Boudin, Bourbon, & Beer!
Photo courtesy of Emeril Lagasse Foundation on Facebook
Every November celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse invites scores of top local and national chefs to join him for his one-night fundraiser featuring a specially curated, Louisiana-inspired menu, live music and open bar. Last year the event has attracted over 5,000 guests. This year will be more of the same, with over 70 chefs participating in the 9th annual Boudin, Bourbon & Beer Festival on Friday, November 8, 6-10:30 p.m. The fundraiser will be again held at Champions Square (Lasalle St.), an outdoor festival plaza located adjacent to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Lagasse chairs the event with James Beard award-winning chefs Donald Link and his business partner, Stephen Stryjewski, of the Link Restaurant Group (the company owns a family of restaurants, currently including Herbsaint, Cochon, Cochon Butcher, Calcasieu, Peche Seafood Grill, and La Boulangerie). Each year a celebrity chef is also invited to co-chair. TV host and restaurateur Guy Fieri was co-chair in 2018, and this year it’s going to be the celebrated chef and TV personality Aarón Sánchez.
The participating chef list is an impressive who-is-who on both local and national levels. In the past, the New Orleans chefs included Commander’s Palace Tory McPhail, Nina Compton of Compere Lapin and Bywater American Bistro, Isaac Toups of Toups Meatery and Toups South, Chris Borges of Josephine Estelle, and many more.
Visiting chefs hail from all over, from the Gulf South to West Coast to the Midwest, representing some of the best restaurants across the country. The chefs will once again be creating their dishes during the event and mingling with the attendees. For a full list of featured chefs and the menu updates, visit the event’s website. The chef lineup and the menu are usually announced in September.
Photo courtesy of Emeril Lagasse Foundation on Facebook
In addition to the culinary spread, look for the Nat Sherman’s cigar lounge, a merch tent, and dessert tasting stations. Several open-bar stations with be stocked with premium spirits like bourbon cocktails from Buffalo Trace, and a variety of Abita beer. This year’s sponsors will also make their product available, including FIJI water, and the fine wines from JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery and Landmark Vineyards.
The music lineup is always solid at this event, so get ready to dance. Past performers included Honey Island Swamp Band, surf rock singer-songwriter Donavon Frankenreiter, bluegrass/Americana band Railroad Earth, and the country musician Lillie Mae.
Tickets typically go on sale in August and are available here ($135). They include unlimited food, open bar, cigars, and access to the auction and featured entertainment. The fundraiser benefits Emeril Lagasse Foundation, which focuses on culinary education, nutrition and arts programs. Please note that this event is 21+ only.
Boudin, Bourbon & Beer kicks off the Foundation’s two-night signature fundraising weekend and is followed on Saturday, November 9, by the wine auction and black-tie gala, Carnivale du Vin, now in its 15th year.
Where to stay
To enjoy the best of the Boudin, Bourbon & Beer this November, consider booking one of the boutique hotels in the French Quarter or Arts District. These historic neighborhoods are ideally situated within a short ride to Champions Square. Book a room at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels to have the best of the Crescent City and this unique culinary event at your fingertips.
