The lineup at this year’s “Chefs’ Charity for Children” included nearly a dozen superstar chefs. Each demonstrated their chosen dish on stage before a crowd of more than 1,500 people before serving it at lunch.
Chefs who participated were: Andrea Apuzzo of Andrea’s; John Besh of Restaurant August and 13 other properties; Leah Chase of Dooky Chase; Nina Compton of Compére Lapin; Justin Devillier of La Petite Grocery and Balise; John Folse of Restaurant R’evolution; David Slater of Emeril’s; Tory McPhail of Commander’s Palace; Greg Reggio of Zea and Mizado Latin Kitchen; Alon Shaya of Shaya, Domenica and Pizza Domenica; The Wong Brothers of Trey Yuen; and chef emeritus Goffredo Fraccaro formerly of La Riviera. Hilton Executive Chef Mark Dayanandan and his staff helped oversee the massive task of serving each chef’s dish.
For the event’s 40th anniversary, this year’s chefs were honored on stage during a special moment in the presentation, which featured a video produced by event chair Dominic Massa of WWL-TV. It also featured some former chefs, including chef Gunter Preuss and chef Goffredo Fraccaro, who were part of the first event in 1978.
Two special live auction items helped fundraise even more for St. Michael Special School: a seven-night stay at Chef Andrea Apuzzo’s villa in Capri, Italy and a tour of the set of “NCIS: New Orleans,” which included a walk-on role.
Event Chairs were Diane Drez Barnett, Nancy Colomb and Dominic Massa. Proceeds from this annual benefit support the St. Michael Special School, which educates children and adults with special needs through the greater New Orleans area.
EVENT AT A GLANCE
What: “Chefs’ Charity for Children,” benefiting St. Michael Special School
When: Thursday, March 16
Where: Hilton New Orleans Riverside
