food and drink

Two Uptown chefs advance to the James Beard finals

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The coveted James Beard Awards finalists were announced last week, including “Best Chef in the South Region” and “Emerging Chef.” Two of the finalists in that number are in Uptowns restaurants. And both are relatively new on the local food scene. Chef Ana Castro of Lengua Madre was honored in the “Best Chef in the South” category, which includes Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi and Puerto Rico. 

And in the “Emerging Chef” category, chef Serigne Mbaye of Dakar NOLA advanced to the finals. The James Beard Awards, established in 1990, sometimes referred to as “the Oscars of the food world” are the highest honors in the U.S. food industry. The finalists were announced on March 29; and the winners will be announced on June 5.

NOLALove Spring Student Rally brings inspiration to New Orleans students (sponsored)

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We had to do it again! We gathered students from our InspireNOLA schools and schools throughout the city of New Orleans to show the community just what we mean by #NOLALove! Our second NOLA Love Spring Student Rally was a day of inspiration and motivation for the students of New Orleans, and we were grateful to have motivational speaker Eric Thomas spark a fire in each of our students and remind them that YOU OWE YOU. This initiative, launched in October 2022, continues to be for our students and by our students and their vision for a safer, healthier, and more loving life in New Orleans. NOLALove is and will always be for our students, for our city, and for our future.

Join us in exploring the Many Lives of Charity Hospital, hosted by Chelsey Richard Napoleon, Clerk of Civil District Court (sponsored)

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The Honorable Chelsey Richard Napoleon is excited to announce this year’s Archives Month showcase! Email your interest in experiencing this new showcase: civilclerkresearchctr@orleanscdc.com
The Notarial Archives Research Center is located in our Land Records Division. These documents, which date back to the 1700s, represent the rich history of New Orleans. The archives can be used for property, genealogical, architectural and landscaping research, among other subjects. The Land Records Division is where documents regarding property are recorded.

food and drink

Uptown restaurants are well-represented among James Beard semifinalists

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Of the 12 New Orleans restaurants honored this year on the list of the 2023 James Beard Award semifinalists, half are in Uptown neighborhoods. Honorees range from an iconic grand dame, Commander’s Palace, to a newly opened Senegalese restaurant, Dakar NOLA. 

The James Beard Awards, established in 1990, considered the Oscars of the food world, are the highest honors in the U.S. food industry. The finalists will be announced on March 29 and the winners on June 5. Five chefs from four Uptown restaurants have been nominated in the category of Best Chef in the South: Ana Castro of Lengua Madre; Melissa M. Martin of Mosquito Supper Club; Colleen Quarls and Liz Hollinger of Molly’s Rise and Shine; and Michael Stoltzfus of Coquette. The James Beard Foundation includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Puerto Rico in this regional category. 

The James Beard Foundation uses this criteria when choosing its Best Chefs: “Chefs who set high standards in their culinary skills and leadership abilities, and who are making efforts to help create a sustainable work culture in their respective regions while contributing positively to their broader community.”

Krewe of Muses

Singer Irma Thomas to ride as honorary Muse and krewe’s ‘Sole Queen’

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Irma Thomas — the Grammy Award winning, legendary blues and gospel singer known as the “Soul Queen of New Orleans” will serve as the Krewe of Muses’ 2023 Honorary Muse, Captain Staci Rosenberg announced. “On ‘Muses Thersday’, Feb. 16, Thomas will lead the parade riding in the 17-foot-tall fiber optic encrusted red high-heel shoe float.” Rosenberg said. “We refer to her as our ‘Sole Queen.’

Christopher A. Etienne, Sr., Letters from a Father: Empathy and Character (sponsored)

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Dear Son:

The scripture teaches parents that we should “train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not turn from it” Proverbs 22:6. I believe and follow that scripture as an anchor to my fatherhood. Indeed, being a father to you, Christopher A. Etienne, Jr., is my most important job. I constantly reflect on when I first laid eyes on you, when you were born in 2019. I had no doubt the second I saw this gift from God with that gentle smile and big eyes looking up at me, I said, I will make sure to get you as healthy as possible with the help from the Lord. Indeed, the Lord continues to answer my prayers.

recognition

Life of civic activist Mary Zervigon to be celebrated Saturday

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Uptown resident and long-time philanthropist Mary Keller Zervigon, who died Aug. 27 at 83, will be memorialized and celebrated Saturday (Sept. 10). Throughout her lifetime in New Orleans, Zervigon was dedicated to serving her community. When Zervigon was inducted into the Tocqueville Society in 2018, Danae Columbus interviewed the Carrollton area resident for Uptown Messenger.

recognition

Former Mayor Moon Landrieu, a Carrollton native, dies at 92

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Former Mayor Maurice “Moon” Landrieu died in his home Monday (Sept. 5) at 92. A life-long public servant at the city, state and federal levels, Landrieu was first elected to the state House of Representatives in 1960 before joining the City Council. After two terms as mayor, he served as secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the Carter administration and as a judge on the Louisiana 4th Circuit Court of Appeals. Landrieu, who grew up in the Carrollton area, is best known for integrating City Hall while leading the city from 1970 to 1978.

Advertiser specials

Propeller announces 2022 Impact Accelerator Ventures (sponsored)

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Propeller announces the 19 participants selected for its nationally recognized 2022 Impact Accelerator. This program catalyzes transformative social impact by supporting startup and growth entrepreneurs working to narrow disparities in community economic development, education, food, health and water. Our entrepreneurial community has endured disasters and challenges over the past several years. Forty percent of businesses do not reopen after disasters, another 25% fail in the year following a disaster, and 90% of small businesses fail within two years of disaster. At the onset of the pandemic, Black business ownership rates dropped 41% between February and April 2020.