Fine wines and gourmet food, as well as an exuberant live auction, are the hallmarks of the Emeril Lagasse Foundation Carnivale du Vin.
Held at The Fillmore on Nov. 4, partygoers were treated like kings and queens the moment they arrived with champagne, cocktails, wine and food.
At the reception before the gala, Chefs Michael Mina (Estiatorio Ornos), Clare Smyth (Core) and Vlad Kogan (The Windsor Court Hotel) created tempting small bites. NOCCA Culinary Arts students under the direction of Chef Dana Tuohy prepared the five-course gala meal paired with wines: first course: blue crab salad; second course: Gulf snapper and Gulf shrimp; third course: foie gras and rice-filled quail; fourth course: braised short rib of beef and fifth course: café au lait beignet.
Additionally, students from the Emeril’s Culinary Garden and Teaching Kitchen, at the foundation’s local school partner Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy, prepared gourmet chocolates with herbs, collaborating with Piety & Desire Chocolatier.Â
Chef Andrew Zimmern served as the emcee while DawnMarie Kotsonis was the live auctioneer who expertly guided the bids, including a dinner at Chef Zimmern’s home for 10 with select wines from the foundation which went for $60,000. Those placing winning bids got a bit of lagniappe with a special bottle of G.H. Mumm Champagne to bring home. The silent auction offered 90 lots, with 64 of them having a wine component.
Entertainment was provided by Fleur de Tease and Big Sam’s Funky Nation. The funds raised at the gala go to the foundation, started by Chef Emeril and his wife, Alden Lagasse, which offers programs such as Emeril’s Culinary Garden & Teaching Kitchen, Community Grants Program and the Aarón Sánchez Impact Fund to inspire, mentor and enable youth to reach their full potential.
Fun Fact: Next year the foundation celebrates the 20th anniversary of Carnivale du Vin. Since its inception, the foundation has invested more than $20 million in children’s charities to support culinary, nutrition and arts programs.
