Sydney and Walda Besthoff were honored at “LOVE in the Garden” Presented by Hancock Whitney, which hosted 1,600 at the New Orleans Museum of Art.
For the first time, the new Besthoff Sculpture Garden expansion opened for the Patron Party, where guests mingled to the sounds of the NOCCA Trio and enjoyed a special appearance by the 610 Stompers presented by Sazerac Company. Cuisine was provided exclusively by Commander’s Palace.
The LOVE Cocktail Challenge celebrated its sixth year in 2019. Featuring 10 of New Orleans’ top bartenders, challengers vied for first place by creating a signature LOVE-inspired cocktail based on their blind drawing of a LOVE cocktail theme and a type of spirit. Themes included Forbidden Love, Love/Hate, Lust, Unconditional Love, and Unrequited Love. A panel of judges – John Cruse of WGNO, T. Cole Newtown of Twelve Mile Limit and The Domino, and Daniel Victory of Victory – awarded First Place and Best of Spirit awards. Guests awarded the “People’s Choice” cocktail by dropping a “token of LOVE” in their favorite libation’s “LOVE bank.”
The 2019 Challengers included Jessie Carr of La Petite Grocery, Henry Chamberlain of Company Burger, Anna Giordano of Longway Tavern, Chris Hannah of Jewel of the South, Jennifer Hussey of Justine, Konrad Kantor of Manolito, Chris McMillian of Revel, Sarah Town of Twelve Mile Limit, Steve Yamada of Latitude 29, and Luis Zepeda of The Domino. Anna Giordano was awarded the 2019 Longway Tavern Winner! Best in Show. Chris McMillan of Revel was honored as Fan Favorite. The reigning LOVE Cocktail Challenge champion is Jesse Carr of Balise, who won the competition in 2018.
Sixty of New Orleans restaurants provided catering. The NOLA Dukes also entertained patrons with a performance.
Proceeds from “LOVE in the Garden” help to guarantee the future stability of NOMA and programs vital to the New Orleans community and beyond. Julie and Ted George, Cammie and Charles Mayer and Aimée Farnet Siegel and Mike Siegel served as event Co-Chairs.
Event at a Glance
What: LOVE in the Garden 2019 Presented by Hancock Whitney benefiting New Orleans Museum of Art
When: Friday, September 27, 2019
Where: New Orleans Museum of Art
Co-Chair Cammie Mayer, Robert and Dr. Mary Lupo and Penny Francis
Co-Chairs Mike and Aimée Farnet Siegel with Director Susan Taylor and NVC Chair Jennifer Heebe
Sydney and Walda Besthoff with Jane and Rodney Steiner
Janice Parmelee, Bill Hammack and Liz Hefler
David Ellis and Elizabeth and Clifton LeBlanc
