On Sunday, November 16th, Alumni, family, and friends came together in the backyard for the 2025 Crusader Cook-Off, presented by Raising Cane's. Attendees enjoyed tasting all of the cook-off dishes, as well as jambalaya, hot dogs, and hamburgers.
Fifteen cooking teams competed and twelve homebrews were entered, battling for top honors from the judges and “People’s Choice” awards. Grass Fed & Organic Free took home both the “Top Chef” and the "People's Choice" awards with their “Filet Me Softly”. The team consisted of Kris Keifer '86, Carl Lauto '86. Michael DiLorenzo, Alex Domingo, Jeff Arcemont, Jim Hanlon, Kyle Kiefer, and Ross Autrey.
Jou-Brew 1991 (Stephen Joubert '09 and Daniel Joubert) was awarded “Master Brewer,” with their Czech dark lager "Czechmate" and Dead Liver Society (Casey Rowe '86 and Daryl Hope '65 SA) won the “People’s Choice” award with their "Nectar of the Gods" honey blonde ale.
Beth Bowman • Judy and Rusty Buckman • Erin and Joe Caruso ’79 • Brian Castanza • Lenee and Dan Crowley ’98 • Melissa Gallagher • Dennis Gerarve, Jr. • Emily Hardin • Mary Beth and Jeff Haro ’74 • Alaina Hudson • Elissa Maxwell • Sheila and Ron Messina ’63 • Stephen Messonnier ’82 • Cindy and Jerry Moll ’73 • Beverly and Tim Napier • Robbie Rabb • Erica Rodriguez • Beth and Patrick Scariano ’94 • Jennifer Spellman • Debbie and Roni Sumich • Paula and Paul Trentacosta • Cissy and Ray Yakelis • Marie and Steve Yost
Presenting Sponsor
Raising Cane's
Master Chef Sponsors
Coca Cola
Hancock Whitney
Favorites Promotional Products - James Casadaban ’06
Fleur de Lis Event Rental - Mike Cascio ’96
Francesca Deli/Katie’s Restaurant - Scot Craig ’80
Short Stop Poboys - Russell Hendrick ’70
Schiro’s School Time Uniforms
Top Chef Sponsors
Fast Plak, Inc. - Debbie and Roni Sumich
Fifth District Savings Bank
Louisiana National Guard
Andrew Orth III ’77
Maffei Farms - Sal Maffei
Sous Chef Sponsors
Dennis Panepinto Fan Club
Mike’s Hardware - LaFleur Family
Christine and Milton Dureau, Jr. ’69 CJ
Napier Family
Sysco New Orleans - Ray Yakelis ’06
Paula and Paul Trentacosta
Donors
Erin & Joe Caruso ’79
Coca Cola
Fast Plak, Inc. - Debbie and Roni Sumich
Gnarly Barley Brewing - Donn Lacoste ’94
Sheila and Ron Messina ’63 SA
Mike’s Hardware - LaFleur Family
Napier Family
Shiner Beer - Eric St. Pierre ’03
Jennifer Spellman
Trentacosta Family
1st Place
Grass Fed & Organic Free - Filet Me Softly
Kris Kiefer '86, Carl Lauto '86, Michael Dilorenzo, Alex Domingo, Jeff Arcemont, Jim Hanlon, Kyle Kiefer, and Ross Autrey
2nd Place
Crescent City Couyons - Clucking K-Pop skewers with hot honey drizzle
Warren Brugier '96, David Klein '90, Rob LaFleur '92, Lee LaFleur '94, and Roddy Palazzo '95, Ricky Schaefer '86, and Bob Vorhoff '82
3rd Place
81 Crimson - Rollin' Boudey
Theresa and Mark Buchert ’81, Frank McCaskell ’81, F.J. Hebert ‘81, Scott Shea ’81, Jean Robert ‘81, and Al Roevens ‘81
People’s Choice
Grass Fed & Organic Free - Filet Me Softly
Kris Kiefer '86, Carl Lauto '86, Michael Dilorenzo, Alex Domingo, Jeff Arcemont, Jim Hanlon, Kyle Kiefer, and Ross Autrey
Crusader Spirit Award
Grass Fed & Organic Free - Filet Me Softly
Kris Kiefer '86, Carl Lauto '86, Michael Dilorenzo, Alex Domingo, Jeff Arcemont, Jim Hanlon, Kyle Kiefer, and Ross Autrey
