Chef Soiree: 40 Years of Partying with a Purpose

40 YEARS OF PARTYING WITH A PURPOSE

For the last 40 years, the Northshore has anticipated Bogue Falaya Park’s transformation into an elegant magical venue for the Premier Event of the year – Chef Soirée! Lights flicker in the trees, music flows from the stages, and the aroma of tasty gourmet delights and libations from over 90 restaurants and beverage vendors fills the air. The evening ends with the sky aglow with fireworks, and this is only the beginning.

It all started 40 years ago when Shirley Delauzain and a group of volunteers had a simple idea to gather a group of restaurants and beverage vendors together for a po-boy eating contest to raise funds for the Youth Service Bureau. It was such a hit that she and her volunteers decided the next year to bring it to the Bogue Falaya Park.  The party began with 35 restaurants and beverage vendors.

It’s the behind-the-scenes that makes the production possible - the many volunteers over 40 years, the wonderful restaurants and beverage vendors that generously give their time and talent, and so many businesses that donate their services and products! We salute ALL of them! Without each of our Sponsors and Patrons, we could not celebrate 40 years. Today, a few of the original restaurants still participate in Chef Soiree - Pat Gallagher’s, Benedicts Catering and Champagne Beverage, Co..

The party is really just the beginning, because Chef Soirée is “A Party with a Purpose.” All proceeds benefit the Youth Service Bureau’s programs of advocacy, counseling, education and intervention for at-risk youth and their families in St. Tammany and Washington Parishes, helping them reach their full potential. Critical funds generated by Chef Soirée help YSB serve approximately 45,000 clients each year. YSB programs include CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), Crossroads (Delinquency Intervention), FINS (Families in Need of Services), Options (Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment) and TASC (Early Truancy Intervention)

Chef Soiree raised approximately 8 million dollars for the YSB programs.  The Youth Service Bureau has served approximately 45,000 clients.

Chef Soirée celebrates 40 years March 17, 2024, in Bogue Falaya Park, Covington “A PARTY WITH A PURPOSE”

Learn more about YSB and purchase tickets at www.ysbworks.com .