In keeping with the jazz-themed Club XLIV venue, “Cookies & Cocktails & All That Jazz” was the theme of the Girl Scouts Louisiana East’s third annual gala. Nearly 300 guests attended the gala, which supports GSLE and its leadership development program for girls. In honor of the Girl Scouts, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome was lit up in green!
Event Co-Chairs included Girl Scout Board Member Dr. Allison Augustus-Wallace and WVUE-TV news anchor Nancy Parker.
Twenty chefs and bartenders from New Orleans area restaurants made one-of-a-kind appetizers, desserts and cocktails using Girl Scout cookies. Guests and judges sampled this array of delicious selections throughout the evening, voting on their favorites. Guest Judges included NFL analyst Mike Detillier; community medicine physician and health educator Dr. Eric D. “Doc” Griggs; food columnist Kristine Foreba of the Uptown Messenger; and host of WWNO’s Out To Lunch Peter Ricchiuti. At the end of the evening, emcee and “News With A Twist” reporter Kenny Lopez awarded the cookie competition winners with an engraved highball glass, while all participants received an engraved shot glass.
Jazz vocalist Anaïs St. John performed for the whole evening, and a special impromptu performance with her band was made by Nancy Parker on the drums.
Approximately 50 items were donated for the online silent auction, including a framed George Rodrigue Blue Dog print, an Audubon Nature Institute overnight camping experience, two signed pieces of art from Terrance Osborne and a Girl Scout-inspired Nyx purse. Partygoers also participated in a cookie swap: Each guest received a wrapped box of Girl Scout cookies, which they could swap with another guest if they desired another favorite variety.
EVENT AT A GLANCE
What: “Cookies & Cocktails & All That Jazz,” benefiting Girl Scouts Louisiana East
When: Saturday, February 4
Where: Club XLIV
