Holland-Nelson and Laura Max Nelson and Recipe for Success Foundation at Tootsies on May 7 for the season finale of Dress for Dinner and the 2014 Fashion Gene Awards! We'll be celebrating mothers and daughters whose style sense is to be envied with a very special fashion show, followed by an exclusive dinner catered by Chef Barbara McKnight of CULINAIR.

Reserve your tickets today!

On April 22, Great Gatsby meets Earth Day when this spectactular Lazy Lane private garden sets the stage for a runway presentation of fashion designer Jonathan Blake's Spring and Fall Collections, followed by an equally sophisticated seated dinner styled by Chef Clark of Ibiza, Coppa and Brasserie 19. Join us in the home of Kristy Phillips and Rob Taylor for "A Garden of Earthly Delights" for a whimsical evening of fashion and food! 

We're Cooking Now! A Gala in Small Bites is an annual series in which Houston's most gracious hosts throw dinner parties featuring gourmet meals, cooking demonstrations and exquisite food and wine celebrations, showcasing Houston's finest chefs in fabulous homes and fun venues, sprinkled throughout the spring to benefit Recipe for Success Foundation. Learn more and purchase tickets here.

On Wednesday, March 26, chairs Leisa Holland Nelson and Laura Max Nelson invite you to join us for posh fun at Neiman Marcus for next up in Dress for Dinner, Season V. The fashion show will feature collections and a personal appearance by designer Nanette Lepore, followed by an exclusive Dinner with the Designer by Chef James Ashley in Mariposa.

We hope you'll join us!

Learn more and purchase your tickets here.

One of the best kept secrets - that Houston has a positively fantastic food scene - is getting around, bringing some of the most talented chefs to set up shop in our hometown.  One of the newest spots set to open March 15 is Bradley's Fine Diner. 

Two-time, James Beard Award-winner Chef Bradley Ogden and his son Chef Bryan Ogden will host the Grand Opening Celebration for Bradley's Fine Diner, 191 Heights Boulevard, from 6 pm until 9 pm on Saturday, March 15, 2014, which will benefit Recipe for Success.

The evening will begin with a private wine and hors d'oeuvre reception with Chef Bradley Ogden, during which he will sign his latest cookbook, Holiday Dinners with Bradley Ogden, then progress to a grand reception which will feature a silent auction of three items: Chef for the Day at Bradley's Fine Diner (includes a Chefs Tasting Menu with Wine Pairing for Six, a Wine Dinner for Six, and a Wine Tasting for Six.  Ticket Cost: $150 for Private Reception with Chef Bradley Ogden, which includes an autographed cookbook; $50 for Grand Reception.

Read more at the Houston Chronicle's food blog here.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bradleys-Fine-Diner/178056559032329

Monday, February 17, 4-7pm, to celebrate healthy living, veteran Recipe for Success supporter Chef Monica Pope of Sparrow Bar + Cookshop has joined up with healthy living expert, mother and author Molly Shattuck for a FREE family-friendly event. 

Stop by for cooking demonstrations with Molly and Monica, plus complimentary tastings and a book signing! 21% of sales from her book Vibrant Living will benefit Recipe for Success Foundation and our efforts to combat childhood obesity by changing the way children eat.

RSVP is free, but tickets are required. Snag them here!

This holiday season, show that special   someone how much they mean with a gift that truly DAZZLES.  Shop Deville Fine Jewelry throughout December and 10% of proceeds will benefit Recipe for Success!  

Use the code RFS13 in store and onlineat checkout to have your purchase to help us empower local kids to make healthy eating decisions for life.

Planning a meeting, lunch, party or other special event this holiday season? Tired of the same old, drab catering offerings?

With corporate catering from RELISH Fine Foods, you'll not only savor the occasion, you'll be helping children lead healthier lives. For the month of December, RELISH is donating 15 percent of corporate catering proceeds to Recipe for Success.

Learn more and view RELISH's Corporate Catering menus here.

Chairs Gracie and Bob Cavnar and the Board of Directors of Recipe for Success Foundation invite you to join us for A Harvest Market and Awards Lunch, Tuesday, November 19, at The River Oaks Country Club.

Join us to honor our 2013 Blue Plate Special Cafe Award Winners.  This year's honorees are:

Honi & Glen Boudreaux / Mayor's Award: Champions of Food Justice

Ryan Pera / Blue Plate Speical Chef of the Year

Olga Abundis / Golden Whisk Teacher of the Year

Brooke Candelaria & Suzanne Williams / Golden Whisk Volunteers of the Year

Join us to celebrate their achievements and efforts to help create a healthier Houston community.  Come early to enjoy this indoor bazaar featuring the best of locally produced small batch foods, produce, meat, cheese and more from area farmers and handmade gifts from a range of wonderful local vendors.  We will also announce the winners of our fantastic raffle prizes!

Learn more and buy your tickets here. 

Join Recipe for Success Foundation and Dress for Dinner, Season V Chairs, Leisa Holland-Nelson and Laura Max Nelson, for the second round of our annual fashion series. Elizabeth Anthony | Esther Wolf will host Fashion in Four Courses, a runway show of their fall collection, complete with reception and delicious small bites by Arcodoro. We hope you can make it!

All Dress for Dinner event proceeds benefit Recipe for Success Foundation's efforts to combat childhood obesity by changing the way our children eat. Learn more about our annual fundraising fashion series and purchase your tickets here.

