8 minute read
Men Who Cook 2023
On Nov. 5, local “celebrity” cooks will partner with local restaurants to prepare tastings of their favorite dishes in a competitive cook-off. The goal is to win the coveted “People’s Choice” and “Judges Choice” awards, but more importantly, to raise the most money for Children’s Advocacy Center - Hope House, a nonprofit organization that provides hope, healing and justice for local child abuse victims.
Since its inception in 2014, Men Who Cook has become a popular and highly competitive showcase of the Northshore’s culinary scene. The event sold out in 2022 for the first time ever. As its popularity has grown, so has the desire of community leaders to participate.
“What began 10 years ago as a rallying call to the men of our community to stand up for the defenseless has turned into a collective effort to put an end to child abuse in St. Tammany and Washington parishes,” said Hope House Executive Director Thomas Mitchell. “Hope House has received such an overwhelming response from both men and women who are passionate about our cause and want to take a stand for our community’s children. We are honored to welcome four incredible female leaders to our celebrity roster for the first time this year!”
Award winners are chosen in three categories. The “Most Money Raised” award is determined by an online fundraising campaign before the event. The “People’s Choice” award goes to the team who collects the most “tips” at the event. The “Judges Choice” award is determined by a blind tasting of each team’s featured dish at the event.
Held on the top level of the St. Tammany Justice Center parking garage in downtown Covington from 4-7 p.m., this year’s event will include live music by Groovy 7; beer, wine and cocktails; and a silent auction featuring vacation packages, fishing trips, spa packages, specialty dining experiences and more. Bidding will also be available online.
For event tickets and more information, visit www.cachopehouse.org/events.
In the following pages, meet some of this year’s celebrity cooks and their partner restaurants.
Adam Acquistapace
What is your favorite thing to cook at home?Flank steak or when in season, cream of chanterelle mushroom soup
What does Men Who Cook mean to you? Men Who Cook is a great opportunity for the community to rally behind an important cause and to raise funds to support that cause.
Restaurant Partner:
Jennifer Nolen, Owner & Master Barber at Northshore Men’s Salon
What is your favorite thing to cook at home? Stir fry
What does Men Who Cook mean to you?Participating in Men Who Cook signifies our commitment to fostering a stronger community. This event allows us to be able to nurture a culture of caring and compassion through our partnership with Hope House by lending our platforms to a cause that uplifts the lives of abuse victims.
Restaurant Partner: Meribo
Jim Yancey, Yar Construction Company
What is your favorite thing to cook at home?Shrimp stew
What does Men Who Cook mean to you? A wonderful way to help CAC Hope House.
Restaurant Partner:
Heather Rietschel, Lakeview Hospital LCMC Health Rehab Supervisor and Queen of Eve XXXVII
What is your favorite thing to cook at home?Chicken and sausage jambalaya
What does Men Who Cook mean to you? It means that our community is helping children return to being happy, healthy and safe.
Restaurant Partner: Impastato Cellars
John Gutierrez, Extreme Cold (KYSEK) Founder and President
What is your favorite thing to cook at home?Gumbo & BBQ
What does Men Who Cook mean to you? Being a supporter of children’s advocacy.
Restaurant Partner:
ABOUT THE HOPE HOUSE
The Children’s Advocacy Center Hope House, an independent, non-profit organization, is dedicated to ending the cycle of child abuse in St. Tammany and Washington parishes. Proving a path to recovery and a bridge to justice for victims of child abuse, Hope House models, promotes and delivers excellence in child abuse response and prevention through forensic interviewing, specialized counseling, family advocacy and outreach.
Since inception in 1995, our specially trained forensic interviewers have given more than 6,500 children the opportunity to safely talk about their traumatic abuse experience. The CAC is the only agency to provide this crucial service.
Hope House depends on donations to continue providing critical services that protect our most vulnerable citizens—our children. For more information, visit cachopehouse.org.
