Sponsors of the 2011 Healthcare Classic Golf Tournament were honored at an exclusive Old Fashioned cocktail party at Jolie’s Louisiana Bistro hosted by Oncologics. Master mixologist Luke Tullos demonstrated how to prepare the best Old Fashioned south of Kentucky with his unique flair. At the wine station, lovely Chelsie Lovell served up a smooth Casa Solar Temparanillo and chilled Guenoc Chardonnay to the non-bourbon drinkers. Servers passed around delicious canapés, while guests also noshed on hot fennel-crusted lamb in a boursin cream sauce and chipotle barbeque pork sliders. Co-chaired by Cherie Hebert of BBR Creative and Donna Delahoussaye of Oncologics, this year’s golf tournament was held April 29 at The Farm. Major sponsors include Opelousas General Health System, Landry Harris & Co., McDonald’s of Acadiana, Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana/Coushatta Casino Resort and Dr. Terry Cromwell. Proceeds from the golf tournament benefit the Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic, which provides health care services for the indigent and underinsured.
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| Bo and Jerri Ramsay, David Banks and Allison Ramsay | Chelsie Lovell and her perfect pour |
Cherie Hebert and Jim Moncus |
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| Dr. Steve Wilt and Dr. Perri Prellop | Dr. Phil Gachassin and Rae Robinson | Dr. Phil Gachassin, and Suzy and Nick Gachassin III |
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| Jeanette Alcon, Gary Keller and Jane Conley | Nick Gachassin III, Nick Gachassin Jr. and Dr. Phil Gachassin |
Tony Hebert and Michael Mulligan |
Lafayette’s Italian and wanna-be Italians took over the Royal Sonesta Hotel in New Orleans for the annual St. Joseph’s parade and pre-parade party sponsored by Marcello’s and Elephant Room owner Gene Todaro. Our gracious host reserved the best suite in the house on the corner facing Bourbon Street with a wide balcony to accommodate parade watchers and bead throwers. Lafayette’s krewe looked dapper in its black tuxedos with red accessories as it marched through the French Quarter, handing roses, carnations, Italian-themed beads and lucky beans to the ladies in the crowd. Upstairs, Todaro provided a delicious antipasto spread, his famous spicy meatballs in a tasty marinara sauce, pasta and plenty of wine and Prosecco for the lively crowd.
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| Mike Coluzzi, John Mouton and Eric Campbell | Gene Todaro, Sandra Reed and John Oubre |
Chef John Panaro and Gene Todaro |
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| Charlie and Dell Goodson | Joe and Linda Broussard |
Best-selling author Rebecca Wells (Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood and associated tomes) was guest of honor recently at a cocktail reception hosted by UL President Joe Savoie and his wife, Gail.
Catahoula’s restaurant celebrated its grand reopening under new Chef Rachel Leckelt. Based on the fabulous food and wine served at the preview party, patrons are in for a real treat at the rustic yet elegant restaurant in historic Grand Coteau. Servers passed around a unique assortment of delicious appetizers, including mini seafood cheesecakes, crab cakes, fish tacos, duck and sausage pizzas, oysters on the half shell and prosciutto-wrapped strawberries. At the crepe station, Tony Holman flipped up light-as-a feather French pancakes folded over spicy crawfish and asparagus or mushroom and asparagus fillings. Outside on the starlit deck, guests enjoyed a savory sausage and crawfish gumbo. The talented Leckelt hails from a family of chefs from New Orleans and is the first woman in the family to become a chef. She earned her bachelor’s degree in food science from LSU, and received her culinary training at the renowned Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. Committed to working with local growers and culinary artisans, Leckelt also uses herbs from her own 5-acre heirloom farm to ensure the finest, freshest seasonable fare.
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| Tony Holman | Sylvie and Philippe Simon, and Denise Marceaux | Lacey and Dr. Chip Lahaye |
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| Catahoula’s ice sculpture | Jacques and Pascale Henri, and Robin May | Chef Rachel Leckelt and Jan Skinner |
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| Anthony Dominque and Pete Stevens | Andy Boagni and Angie Menard |
Chef John Panaro whipped up a gourmet Mediterranean feast for the Intrigue Dinner Club event hosted by Lisa Hanchey. As music from Andrea Bocelli and Frank Sinatra played in the background, guests sipped Prosecco and wine from crystal glasses by candlelight and nibbled on Italian cheeses and Greek olives. Panaro, assisted by Dana Hart, served an incredible spread including oyster casserole, mixed green salad with toasted pecans, and arugula salad with seared tuna and dried cranberries served with orange vinaigrette. For dessert, the group enjoyed ice wine and chocolate-infused vino accompanied by three kinds of olive oil cake. Delicioso! The fabulously creative Panaro offers personal chef services through his business, Delicious and Nutritious.