Join Recipe for Success Foundation and 2013 Dress for Dinner Chairs Leisa Holland Nelson and Laura Max Nelson in welcoming world-renowned Italian shoe designer Giuseppe Zanotti for a special fashion event at Saks Fifth Avenue all about dressing up your feet. We hope you can make it!

Learn more about our annual Dress for Dinner fundraising fashion series and purchase your tickets here.

Our awesome partners at Chipotle Mexican Grill are running a flash fundraiser for us at their South Shepherd location in Montrose. The beauty of it? All YOU have to do is swing by for dinner and mention Recipe for Success Foundation. Then, THEY will donate 50% of proceeds from your order to benefit our Seed-to-Plate Nutrition Education™ programming. So pencil in a Chipotle night for Thursday, September 19, between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and don't forget to tell all your friends to meet you there!

Learn more about our partnership with Chipotle here. See a map for the participating location here. 

This year's Blue Plate Special Cafe Harvest Market and Awards Lunch on November 19 at River Oaks Country Club will honor founding RFS board members, Glen and Honi Boudreaux.  Owners of Jolie Vue Farms, a beautiful grass fed beef and Berkshire pig operation in Brenham, Texas the Boudreauxs have long been advocates of urban agriculture, farmers markets and everything else that shortens the distance from farm to plate.

The Blue Plate Special Café Harvest Market & Awards Lunch raises critical funds to continue our vital growth of Seed-to-Plate Nutrition Education™ in Houston schools.  Beginning with a Harvest Market of locally made products and progressing to a feast of seasonal delights designed by the kids participating in our program, this charming event has emerged as a yummy prelude to Thanksgiving and a perfect way to celebrate the tradition of the shared meal. 

We're excited to honor amazing people like the Boudreauxs who have made a profound difference helping Houston children lead healthier lives.  Other awards include Chef of the Year-Ryan Pera,  Volunteers of the Year-Brooke Candelaria & Suzanne Williams and Teacher of the Year-Olga Abundis.

Tables and tickets are available.  Email [email protected] for details.

Exciting news! Starting this week, our wonderful community supporters at Greenling have teamed up with Playa Viva resort to give away a beach vacation in Zihuatenejo, Mexico. The winner of their Sustainable Summer Giveaway will receive an all-inclusive 6 day / 5 night stay for two adults in a deluxe suite at Playa Viva's eco-friendly resort. You can enter multiple times throughout July in a variety of ways, including adding a $5 donation to Recipe for Success Foundation to any Greenling delivery orders for a bonus entry. Great local produce AND a chance to DoGoodHaveFun? We're totally on board with that.

Visit Greenling's blog for more details. 

June 25 Whole Foods Market at Montrose will be hosting a Book Launch Party to celebrate local author and RFS supporter Shubrha Ramineni's latest book, Healthy Indian Vegetarian Cooking. Come have fun, sip wine, nibble on yummy bites, win fabulous prizes, and receive a copy of Shubhra Ramineni's new book to take home with you, all while supporting Recipe for Success Foundation... all for $20! Get your tickets now to reserve your spot. Children welcome, with free admission for those under 16 years!

Learn more and buy your tickets here.

The mother-daugther honorees of this year's Fashion Gene Awards held their own on the runway at Tootsies for the season finale of Dress for Dinner. The runway show was followed by a decadent dinner crafted to The French Cowboy, Philippe Schmit. Thanks to our wonderful chairs, Ceron and Todd Fiscus, and to our event committee, attendees and sponsors for a fabulously stylish season and helping us raise record funds this year! 

See more photos from the event here.

As always, spring with Recipe for Success has been full of fun! We're wrapping up our event season with VegOut! in Style, the season finale of We're Cooking Now! A Gala in Small Bites. The dinner party, co-hosted by Divya and Chris Brown and Claire and Rick Thielke will feature a menu of "clean, well-edited flavors and textures" by chef Kevin Naderi of Roost who is currently up for Food & Wine's Best New Chef award.

Learn more and book your tickets here.

On March 20, Chairs Gracie & Bob Cavnar kicked off the We're Cooking Now! A Gala in Small Bites series, with evenings scattered throughout the spring that run the gamut from haute cuisine to hot cookin'--something for every taste and style. 

View the invitation and find more info for the 2013 season.

After an incredible kickoff with Badgley Mischka and Saks Fifth Avenue last fall, it's almost time to continue the Dress for Dinner Season IV festivities with Act Two, with the Lafayette 148 Spring Collection presented  by designer Edward Wilkerson. Hosted by Ceron and Todd Fiscus, the stylish event takes place at Neiman Marcus on March 19. Following the runway show, a limited number of guests will take part in an exclusive Dinner with the Designer in Mariposa with a special menu by Chef Barbara McKnight. 

We hope you can make it! Learn more and purchase your tickets here.

Our friends at Farmhouse Delivery whipped up wonderful party plans at Rain Lily Farm to celebrate the publication of Eat It! Food Adventures.  We are doing it again in the spring of 2013.  Gather the kids and plan to join us.  Reserve your tickets HERE (additional child tickets available at the door), or RSVP with your Farmhouse Delivery Form.

Dress for Dinner series chairs Cerón and Todd Fiscus of Dallas presided over the party that saw an exceptional turnout of Pretty Young Things.  Read the entire story and see the photos here.