ANNOUNCING 2026 “THE ROSEMARY” AWARD HONOREE FOR CULINARY ARTS & HOSPITALITY ENTERTAINMENT-ELIZABETH FAUERSO

WIFT TEXAS ANNOUNCES ELIZABETH FAUERSO AS ITS 2026 “THE ROSEMARY” AWARD HONOREE

Elizabeth Fauerso, Principal and Founder of EBF Development and Design Studio, will be Honored at The Celestial Awards™ Show on January 17th with “The Rosemary” Award for Excellence in Culinary Arts & Hospitality Entertainment, Named in Honor of Rosemary Kowalski on January 17th at The World-Class Tobin Center in Downtown San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO, December 9, 2025 – Today, Women in Film & Television Texas (WIFT Texas) is honored to announce Elizabeth Fauerso, the founder and CEO of EBF Development & Design Studio and one of Texas’ leading voices in hospitality, placemaking, culinary arts, and cultural design, as the 2026 recipient of “The Rosemary” Award for Excellence in Culinary Arts & Hospitality Entertainment, named in honor of the legendary Rosemary Kowalski, culinary arts pioneer and founder of the RK Group. At The Celestial Awards™ inaugural awards show in 2024, Rosemary accepted the honor and then bestowed the honor on Diana Barrios Treviño, who will present the award to Elizabeth Fauerso on stage at The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts in January — an authentic experience of women honoring women.

The Celestial Awards™ honor trailblazing women of achievement in the media and entertainment industry, recognizing excellence across all verticals. The awards show will take place on Saturday, January 17th, 2026, at The Tobin Center’s world-class H-E-B Performance Hall in downtown San Antonio, following the Texas Media+Entertainment Summit™ on January 15th and 16th at the Gunter Hotel. Actress and producer Renae Treviño will host the high-profile, entertainment-filled awards show.

“I’m deeply honored to receive ‘The Rosemary’ Award from Women in Film in Texas, an organization doing such important work here in Texas and beyond to elevate women’s voices and creativity. This recognition is especially meaningful because of my personal connection to Rosemary Kowalski — a trailblazer I had the privilege to work with, admire as a hospitality pioneer, and know as a dear friend of my grandmother,” said Elizabeth Fauerso Principal and Founder of EBF Development and Design Studio.

An eighth-generation Texan and proud Trinity University alumna, Elizabeth Fauerso has built a career rooted in the belief that design can strengthen community, elevate culture, and tell the story of a place. Through her consultancy, EBF Development & Design Studio, she shapes the future of hospitality, culinary arts, and placemaking across Texas and beyond — blending heritage, design, strategy, and storytelling into environments that feel both timeless and alive.

“Elizabeth Fauerso embodies the creativity, spirit, business savvy, and skills in the culinary and hospitality sectors that it takes to accomplish big ideas and make them a reality. I couldn’t be happier that the next honoree of ‘The Rosemary’ Award is Elizabeth,” said Diana Barrios Treviño, of Los Barrios Family Restaurants, and 2024 honoree of “The Rosemary” Award.

Before founding EBF Development & Design Studio, Elizabeth worked throughout Mexico, Europe, and the United States with brands including Levi’s, Robert Mondavi, Nestlé, and AT&T. She later joined the leadership team behind the celebrated Historic Pearl Brewery redevelopment, helping transform it into one of the most successful adaptive reuse and culinary destinations in the country. Her creative process is shaped by travel, design study, and a deep appreciation for regional culinary traditions — from vintage women’s club cookbooks to international foodways.

“Elizabeth Fauerso has redefined what hospitality means in Texas. Her work blends heritage, storytelling, design, and community to bring places to life and honor the cultures that shape them. She is grounded at the intersection of creativity meets sense of place, elevating experiences, flavors, and culinary storytelling that resonate far beyond the physical spaces she creates. Her transformational visionary work from the onset of creating the Pearl District in San Antonio, the home of Hotel Emma and the Culinary Institute of America, Michelin and James Beard recognized chefs, is one of the most lauded live, work, play, dine, visit, and discover destinations globally and is a career achievement. Not to mention her endeavors since founding her own company EBF Development and Design Studio. Honoring Elizabeth with “The Rosemary” Award is a tribute to her extraordinary vision and her unmistakable influence on Texas hospitality,” said Ceslie Armstrong, WIFT Texas CEO & Executive Producer of the Texas Media+Entertainment Summit™ and The Celestial Awards™.

“Elizabeth’s leadership reflects the very best of Texas hospitality: welcoming, intentional, and deeply connected to place and plate. Through her innovative approach to design and development, she has helped shape communities and cultural destinations that feel timeless, meaningful, and beautifully authentic. ‘The Rosemary’ award recognizes her transformative impact and her commitment to elevating the stories behind every space and bite,”said Eileen Kret, VP of Women in Film & Television Texas, Executive Producer of the Texas Media+Entertainment Summit™ and The Celestial Awards™.

ROSEMARY KOWALSKI’S 2024 STATEMENT:

“I am deeply honored and filled with gratitude to receive “The Rosemary” award for excellence in Culinary Arts & Hospitality. Throughout my career, I’ve always believed that ‘Attitude is Everything.’ This recognition is a testament to the dedication, passion, and positive spirit that drive our industry forward. I am excited to see this award inspire others to pursue excellence with the same commitment and enthusiasm that has guided me on my journey,” said Rosemary Kowalski.

WIFT TEXAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2024 ROSEMARY KOWALSKI STATEMENT:

Rosemary Kowalski made an indelible mark on San Antonio’s culinary arts and hospitality industry through her founding of The RK Group, which continues to revolutionize catering and event planning with its innovative approach, after her passing on December 10th, 2024, at the age of 100. Her commitment to excellence and community involvement extended beyond her business, through her active support, philanthropy, and educational initiatives. Rosemary Kowalski’s legacy will continue to be celebrated through “The Rosemary” Award for Excellence in Culinary Arts & Hospitality Entertainment at The Celestial Awards™, presented by Women in Film & Television Texas, and for elevating San Antonio’s culinary scene and fostering a culture of generosity and community engagement.