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Founders & Co-Producers

Constance McDerby

More than 20 years of experience in the media industry provided the perfect background, contacts and knowledge to launch the first multi-faceted culinary and wine event in the 4th largest city in America: Houston, Texas. In 2001, Constance had a burning desire to celebrate the unacknowledged culinary talent in the Houston Metro Area while bringing a high quality destination signature event to the city. With lots of contacts and connections who were excited about the vision, Food & Vine Time Productions was born with the first event attended by 1,000 eager participants. Wine companies, restaurants, sponsors, as well as media partners were met with success from participation and continued to support the growth of events.

20 years later, Food & Vine Time Productions continues to bring quality lifestyle events to Houston. Signature events include Wine & Food Week (one of the top 10 destination culinary and wine events in the United States, drawing visitors from all over the world), Zest in the West, Katy Sip n Stroll, Nach-Yo Ordinary Tequila Tasting, For the Love of Whiskey, Ladies of the Vine, Platinum Wine Vault, Wine Knot 4.0, and The Houston Chronicle's Culinary Stars.

To date, Food & Vine Time’s efforts have raised over $1 Million for the dozens of charity benefactors who seek our support.

Constance lives in West Houston with her life partner and husband of 30 years, Clifton McDerby along with their pride and joy, Chance McDerby. The McDerbys enjoy travel, meeting new people, assisting others in fulfilling their dreams, and taking in every moment of life.

Constance's affiliations:
Houston West Chamber of Commerce, Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce, The Woodlands Chamber of Commerce.
Committee Member of Women Driving Business, Board of the West Houston Leadership Institute, Executive Leadership Team of Go Red for Women Northwest Chapter, Cinco Charities KSNS Committee, WHLI Auction Committee.

Clifton McDerby

Clifton started in "show business" as a young adult when his father, owner of West End Marine, helped launch the New Orleans Boat Show. The New Orleans Boat Show became one of the leading shows in the country under his father's leadership and was eventually sold to a global event production company. Clifton purchased West End Marine from his father and grew the business into one of the top 10 boat dealerships in America by Boat & Motor Dealer Magazine. In the off season, the showroom at West End Marine was transformed to a magical holiday wonderland. Due to the unique approach, a separate holiday commercial decorating division was formed under Clifton's ownership and decorated hotels, casinos, commercial buildings, etc. Christmas Ltd. grew to locations in Metairie, the French Quarter, Slidell and Lafayette all in south Louisiana. Clifton sold the retail and commercial holiday business and moved to Houston in 2000.

Along the way, he worked with international consumer and trade shows assisting in floor management, move-in and event production. Due to his success, companies sought him out for consultation. He, along with his wife Constance, formed a marketing and consulting firm, VIA Growth, Inc. which guided businesses on marketing, branding, visual audits, training and advertising. Clients included Mail Boxes Etc., Smoothie King, UPS Stores, GNC, DMG World Media as well as private businesses. In 2002, Food & Vine Time Productions was launched to bring consumer culinary, wine and craft beer lifestyle events to the 4th largest city in America.