Emeril’s Carnivale du Vin fundraising weekend was kicked off by the second annual Boudin & Beer, an indoor/outdoor food and music festival at The Foundry on Friday, November 2. A warm and festive atmosphere made this festival stand out among local benefits, with the help of many generous sponsors - from The Foundry to the JCPenney Tasting Pavilion to the Abita Beer garden and Rouses entertainment stage, with a Garden & Gun lounge and Buffalo Trace Bourbon Tent in between.  And finishing with a Nat Sherman cigar tent, scotch along with many other specialty bars from Republic, Sammy Hagar’s new Beach Bar Rum, a Sucre truck and Zac Brown Band’s kitchen on wheels, “Cookie”, the parking lot came alive with energy.  Thanks to emcees of the night Rita Benson LeBlanc and Mark Romig, the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, sponsors, guest chefs and co-hosts were acknowledged for helping create the best new festival in New Orleans.

The 8th annual Carnivale du Vin, held at La Nouvelle Ballroom in New Orleans Convention Center, was a smashing tribute to the 1920's jazz era, with the "Speak Easy, Bid Loud" theme.  $2.2 million were raised for Emeril Lagasse Foundation, with the help of an esteemed Krewe du Vin including Michael Chiarello, Joseph Lenn, Mario Batali, Tyler Florence, Sammy Hagar, Marc Forgione and Michelle Gayer. Heather and Bob Cabral of Williams Sellyem Winery were the 2012 event honorees, and Suzanne Pride Bryan and Stuart Bryan of Pride Mountain Vineyards were the "Event Bacchus," pouring a Merlot specially selected by Emeril Lagasse.

The inaugural Boudin & Beer was a wonderful success, thanks to Abita Beer, our sponsors and the chefs. 1,500 guests mingled with 25 chefs from New Orleans and Mississipi who made delicious and creative twists on boudin, the traditional cajun rice sausage. Chef Emeril, Chef Mario Batali and Chef Donald Link co-chaired the indoor-outdoor event at The Foundry in New Orleans on 11-11-11.

The seventh annual Carnivale du Vin brought one of the best Krewes yet to New Orleans to celebrate, raising $1.8 million from our generous patrons on November 12, 2011. We honored Suzie and Paul Frank at the New Orleans Convention Center, and Dan Kosta was the “Event Bacchus” serving up his wine that was ranked #1 of the year by Wine Spectator. Glenn Frey of the Eagles and his band performed a fantastic concert to close out the evening.

The return of Carnivale du Vin to New Orleans was our biggest event to date, raising $1.9 million from generous supporters on November 13, 2010, at Hilton New Orleans Riversdie. Our event honoree was Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat, and a memorable speech by Mario Batali in a blonde “Jim” wig kicked off the evening. Emeril announced that $50,000 was raised nationwide in his restaurants for NOCCA’s culinary arts program during from the “Dish That Makes a Difference” recipe contest and campagin. Following the auction, Kool & The Gang performed their chart-topping hits from the past three decades.

The fifth anniversary Carnivale du Vin returned to The Venetian Las Vegas in 2009 where 700 guests gathered for the ultimate grand tasting event hosted by 40 of the nation’s top chefs and vintners. The event raised an incredible $1.9 million and New Orleans’ own Neville Brothers delivered a soulful performance that had guests dancing the night away.

The 4th annual event on November 15, 2008, at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside was one of our best yet. Our generous friends served up a wonderful pairings dinner, and through the auction and sponsorships were able to raise over $1.7 million even in difficult economic times. We honored Chef Alice Waters for her Edible Schoolyard program in New Orleans, and the guests pledged to assist in building its new Edible Kitchen and Cafeteria. Sammy Hagar & The Wabos closed out the night with a rockin’ performance.

On November 3, 2007, our sponsors, guests and auction donors witnessed the impact of their generosity in New Orleans, through the many children’s programs and capital projects underway in the city. Returning sponsors as well as first time guests experienced the momentum of Carnivale du Vin at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, raising over $2 million. The gala was graced for the first time by featured artwork from an internationally renowned artist, adding another dimension to the once-in-a-lifetime lineup of fine food and wine.

Recognizing that many of our friends would like to experience the renaissance of one of America’s greatest cities, the Emeril Lagasse Foundation brought the 2006 Carnivale du Vin back to the city in which it was originally intended. On October 28, Chef Emeril and his wife Alden were thrilled to host a seated dinner for 600 guests at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside. In this time of need, our friends truly exhibited generosity unparalleled with any other New Orleans fundraiser, raising $2.5 million.

In 2005, Carnivale du Vin preparations were underway in New Orleans, the home of the Emeril Lagasse Foundation. However, as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita altered the fate of the Louisiana and Mississippi Gulf Coasts, Carnivale du Vin was quickly reorganized to feature 20 top chefs and 20 amazing vintners, raising $1.5 million at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas on October 29. The coming together of 700 national guests, many New Orleanians gathering for the first time since the storm, showed a true love for the city and support for children’s programs throughout the Gulf Coast region.