Party On!
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| Brad Rick, Chef John Panaro and Dana Hart | Camille Baker and Ben Landry | Chef John Panaro |
The catwalk came to the Crescent City courtesy of Fashion Week New Orleans. The show highlighted prêt-a-porter fashions of local boutiques and retailers throughout the Gulf Coast region and gave undiscovered and emerging regional fashion designers a platform to display their collections. Designer Patti O’Brien-Roy, a Lafayette native who lives in Breaux Bridge, debuted a runway show of her children’s line Fairy Fashions. Another Cajun Country native, Anna Mixon displayed her jewelry line, Mixon by Anna Mixon, which consists of chains in a silver or gunmetal finish and large, bold pieces designed to accentuate various parts of the body: head, back, neck, legs. Fashion Week NOLA was spearheaded by Tracee Dundas, a St. Martinville native, USL fashion apparel graduate, and owner of AboutFaces MTM, a New Orleans-based modeling agency. Proceeds from the event’s silent auction benefit charitable and educational programs in the city.
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| Lafayette native Anna Mixon’s jewelry adorns models |
Organizer Tracee Dundas |
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| Designer Anna Mixon (right) with models | Model Sydni Broussard of Lafayette |
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| Designer Patti O’Brien-Roy of Breaux Bridge preps her model |
Lafayette’s business, government and artistic leaders welcomed Australians John and Vickie de Margheriti, founders and owners of the nonprofit Academy of Interactive Entertainment and game development companies Big World Technology and Micro Forte Studios, at a packed reception at Jolie’s Louisiana Bistro. The reception was sponsored by LUSFiber, Lafayette Utilities System, Louisiana Digital Gaming Initiative, Opportunity Machine, the George Rodrigue Foundation for the Arts and Jolie’s. The three Australian companies are looking for a brick-and-mortar home in Louisiana to set up a video gaming school that will be directed by Dr. Christopher Erhardt, head of schools for AIE in the U.S., who started up three institutions down under.
Party On!
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| George Rodrigue, Julie Calzone, Jacques Rodrigue and Steve Santillo | Ryan Haynie and Brett Mellington | Joey Durel, Ryan Haynie and Jean Paul Coussan |
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| Dr. Paula Carson, Bryan LaGrange, Bob Miller and Ruth Ann Menutis | Terry Huval, Mona Simon, John de Margheriti, Joey Durel, Frank Ledoux and Allison Dickerson | Evan Smith, Jason Tate and Jeff Pellegrin |
Photographers from Lafayette and beyond participated in the Lafayette Art Association’s fabulous exhibit Freeze Frame at LAA’s St. Mary gallery. Exhibitors and patrons were rewarded at a packed reception with delicious homemade delicacies and vino contributed by LAA members. Renowned photographer Bob Adams displayed his spectacular African art, posing for photos with one of his favorites of a lioness and her pride called “Going Home.” A real treat was meeting 15-year-old picture-taking sensation Joe Pons V, who followed in grandfather Joe Pons III’s footsteps by becoming a photographer. Now in its 25th year, LAA opens Freeze Frame, its annual photography-only exhibit, to members and nonmembers.
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| Bob Adams with “Going Home” | Margaret Melancon, Sara Parker and Kerry Griechen |
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| Sara and Jim Parker | Jacob Trcalek, Maddie Trcalek and Joe Pons V |
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| Joe Pons V with his grandpa, Joe Pons III |
Sandy and Mitch Landry’s gorgeous estate was the perfect setting for the Evening of Wine, Music & Merriment celebrating Chorale Acadienne’s 31st Season. Sandy prepared the exquisite cuisine herself, including a creamy hot lump crabmeat dip, brie glazed with fresh apples and praline sauce, a fabulous torte and Bananas Foster over ice cream. As Chorale Acadienne’s enchanting board members poured wine, members Lee Cooke, Cindy Habetz and Patsy Bienvenu (of the duo Smooth Like That) serenaded guests, accompanied by gifted pianist Karyn Laing, with a medley of spirituals, opera and standards. A highlight was hostess Sandy Landry’s belting out a version of “Cabaret” that would have made Liza proud!
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| Beth Finch and Ty Ledet | Cindy Habetz, Lee and Jan Cooke, and Karyn Laing and Sue Sullivan |
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| Joey and Lynne Durel | Matt and Pharaby Jeffrey |
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| Patsy Bienvenu and Gloria Guilbeau | Robin and Phil Boudreaux |
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| Stuart Burgess and Aaron Davis |
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