Alex Hitz

In Honor of Chef Narvell Patton
Hosted by the HMA Black History Month Committee

Cocktails, Lecture, Dinner & Book Signing

Thursday, February 9, 2023 | 5:30 – 9 p.m.

SOLD OUT!

Valet parking available

Alex Hitz is an award-winning American celebrity chef, culinary speaker, columnist, event designer, tastemaker, and expert host. He was named “the very best host in the world” by The Wall Street Journal. His first book, My Beverly Hills Kitchen, and first Rizzoli cookbook, The Art of the Host, are widely popular. He is a contributing editor for Town & Country and writes regularly for C Magazine, Quest, and Southern Living. Hitz is a former food editor for House Beautiful, a post he assumed from Ina Garten. He has appeared on numerous television and radio programs, including Today, and lectures frequently around the country. He splits his time between Atlanta, New York City, Los Angeles, and Palm Beach. His latest cookbook, Occasions to Celebrate, features recipes by Huntsville’s own Chef Narvell Patton.

Narvell Patton is a caterer and owner of Catering by Narvell. Taught to cook by her mother at the age of 7, Patton developed a love for cooking that served as a means of taking care of her family, but became a platform to share her food with people from all walks of life. One of 5 children of sharecroppers Bernie and Georgia Allen, Patton often cooked meals for her family while her parents worked in the fields. In 1998, the opportunity presented itself to start her own catering business. With the help and encouragement of her daughter and husband, she became a licensed caterer and opened Catering by Narvell. She, along with her staff, have cooked for a plethora of people including astronauts, governors, actors and renowned musicians. She caters corporate events, private parties, weddings, lunches and cocktail parties. Although she can cook a wide range of foods, Southern comfort food is her specialty.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic created challenging times for Catering by Narvell. One by one, the large events scheduled were cancelled. Patton decided to offer weekly Sunday dinners for curbside pickup. Serving the community and keeping her staff employed were her main objectives. Today, Patton continues to cater events of all sizes sharing the love of God and her passion for cooking.


Thank you, Sponsors!

Lead Sponsors:

Doris Burwell Foundation
Butch and Jerry Damson | Susan and Bruce Park | Danielle and Deke Damson
Anne Robinson
Linda Smith
Cathy and Bill Stender

President’s Circle Sponsors:

Cynthia and Rey Almodovar
Boyce Concepts
Betsy and Peter Lowe
Mullins Special Occasions
Lee and David Nast
Parker Griffith Family Foundation
Charlotte Schlittler and Ronnie Boles
Ina and Garrett Smith
Jean Templeton
Jane Troup
Walker’s Market
Allen and Tom Young

Artist’s Circle Sponsors:

Charlie and Wayne Bonner
Bobby Bradley and Charley Burruss
Robbie Burlison
Candy and John Burnett
Xan and Tim Curran
Sarah and Carl Gessler
Milton Harris
Patsy and Frank Haws
Dr. and Mrs. Michael K. Johnson
Carole and Buddy Jones
Dee and Richard Kowallik
Judy Maxwell
Jean and Jerre Penney
Rev. Doctors Amanda and Jack Ragland
Dianne and Jim Reynolds
Robert Carey Food Group
Randy Roper and Ken Rivenbark
ServisFirst Bank
Kitty and Jay Simmons
Flo and John Stallworth
Lady Shivers Tucker
Wendy Yang and Rick Myers
Ruth and Allen Yates

Wine Sponsor:

Church Street Wine Shoppe

2022-2023 Series Sponsors:


Event Committee:

Co-Chairs:

Jane Troup & Jean Warren

Event Committee Members:

Sara Ahearn
Beverly Alm
Jane Brocato
Bobby Bradley
Leslie Crosby
Leslie Evans
Sarah Gessler
Holly Hall
Amy Harper
Patsy Haws
Carole Jones
Betsy Lowe
Kelli Markwalter
Beth Morring
Jean Penney
Kate Noble Purvis
Tabby Ragland
Dianne Reynolds
Betsy Robinson
Cathy Scholl
Missy Walker

Black History Month Committee Members:

Co-Chairs:

Bobby Bradley & Dianne Reynolds

Committee Members:

Ina Wilson Smith
Herman Stubbs
Denise Swain
Lady Shivers Tucker