Thank You!
16th Annual Celebrity Chef
Featuring Chef Rick Martinez • April 9, 2026
Together, we raised $657,402 in support of VNA's Meals on Wheels and charitable hospice programs.
Stay tuned for next year's event!
Together, we raised $657,402 in support of VNA's Meals on Wheels and charitable hospice programs.
Stay tuned for next year's event!
Thank you for being part of an unforgettable culinary celebration at the VNA Haggerty Kitchen. Your generosity turned an extraordinary day of food, culture, and connection into meaningful support for the patients and families we serve every day. We were thrilled to welcome Celebrity Chef Rick Martinez—James Beard Award winner, bestselling cookbook author, and beloved host—who traveled from Mexico to share the vibrant flavors, rich traditions, and bold spirit of Mexican cuisine, infused with his Texas roots. From the festive energy of the afternoon to the immersive evening experience, the kitchen was alive with creativity, community, and purpose.
This special event would not have been possible without the leadership and dedication of our Event Co-Chairs, Katie and Glen Edwards, and Sarah and Luke Pak, whose vision and commitment brought this celebration to life. We are also deeply grateful to our Honorary Chairs, Meaders and Robert Ozarow, for their steadfast support and advocacy for VNA's mission.
Because of your collective generosity—whether you joined us for Comida at the Kitchen, celebrated during Fiesta at the Kitchen, or supported the event in spirit—this day became much more than an exceptional dining experience. It became a powerful investment in compassionate, life-changing care. On behalf of our patients, families, clients, and the entire VNA team, thank you for believing in our work and for standing with us.
With sincere appreciation,
Chris Culak
President & CEO, VNA Texas
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our sponsors, whose partnership helped make this event such a success.
Atmos Energy
Lyda Hill Philanthropies
Della and Bob Best
Trio Community Meals
Sarah and Luke Pak; Kelby Hagar; Jennifer and Eric Austin; Rhonda Grimsley; Flauren and Jason Bender; Louise and Charles Marsh; Hallie and Max Lamont; Jordan and Marty Brainerd; Nichole and Chris Culak; Angie and Marshall Brackbill; Ana Katherine and Eugene Curry; Sally and George Dutter; Becky and Mike Casey; Ben E. Keith Company; Kimberly and Sam Cheema; Peggy Dear; Kevin and Dr. Kimberly Eden; Betsy Eisemann; Karen Pollock; Hirsch Family Foundation; HEB / Central Market; Nicolette and Miles Lamont; Leslie and Bob Krakow; Eugenia and Frank Paul King; Lacie and Pat Crow; Libby McCabe; Mavericks Foundation; MISA Imports; Susan and William Montgomery; MOB Family Foundation; Gwen and Doug Parker; Deedie Rose; Rosewood Foundation; Southwestern Medical Foundation and UT Southwestern Medical Center; Texas Capital; The Addy Foundation; The Javelin Group; Toyota North America; Vin and Caren Prothro Foundation; WellMed Charitable Foundation; and CiCi and Giffen Weinmann.
Misa Imports
Browse photos from an unforgettable day at the VNA Haggerty Kitchen with Chef Rick Martinez.
Chef Rick Martinez is a celebrated Mexican-American chef, author, food personality, and recipe developer who regularly contributes to The New York Times. Known for his vibrant, effervescent personality and innovative cooking style, Rick has received numerous accolades for his debut cookbook, including the prestigious James Beard Award for International Cooking, as well as two IACP awards for Best International Cookbook and Book of the Year in 2023. Born and raised in Austin, TX, and now based in Mazatlán, Mexico, Rick spent decades in advertising before following his dream of working with food. Rick graduated from the French Culinary Institute and worked under Dan Kluger at ABC Kitchen before working at Bon Appétit as a senior food editor. Years later, he discovered his true passion—to challenge misconceptions about Mexican cuisine. Through his work and cookbooks, he now showcases the vibrancy and diversity of Mexican food, highlighting its rich cultural heritage and how easily it can be incorporated into everyday cooking.
Rick on the Today Show :
Watch Now
Where Care Meets Cuisine: Rick's Reason for Becoming VNA's 2026 Celebrity Chef
We're honored to recognize the dedicated leaders who made this event possible.
Katie and Glen Edwards
Sarah and Luke Pak
Meaders and Robert Ozarow
Thank you for your generous support.
Flauren and Jason Bender
Jordan and Marty Brainerd
Becky and Mike Casey
Callie and Alper Cetingok
Sam and Kimberly Cheema
Sally and George Dutter
Kelly and Blake Edwards
Stephanie and Dan Fine
Lynn Fisher
Margaret and Brad Hirsch
Hallie and Max Lamont
Libby and Murray McCabe
Christi and Cory Morrow
Chase and Naya Park
Alex and Brielle Pollack
Eugenie and Scott Rogers
Pam Gerber & Suzanne Slonim, MD
Nancy and Steve Rogers
Catherine and Will Rose
Dr. David and Charity Wojciechowski
The Visiting Nurse Association of Texas (VNA) is a nonprofit that has played a critical role in community-based health care since 1934. We provide hospice and palliative care, nutritious meals and social connection for homebound seniors, and serve as the premier aging resource for North Texas.
Through your participation in Celebrity Chef, you helped ensure VNA can continue to serve the seniors of North Texas through programs like Meals on Wheels and charitable Hospice Care.
To learn more about the ways we're serving seniors visit the link below.
Robin Plotkin
Email: plotkinr@vnatexas.org
Call: (214) 725-3947
Jennifer Austin
Email: jennifer.austin@vnatexas.org
Call: (214) 384-9515
