A portrait of Rosemary Kowalski by Lionel Sosa.
MARCH 18, 2024 — UTSA will celebrate Women's History Month with an exhibit dedicated to the life and legacy of Rosemary Kowalski, an icon of San Antonio's hospitality industry. Attendees can learn about Rosemary's story through her photographs, recipes, appointment calendars and other personal mementos from her 70-plus-years career. The exhibit, which runs through April 1, is free and open to the public.
An opening reception will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. today at the John L. Santikos Building Foyer at the UTSA Southwest Campus. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP.
Kowalski, a catering legend and native San Antonian, serves as chairman emeritus of The RK Group. Founded in the late 1980s, the catering company has served hundreds of thousands of meals over more than 70 years at events featuring luminaries that include Pope John Paul II, Prince Charles, Billy Graham, Willie Nelson and Grace Kelly. Kowalski, who is nearing 100 years, is widely recognized as one of San Antonio's most successful businesswomen and entrepreneurs.
San Antonio artist Lionel Sosa painted a portrait of Rosemary Kowalski, an icon of San Antonio's hospitality industry.
Curated by the UTSA Libraries Special Collections, the exhibit will feature three sections representing Kowalski’s life journey.
The first will explore her personal life, showcasing photographs of her as a young woman, family snapshots, early menu agendas, initial catering gigs, staff appreciation events and recipe cards.
The second section will spotlight Rosemary’s catering services for first ladies Barbara Bush and Lady Bird Johnson, displaying photographs and keepsakes, including a complimentary letter from Johnson written shortly before her passing.
The final segment will highlight her work with VIPs and her charitable endeavors. This part of the exhibit will feature newspaper clippings from events such as the luncheon during Pope John Paul II’s 1987 visit to San Antonio, menus from the 1978 Chrysanthemum Ball and the Texas State Senate proclamation honoring Kowalski as the recipient of the seventh annual Arthur O’Krent Humanitarian Award from the board of directors for Boysville.
“Rosemary’s legacy as a pioneering businesswoman, entrepreneur, culinary star and civic leader is a vital part of San Antonio’s narrative,” said Amy Rushing, UTSA assistant vice provost of Special Collections. “We are honored to be custodians of her contributions and accomplishments, ensuring they are documented and preserved for future generations.”
Kowalski and The RK Group have supported UTSA for 32 years. Their generosity has advanced the Institute of Texan Cultures, the College of Liberal and Fine Arts, Athletics, the Alumni Association, President's Associates, and the Carlos Alvarez College of Business, where she created the Rosemary Kowalski Endowed Scholarship in 2002.
In 2017, she donated her personal and company records to the UTSA Libraries. This collection chronicles her journey as one of San Antonio's leading caterers.
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