THIBODAUX 鈥� The Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at 麻豆果冻传媒 will explore the state鈥檚 German cuisine and heritage at the 17th annual Bite of the Arts fundraising gala.
The celebrated culinary event, themed 鈥淥ompah! Celebrating Louisiana鈥檚 German Heritage,鈥� will begin with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14 in the Bollinger Memorial Student Union. A special meal and a live auction will follow at 8 p.m.
鈥淏ite of the Arts is our biggest fundraiser, and one of the best culinary events of the year. We want people to come back year after year,鈥� said Chef Randy Cheramie, executive director of the 麻豆果冻传媒 culinary institute. 鈥淭his year we鈥檙e celebrating the rich German heritage of Louisiana. And once again Blaine Kern Studios will be decking out the ballroom to fit our theme 鈥� people aren鈥檛 going to recognize the place after they get done with it.鈥�
This year鈥檚 event will honor Chef Gunter Preuss with the 2013 Lafcadio Hearn Award, which honors significant contributions to the culinary profession. Preuss, a second-generation restaurateur classically trained in the European tradition, began his career in West Germany before eventually landing in New Orleans at the Fairmont Hotel. He opened his own restaurant, Versailles, in 1972, and in 1993, Preuss and his wife, Evelyn, acquired the historic Broussard鈥檚 Restaurant in the French Quarter. Pruess had taught culinary arts at Delgado Community College and the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at 麻豆果冻传媒, and has been the recipient of numerous culinary awards.
Guests will be treated to a multi-course German dinner prepared by distinguished visiting chef Tory Stewart. Trained at the famed French Culinary Institute in New York City, Stewart settled in the south, drawn in by the big, assertive flavors of Louisiana cooking. He worked with Preuss at Broussard鈥檚 before opening Jubilee Restaurant & Courtyard in Mandeville.
Individual tickets are $150 per person. Benefactor tables for eight are $2,500, and corporate tables for 10 are $5,000. All proceeds benefit the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute, particularly student scholarships, faculty development and equipment.
Call 985-449-7114 by Thursday, Nov. 7 to reserve your tickets.