From a spectacular sunset to a starry night, Magic in the Moonlight presented by Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust on Oct. 9, once again proved that it was an enchanting night of food, fun and friendship at New Orleans City Park’s Conservatory of Two Sisters and the New Orleans Botanical Garden.
One of the brightest stars of the night was Chef Sue Zemanick of Zasu, who was just about a month out from finding out that her restaurant would earn one Michelin star as part of the inaugural Michelin Guide American South.
On this night, she impressed guests with her cuisine: passed hors d’oeuvres of shrimp gougères; leek and mushroom coquettes; fig, cranberry and goat cheese crostini; potato and cheese pierogi and a truffle beef tartare. The meal progressed to a Little Gem salad with cucumber, tomatoes and radish topped with creamy Parmesan-black peppercorn dressing, followed by a sautéed snapper finished with a mushroom-dash broth served with marinated haricots vert, crimini mushrooms and Brabant potatoes. Dessert was a chocolate-pumpkin flourless cake topped with whipped cream and candied pepeitas. Wines included KJ California Brut Cuvée, Catalina Sounds New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc 2022 and La Crema Willamette Vallery Pinot Noir 2022.
A virtual silent auction raised even more funds for the park’s botanical garden. Stephen Sonnier was the event’s honorary chair.
“It was wonderful celebrating Magic in the Moonlight with our co-chairs Katherine Duncan and E. Lee Mead and all of the guests who supported the New Orleans Botanical Garden,” said Rebecca Dietz, president and CEO, City Park Conservancy.
Fun Fact: The New Orleans Botanical Garden and Pelican Greenhouse cultivated over 26,000 annuals and vegetable plants last year.