Ben Richard,CEO at Lakeview Hospital
What is your favorite thing to cook at home?Red Beans & Rice
What does Men Who Cook mean to you? It’s a great opportunity to support a great cause and eat well!
Restaurant Partner: The Gloriette
Frank Richerand, Enviro-Tech Systems (retired Director)
What is your favorite thing to cook at home?Smoked meat gumbo
What does Men Who Cook mean to you?Being a celebrity chef with Hope House allows me a pause in my life to do something for others, especially for those who need love and support from those who can actually help improve their lives, the volunteers’ of Hope House
Restaurant Partner:
Elizabeth Westervelt, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Realtors
What is your favorite thing to cook at home? I enjoy making reservations :) lol
What does Men Who Cook mean to you? I’m so excited about this unique platform that allows us the opportunity to raise both awareness and funds for Hope House, so that we can directly impact the kids who need help, right here in our own community. It is a great cause and I’m honored to be part of it.
Restaurant Partner:
Jared Miguez, Attorney & Owner at Arena Collective
What is your favorite thing to cook at home?Breakfast - smoked salmon, fried egg, avocado, hot sauce on an English muffin is my specialty.
What does Men Who Cook mean to you? As a father to three kids, I recognize the importance of providing a safe and loving home for not only my children, but all children. I am honored and excited to partner with Hope House to raise money and awareness for this cause!
Restaurant Partner: Kazoku
Nick LaRocca, Keller Williams Realty Services & Consultant
What is your favorite thing to cook at home? Steak, duh!
What does Men Who Cook mean to you? It’s a small opportunity to help in a big way!
Restaurant Partner: Abita Roasting Co.
Brandt Quick, BQuick Nutrition LLC
What is your favorite thing to cook at home?Baked or grilled fish, grilled venison, smoked chicken and beef, sautéed or grilled veggies.
What does Men Who Cook mean to you? It’s an honor and privilege to take part in such a great event in the community that benefits the support of child abuse victims.
Restaurant Partner:
Kim Carver, Senior Vice President at Gulf Coast Bank & Trust
What is your favorite thing to cook at home?Jambalaya
What does Men Who Cook mean to you? To me, Men Who Cook is a great cause to help raise awareness and critical funding to support the most vulnerable in our community. Hope House and the incredible work of their team (along with law enforcement) help secure justice and healing for young victims. This is one of the most powerful and impactful events we can support.
Restaurant Partner:
Melissa Henry, St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court
What is your favorite thing to cook at home? Lasagna
What does Men Who Cook mean to you?Children ‘s Advocacy Center Hope House depends on events such as Men who Cook as one of their biggest fundraisers of the year. All the money raised goes directly to Hope House. Hope House provides a safe environment for children to heal from sexual abuse. We are so very fortunate to have a facility like Hope House in our community.
Restaurant Partner: Visit us at the event to find out!
Other cooks for this year’s event who aren’t pictured include:
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, partnered with Tchefuncte’s Restaurant
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith, partnered with DiCristina’s Italian and Seafood Restaurant
D.A. Warren Montgomery, partnered with Tavi
Bradley Cook of Sterling Properties, teaming up with Kim Carver and partnered with Sweet Olive Market & Bakery
Covington Councilman at Large Rick Smith, partnered with Valencia
Vernon Chagnard, Owner of Veerse LLC, teaming up with Jim Yancey and John Gutierrez and partnered with Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux
Matthew Bernard, Chief Medical Officer of Covington Trace ER and Hospital, partnered with Half Shell Oyster House.
2022 Impact Snapshot
445 Forensic interviews with new child abuse victims (up 27% from 2021)
139 Kids received healing & recovery in therapy
468 Caregivers received crisis response, advocacy & support
2,238 number of counseling sessions facilitated
612 Adults trained in stewards of Children
300 Kids trained in Love146 & Play It Safe Secondary Prevention
Thank you for helping us provide hope, healing, and justice for our community children.
