Passions for art, culture, food and cocktails aligned at New Orleans Museum of Art Love in Garden, which was celebrated in the frolic-inspiring Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, home to more nearly 100 sculptures.
The party presented by Hancock Whitney on Sept. 22 started in the garden’s Herbert and Maija Kaufman Pine Grove, where the NOCCA Trio performed and guests got an early sampling of the night’s culinary offerings. Partygoers soon moved to the Booth-Bricker Fund Oak Grove, where Raw Deal performed, more food awaited — 25 restaurants participated — and the popular Cocktail Challenge presented by Sazerac cocktail was in action.
The 2023 winners of the challenge, of which they are given a theme, included: Zen Castro (Latitude 29, Espiritu and Turning Tables), who was the Best In Show with a cocktail made with Corazon tequila called Every Breath You Take with the LOVE theme of Unrequited LOVE and Lara Desmond (DBA NOLA and USBG), the Fan Favorite winner with Mi Familia, Mi Corazon made with Wheatley Vodka, LOVE theme: Unconditional LOVE. Other swoon-worthy participants included Chris Hannah (Jewel of the South), Sam Kiley (Dovetail and Turning Tables) and Mark Griffin (Pigeon and Whale).
This was the gala’s 18th iteration: it did not take place in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in 2021, because of Hurricane Ida.
Event co-chairs were Carroll Gelderman and Carter Perrilliat; NOMA Volunteer Committee chair is Elizabeth Grimes.
Fun Fact: Starting in 2023 and through 2024, NOMA will commemorate 20 years of the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, which opened in November 2003, with a selection of programming inspired by the garden’s natural and artistic beauty.
