Their dream to improve the quality of young people’s lives is what led celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse and his wife Alden, along with board members Mark Romig and Michael Thompson to cook up their annual full-weekend fundraising festival that includes “Boudin, Bourbon & Beer” and “Carnivale du Vin.”
Now in its 10th year, the weekend supports the Emeril Lagasse Foundation’s educational and culinary enrichment programs for children.
“Boudin, Bourbon & Beer” (BoudinBourbonAndBeer.com) will feature more than 50 of the country’s top chefs bringing their unique style of boudin and other specialty sausages to Champions Square.
The following evening, the elegant gala “Carnivale du Vin” (CarnivaleDuVin.com) will celebrate at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans. This milestone hails guest chefs Jimmy Bannos Jr., Jimmy Bannos Sr., Michelle Bernstein, Roy Choi and Jacques Torres.
“Honorary Bacchus” winemakers such as Au Bon Climat, Caymus and Williams Seylem return from years past to pour their fine wines. A “Top Ten U.S. Charity Wine Auction” by Wine Spectator features rare wines and once-in-a-lifetime culinary and travel experiences. Broadway star Michael Cavanaugh will provide entertainment for the gala, and Ty Pennington, co-host of new TNT cooking competition “On the Menu,” will emcee.
