On October 7, the annual Crusader Cook-off & Homebrew Competition welcomed alumni, families and friends to campus for a great day and some great festival cuisine! Guests from all over were able to indulge in bites like Boudin Bahn Mi, Crawfish boil Rangoons, and Alligator tacos, just to name a few. Now that aroma was just from the food that 14 cooking teams were preparing.

Also featured were nine homemade brew teams. These skilled home brewers were giving out samples of their beer — from dark, rich Stouts to crisp Blondes. Some kept it traditional by only adding barley, hops, and a few secret ingredients. Other brewers went a little rogue and offered samples that contained cloves and berries to enrich their beer’s flavors.

While attendees were busy tasting the various cuisines and quaffing homebrews from cooking teams, local and celebrity guest judges were voting for the “Top Chef” and “Master Brewer” winners. Cash Money Grillionaire wowed guests and judges with their Crawfish Boil Rangoons and took home both the “People’s Choice” and “Top Chef” awards. Runners-up were the Spice Boys with their Spicy Asian Pork Lettuce Wrap and ’90’91 with their 3 Piggy Pork. The “Master Brew” award was given to Roux & Brew’s Pacific Ale .  Runners-up were Bird in the Hand’s Old ’97 Citra Bomb and Kenna Brau Brewing’s My Checkered Past.  Rob & The Millenials won the “People’s Choice” with their Blonde Chocolate Coffee Stout.

Guest cooking and brew judges included Chris Franklin ’00 of WWL- TV, Scot Craig ’80 of Katie’s, Kelly Fiorella ’85 of The Original Fiorella’s Café, Rusty Perrone ’02 of Perrone and Sons, Inc., Greg Rando ’77 of Brother Martin, Vance Vaucresson ’87 of Vaucresson Sausage Co., Inc., Eddie Jacobs ’81 of NOLA Hotel Group, Anthony Vojkovich ’79 of Crescent City Steakhouse, Raymond Yakelis ’06 of Sysco, and Xavier Cordova of Crescent City Brewhouse.

In addition, an assortment of door and cash prizes were awarded at the Cook-Off. Attendees  were also treated to favorite grill items of hamburgers and sausages which were prepared by the Brother Martin Cooking team led by Cissy Yakelis. Eddie Gonzales ’77 emceed with Rob Hymel and The Team Serious About Cooking serving as DJ of the event.  The Class of 2001 sponsored and served refreshments in the drink tent.

Thank you also to all our attendees and guest judges for judging this great event!

For further information on the Crusader Cook-Off & Homebrew Competition, please call the Advancement Office at 504- 284-6700.

Special Thanks to all of our Sponsors:
Sponsors
Master Chef
Pelican Graphics & Pelican Events - Dolph Federico '86
Top Chef
Diversified Foods Inc. - Norman Romagosa '73, Tab Damiens '76, Bruce Cisco '77, Thomas D’hemecourt, Jr. '95, Austin Damiens '10, Taylor Hennessey '10, Kevin Lamb '10
SYSCO - Ray Yakelis '06
Patio Drugs - John & Daisy DiMaggio
The O'Connor Insurance Group, LLC - Joey O'Connor '85
Fast Plak, Inc. - Roni and Debbie Sumich
Class of 1997
Class of 2001
PepsiCo - David Ward '83
Sous Chef
The Napier Family - Beverly and Tim, Kelsey and Brett '03, and Garrett '08
Christine and Milton Dureau '69 CJ
Executone Systems - Chris Stassi
Mike's Hardware & Supply - LaFeur Family
Ray and Cissy Yakelis
West Plumbing - Greg West
Kevin Rich '96
American Specialty Advertising - AJ Talamo '63 SA
Rusty and Judy Buckman
Donors
Bulldog/Lager's
Happy Italian Pizzeria
English Turn Golf And Country Club
MoPHo
Bear's Poboy's
Rouses
Brother Martin Bookstore
Brother Martin Ladies of the Shield
Crescent City Brewhouse
Sheila and Ron Messina '63 SA
Paula and Paul Trentacosta
Roberts
Southern Eagle - Lou Provenzano '90