October 18th, 2012 
New Orleans can truly be called one of the top culinary destinations, and the first weekend of November will bring together the country’s culinary masters and top vintners for a two-day celebration of food, beer and wine to support the New Orleans-based Emeril Lagasse Foundation.
Boudin and Beer 2012 (Photo Credit: Emeril Lagasse Foundation)
Part Un – Boudin and Beer- Friday, November 2
The weekend kicks off with boudin, beer, bourbon, and boots as New Orleans plays host to Emeril Lagasse’s 2nd Annual Boudin & Beer, a food and music festival celebrating all-things Louisiana at The Foundry. The charity bash, presented by Abita Beer and sponsored by Buffalo Trace, is hosted by Emeril Lagasse and honorary co-chairs Mario Batali and New Orleans’ own Donald Link. Fifty of the country’s hottest chefs from San Francisco to New York, with several of New Orleans’ top chefs represented, will be cooking up their take on boudin, with plenty of craft brews from Abita Beer. Guests can work off all that boudin dancing to the music of Drake White, Feufollet and Red Stick Ramblers. The event benefits the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, which has granted over $5 million to children’s educational programs, life skills development initiatives, culinary training and cultural enrichment in New Orleans and the Gulf south.
“The success of last year’s Boudin & Beer was astounding,” says Lagasse. “This year we’ve doubled the number of chefs participating and expect over 3,000 people to attend. It’s New Orleans’ newest culinary festival and all for a great cause.”
Emeril and Friends – Donald Link and Mario Batali (Photo Credit: Bill deTurk)
Part Deux – Carnivale du Vin Gala – Saturday, November 3
Then it’s on to Saturday evening where Emeril Lagasse and the country’s food, wine, and entertainment elite will come together for the Emeril Lagasse Foundation’s 8th Annual Carnivale du Vin – Speak Easy Bid Loud: the Roaring 20s. Named one of the Top Ten U.S. Charity Wine Auctions by Wine Spectator, the Foundation’s signature annual fundraiser benefits children’s causes. This year’s Carnivale du Vin showcases the best food and wine that Louisiana and the country has to offer, but “we’re also celebrating the Foundation’s 10 year anniversary,” says Emeril Lagasse. “We’ve accomplished so much in the last decade.” Lagasse couldn’t do it without his comrades who leave their own kitchens to come down here year after year and cook in his kitchen for Carnivale.
The 8th Annual black-tie gala event, gets underway with a Bacchus Reception, followed by a spectacular five-course wine dinner prepared by the acclaimed “Krewe du Vin” celebrity chefs including Mario Batali, Tyler Florence and Michael Chiarello, to just name a few. The inspired dining will also be paired with the best wines from the country’s top vintners. The evening will include an auction with exquisite wines and unique travel experiences on the offering. The gala concludes with guests out on the dance floor enjoying the homegrown sounds of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue.
Boudin and Abita! (Photo Credit: Cheryl Gerber)
Sponsors of Carnivale du Vin include the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Centerplate, Wine Spectator, American Airlines, Republic National Distributing Company, FlightOptions, and Fiji Water.
This weekend is truly a culinary dream come true!
For more information on Carnivale du Vin, Boudin & Beer and Emeril Lagasse Foundation, please visit www.carnivaleduvin.com, www.boudinandbeer.com, or www.emeril.org.
Boudin and Beer
WHEN: Friday, November 2, 2012 from 7-11 p.m.
WHERE:
The Foundry
333 St. Joseph Street
New Orleans, LA
TICKETS: $85 – Purchase your tickets here.
Carnivale du Vin Gala
WHEN: Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 6 p.m.
WHERE:
Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Convention Center
La Nouvelle Ballroom
900 Convention Center Blvd.
New Orleans, LA
TICKETS: $1,000 per person – Purchase your ticket here.
Great work, Aimee!