I'm writing a story about Monica, can I get her bio and photo?

You can download Monica's photos here and read her bio below -

Dubbed the "Alice Waters of the Third Coast," Texas-reared chef Monica Pope has been revolutionizing Houston's culinary scene since she debuted her first restaurant in 1992. As a high school student, she dreamed of “opening a restaurant and changing the way Houston eats.” Pope shares her passion for connecting local farmers and us, the co-producers, by hosting interactive cooking classes and Pop Ups in a Field or any beautiful place. Pope has enjoyed national recognition in the form of a James Beard Award nomination and a spot competing on the 2010 second season of Top Chef Masters on Bravo. She is still the only female Texas chef to be named a Top Ten Best New Chef by Food & Wine magazine thanks to her food philosophy, "eat where your food lives".

Hailed by Travel & Leisure magazine as "one of the most ingenious restaurateurs around," Pope first learned to cook from her Czech grandmother and went on to earn her Chef's title from Prue Leith's School of Food and Wine in London, UK. After working in Europe and San Francisco, she returned home to Houston to open the Quilted Toque, which was followed by a succession of acclaimed restaurants, including Boulevard Bistrot, t'afia and Sparrow Bar + Cookshop. Pope is the founding chair of Recipe for Success Foundation's Chefs Advisory Board. She most recently co-founded the organization, I’ll Have What She’s Having, with some bad ass doctors & chefs to help raise awareness and funds in support of women’s healthcare in the hospitality industry.

What farmers markets does Monica sell at?

Tuesday @ Rice Farmers Market
6100 Main St, Gate 6, Houston, TX 77005
3:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Saturday @ Urban Harvest Farmers Market
(in the Three Sister Farm's Tent)
2752 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, TX 77098
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Will Monica cook for you?

Yes. She'll cook with you, for you, at your home, ranch, backyard etc. Or she can do it all at the Cookshop.

She calls it Curated Catering and you can read more about it here.

What is a Pop-up?

Pop-up events are temporary, one-of-a-kind events in unique spaces. By definition, each pop-up event is different which lends to the excitement of these experiences.

What do Sparrows symbolize?

Sparrows are a symbol of hope and freedom, two important aspects of Monica's life journey. In fact, her upcoming memoir will be entitled Eating Hope.

What is Monica's favorite ingredient?

Salt

Does Monica donate auction items for fundraising events?

Yes. In the past, she has donated classes, dinner experiences, and gift certificates. Text Monica at 713-875-7496 and ask her for the donation options form.

What is Monica's superpower?

Storytelling (and she's got a hellavu lot of good stories to tell).

Will Monica open another restaurant?

In the traditional sense, no.

However, you can still experience her food and, more importantly, her "food philosophy" of encouraging people to engage, share, and gather through food. You can buy her prepared foods at the farmers markets, hire her to cater your next event, or attend her pop-up events and cooking classes.

What is Monica currently reading ?

Burn the Place by Iliana Regan