How lucky can one be? Three gorgeous days of sunshine and cool weather with food, wine, and friends - and all in New Orleans! Bailli Provincial Cheryl Kenny led the three-day Southwest Chapitre with help from Bailli Ronnie Laporte’s NOLA team and Southwest Province Board. Although COVID-19 delayed the weekend three times, the final result was well worth waiting for.

Beginning with an outdoor welcome reception in a spacious New Orleans courtyard, attendees were treated with hors d’oeuvres from Southwest Conseiller Culinaire Provincial Honoraire Mary Bartholomew. A highlight of the event was the elevation of Robbie Vaughn as the new Bailli of Denver. Bailli Provincial Kenny performed the ceremony with Robbie’s father, New Orleans Vice-Échanson Bob Vaughn, placing the ribbon around his son’s neck.

Day two of the weekend began with a tour of some beautiful courtyards in the French Quarter with refreshments at each of the six stops. The tour at the Bartholomew’s with a choice of Bourbon Milk Punch and Mai Tais (or why not have both?) served with mini quiche, was memorable. A sampling of four Haut Caviars with Marquis de la Mystèriale Champagne ‘Cuvée Grand Esprit Blanc de Blancs’ was another popular choice of activities. The cheese tasting at St James Cheese Company rounded out Friday’s daytime activities, leaving just enough time to change for the black-tie Gala at the Royal Sonesta.

Set in the elegant Grand Ballroom, everyone seemed pleased to be back in formal clothes and sipping champagne amongst friends. The silent auction that benefited the SW Province was a major success. The live auction with Vice-Conseiller Gastronomique Melanie Talia serving as an auctioneer reaped major contributions to the Chaîne Foundation. Dinner at the Kenny’s for eight in Houston and the Salmanazar of Veuve Clicquot, providing a case of wine in a bottle, were the most tantalizing offers.

Saturday was an equally full and satisfying day. Daytime choices included two events at Briquette guided by Maître Rôtisseur Anna Tulsa. The first was a cocktail making demonstration of some of New Orleans’ favourite beverages accompanied by a three-course lunch. The second was an Old World Vintage Wine Tasting led by Échanson Provincial William Ridelhuber at the renowned restaurant.

The evening’s Best of Galatoire’s dinner truly did live up to the hype of “best of”. A sampling of the city’s finest offerings was provided along with some excellent wine pairings. The balcony overlooking Bourbon Street provided some major entertainment while the Mondiale’s signature event would not have been complete without a few rousing choruses of the Boar’s Head Carol.

New Orleans knows how to throw a party, and Chaîne friends proved themselves more than capable of enjoying the cuisine, crafted beverages, and charm that the city has to offer. It is safe to say that the Southwest Province knows how to let the good times roll!

Kathy Shay
Chargée de Presse Provinciale Southwest