Tasty Bites of the South
Fans of Hell's Kitchen and Chopped can experience a culinary cook-off in real time at the Hotel Fontenot on August 14. The high-stakes contest, which will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m., is inviting 23 local chefs and caterers to put their cooking skills to the test for three courses.
Sampling the South
The showdown awards titles across three categories: Best Appetizer, Best Dessert, and Best Booth Design. The winners will be selected by a panel of judges consisting of Fox 8's Shelby Latino, Taste Buds Management's Greg Reggio, Tamsy Kambi, and American Cancer Society's Henry Heaton. Along with the panel of judges, guests will be voting on the best bites of the night in the People's Choice Competition.
Notable competitors include Chef Melissa Araujo of Alma Cafe, Chef Aritza Garcia of Aritza's Kitchen, and Executive Chef Greg Fonseca of Crescent City Brewhouse. Top caterers such as Messina's Catering and Nolavore Catering will also be battling for the top spot. A full list of competitors is available on the National Association for Catering and Events' website.
Enjoying the Evening
With their tasting passport, guests are welcome to a night of unlimited samples and drinks. Attendees will have over 25 inventive dishes to try as they peruse the vendors' booths. Access to the full service bar is included as well, so guests can drink one or many of the cocktails specially curated for the event.
Dat Band will perform covers of radio hits that will make the guests want to turn the cook-off into a dance-off. Songs featured on the band's setlist range from '50s singles to today's pop hits.
Supporting Shuck Cancer
Up to 50% of the night's proceeds will be donated to Shuck Cancer New Orleans, which provides financial support for residents traveling to and from cancer treatments. Shuck Cancer has raised over $1 million for the American Cancer Society through events such as Tasty Bites of the South.
Tickets for Tasty Bites of the South cost around $100 and can be purchased through Eventbrite, with speciality packages and tables available.
