When Pigs Fly

It was a night of food, fun and a little tongue-in-cheek frivolity when Bridge House hosted their 13th annual Cochon Cotillion. Appropriately held at Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World on the eve of Saturday, April 4, a King and Queen party took place before the real festivities began at 7 p.m. Nearly 1,000 partygoers packed the venue, reveling with Queen Dana Hansel and King Mike Hammer. More than 40 restaurants kept the hungry masses happy, with dishes including Shrimp Remoulade from Galatoire’s, Pasta St. Charles from the Palace Café, bread pudding from the Court of Two Sisters, and of course a pork-minded appetizer from – where else? – Cochon. Abita Brewing Co. and Republic Beverage were just two of the fine spirits purveyors, and ELS provided the music and entertainment for the evening. A silent auction featured luxe winnings like art from the late William Hemmerling Galleries, dinner for six at NOLA, a silver bracelet from Mignon Faget and a champagne makeup party at Saks Fifth Avenue. In addition to the King and Queen there was a court, and this year’s included Ann Redd, Mary Matalin, James Carville, Phil Waterman, Mr. and Mrs. William B. Leary and Mr. and Mrs. William Glennon. The night raised a whopping $215,000 for the nonprofit Bridge House organization, which has provided, since 1957, substance abuse treatment for community members in need.