Louisiana Chefs Unite for James Beard Foundation

The state's most celebrated chefs will come together at Kingsley House for a fundraiser benefiting the James Beard Foundation. Chefs have teamed up with each other and local farmers and fishermen to create a menu that is a true testament to the quality ingredients native to Louisiana.

Oysters, strawberries, crabmeat, shrimp, sweet potatoes, French bread, Tabasco hot sauce, Cajun caviar and rice are just a few of the ingredients that will take main stage with chefs including Donald Link, John Besh, Darin Nesbit and Frank Brigsten. Sure to be a delicious event, it will also be educational. Various purveyors will be on hand to teach guests about their industries, including Tabasco's Master Cooper, Hamilton Polk, who will demonstrate barrel making; and Popcorn rice farmer, Jimmy Hoppe will illustrate the process of growing his crops.

The Chefs for Louisiana Cookery event is in part a celebration of the announcement for nominees of the 2010 James Beard Awards, which will occur in New Orleans on March 22, 2010. The James Beard awards are the culinary industry's equivalent to the Oscars and are celebrated in May in New York City. Last year was the first time the award nominees were announced outside New York, and the chosen location was Chicago. Since 1986, the James Beard foundation has been on the forefront of America's culinary revolution, and remains North America's only historical culinary center. The 2006 Foundation Awards were a tribute to the culinary legacy of New Orleans, and proceeds raised from those ticket sales were donated to help rebuild small, classic New Orleans restaurants.

Chefs participating in this event have either cooked at the James Beard House in New York or have been recognized through their awards program. The majority of chefs are based in New Orleans, but other regions of the state will be represented, including Lafayette's own Holly Goetting from Charley G's Seafood. In addition to delicious Louisiana food, the event will feature live music and wine, beer and cocktails from Republic Beverage.

The event will run from 3-7pm at Kingsley House, 1600 Constance Street. Kingsley House (www.kingsleyhouse.org), a United Way Community Impact Partner, nationally renowned as the oldest Settlement House in the South, has served more than half a million people since it was founded in 1896. Today, the organization helps more than 7,000 people annually throughout Southeast Louisiana in a wide variety of nationally accredited and state certified community building programs.

Tickets in advance are $100 for regular admission and $150 for VIP ($75 and $125 for members of the James Beard Foundation). Tickets will be available through www.jamesbeard.org. Participating Chefs and Restaurants:

  Mark Quitney - 5 Fifty 5                

  Haley Bittermann - Bacco                

  Darin Nesbit - Bourbon House/Palace Cafe & Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse

  Frank Brigsten - Brigtsen's              

  McPhail - Commander's Palace            

  David Slater/Chris Wilson -Emeril's     

  Brian Landry - Galatoire's              

  Jacques Leonardi - Jacques Imo          

  Michael Farrell - Le Meritage           

  Michelle McRaney - Mr. B's Bistro       

  Gus Martin - Muriel's                   

  Richard Hughes - Pelican Club           

  Adolfo Garcia - Rio Mar, La Boca & A Mano

  Tariq Hanna - Sucre



  Andrea Apuzzo - Andrea's

  Susan Spicer - Bayona

  Holly Goetting - Charley G's Seafood Tory

  Emmanuel Loubier - Dante's Kitchen

  Greg & Mary Sonnier - Gabrielle at the Uptowner

  Donald Link - Herbsaint/Cochon

  Chuck Subra - La Cote Brasserie

  Justin Devillier - Le Petite Grocery

  Matt Murphy - M Bistro

  Kristen Essig - Nola Bean

  John Besh - Restaurant August

  Scott Boswell - Stella

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