The 2014 Crusader Cook-off & Homebrew Competition took place this past Sunday in the backyard and The Benson Mall. Chefs presented 18 tailgate dishes and 9 brews for guest judges and attendees. The Spice Boys (Lindsey Williams ’83, Judge Mark Shea ’76 and Duke Nelson ’84) won the Top Chef Award. The Gumbo Gators (Judge Conn Regan ’66 CJ and family) and Yeah You Right Tailgaters (Lee LaFleur ’94, Bob LaFleur ’92, Bob Vorhoff ’82 and Kevin Kernion ’98) were awarded Gold Medals for their dishes. The Italian Crusaders (Dante Ascani ’93, Dana Ascani Nick DiGiorgio & Gino Ascani) took home the People’s Choice Award and Kenna Brau Brewing (Matt Bonura ’09) won the Homebrew Competition. The Class of ’82 (Lou Chaplain ’82, Ron McDonald ’82, Steve Messonnier ’82 & Glen Bagert ’82) won the inaugural “Class Competition”. Eddie Gonzales ’77 emceed the event and awarded 50/50 cash and raffle prizes, including hotel stays at Harrah’s and The Roosevelt, to lucky winners.
Top Chef | The Spice Boys | Salmon Nachos |
Gumbo Gators | Asian Hot Wings | |
Yeah You Right | Cajun Spice Mix | |
People’s Choice Tailgate | Italian Crusaders | Italian Shrimp & Grits |
Schneider Brothers | Shrimp & Pasta | |
Ingrillious Biscuits | Steak Frites | |
People’s Choice Homebrew | Kenna Brau | Crimson Caramel Amber Ale |
Redfish Brewing | Tropical Blonde | |
Stanton Brew Works | Coffee Milk Stout |
Top Chef Sponsors
American Specialty Advertising – AJ Talamo ’63 SA
Katie’s Restaurant – Scot Craig ’80
Diversified Foods, Inc. – Tab Damiens ’76, Norman Romagosa ’73, Thomas
Executone Systems Co. of Louisiana, Inc. – Angelle & Chris Stassi ’84
D’Hemecourt, Jr. ’95
Fast Plak – Debbie & Roni Sumich
Mike’s Hardware – The LaFleur Family
NOLA XTreme Fitness
Harrah’s
The O’Connor Insurance Group, LLC – Joey O’Connor ’85
Rock-n-Sake Bar & Sushi – Tisbee Manthey Datin & George “Duke” Nelson III
The Roosevelt Hotel
Sous Chef Sponsors
Fontanini Italian Meat & Sausages – John Pettavino ’86
Judy & Rusty Buckman
Christine & Milton Dureau ’69 CJ
JB’s Bar & Grill – John Anderson ’00
The Napier Family – Beverly & Tim, Kelsey & Brett ’03 and Garrett ’08
Bryan Oubre ’97
Primary Residential Mortgage – George Branigan, Jr. ’00
Scot Craig ’80 – Katie’s Restaurant
Donors
II Tony’s
Mike Brinkman ’00
The Bulldog
The Columns
The Haro Family
Emeril’s
Fausto’s
Galatoire’s
Galatoire’s 33 Bar & Steak
Gordon Biersch
Harrah’s
Mike Harris ’99
House of Blues
Ladies of the Shield
The Original Liuzza’s
Mandina’s Restaurant
Rock ’n’ Bowl/Ye Olde College Inn
The Roosevelt New Orleans
Juliette & Arthur Schellhaas ’62 SA
Paula & Paul Trentacost
Lucy’s
Muriel’s
The Napier Family
Porter & Luke
The Roth Family
Ruby Slipper
Mike Scaglione ’98
Tabasco
Steve Wilshire ’02
HOMEBREW COMPETITORS
Bucktown Kick Acid Beer – Honey Amber (Jerry Muller BM ’73, Becky Muller)
Stanton Brew Works Coffee Cow- Coffee Milk Stout (Jared Stanton, Lindsey Terrebonne, Jack Bigelow)
Gentleman Worts and Ales – Bad Habit (Stephen Joubert, Michael Storms)
Gentleman Worts and Ales – John Hammond’s Amber (Stephen Joubert, Michael Storms)
Brew Postles – Maff braü Dark (Sal Maffei, Jr.)
Rowe Brewing – Pale Ale (Casey Rowe ’86)
Redfish Brewing – Tropical Blonde (Mike Binder, Karen Binder)
Redfish Brewing – Rugby Red Ale (Mike Binder, Karen Binder)
Kenna Brau Brewing – Crimson Caramel Amber (Ale Matt Bonura ’09)
COOK-OFF TAILGATE CHALLENGERS
Boys from Broussard – Grilled Quail & Veggie Hash
Kenny Landry ’70, Brady Broussard, Mike Bogdan
Bro Martin Rugby Club – Jambalaya
Vince Heller, Gus Heller ’18
Chef Menteur – Sausage
Frank Viola II SA ’67, Ron Brisbi SA ’67, Bill Cammarata SA ’67
Class of ’82 – Cochon de Lait
Lou Chaplain ’82, Steve Messonnier ’82, Ron McDonald ’82, Glen Bagert ’82
Class of ’86 – Jambalaya
Paul Schmidt ’86, Johnny Blue ’86, Steve Weidenbacher ’86
Class of ’86 – Gumbo
Paul Schmidt ’86, Mark Ceravolo ’86, Jason Kern ’86
Explodin Spadinis – Chicken & Waffles
Joey O’Connor ’85, Nick Macaluso ’85, Darrin O’ Connor ’89
Ingrillious Biscuits – Steak Frites
Bobby Clay, Stephen Maher, Kenny Rittler, Sean Maher
Never Lost Cooking & Fishing Team – Boulette/Hushpuppy
Gary Hayes, Brian D’Alfonso, Greg Cafarella
Schneider Brothers – Shrimp
Michael Schneider, Scott Schneider
Team 1997 – Shrimp Tacos
Bryan Oubre ’97, Casey Munson ’97, John Norwood IV ’97, Christian Generes ’97
Team 1997 – Gourmet Sliders
Bryan Oubre ’97, Casey Munson ’97, John Norwood IV ’97, Christian Generes ’97
Team 1997 – Shrimp & Crab Bisque
Bryan Oubre ’97, Casey Munson ’97, John Norwood IV ’97, Christian Generes ’97
The Faucheaux Brothers – Tacos
Bryan Faucheaux ’08, Bryce Faucheaux ’10
The Gumbo Gators – Korean Hot Wings & Asian Cole Slaw
Conn Regan ’66 CJ, Debbie Regan, Neil Regan, Sean Regan
The Italian Crusaders – Italian Shrimp & Grits
Dante Ascani ’93, Dana Ascani, Gino Ascani, Nick DiGiorgio
The Spice Boys – Salmon Nachos
Lindsey Williams ’83, Mark Shea ’76
Yeah You Right Tailgaters – Cajun Party Mix
Lee LaFleur ’94, Bob LaFleur ’92, Bob Vorhoff ’82, Kevin Kernion ’98