Nell Nolan: Sugar Bowl Dinner, Susan Spicer Award, Beaujolais Nouveau, PRC Home Tour

Social Stirrings!

Sugar

The pretty invitation was both informative and symbolic. Using tones of oyster-white and silver, it was shaped like a sugar bowl and scripted at the top with "Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Frischhertz cordially invite you to attend the 2022 Allstate Sugar Bowl President's Dinner." It unfolded in the Grand Salon Complex of the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel. Cocktail attire was the dress.

Mona's Accents, "a local women/minority-owned business," provided the floral arrangements; Adam Frischhertz, nephew of Sugar Bowl president Lloyd, entertained as a pianist and composer; and, before guests sat, the hosting Frischhertz gave brief remarks. The hotel's executive chef Ronald Proano prepared a fine repast of seafood gumbo, fish and prime rib, and king cake bread pudding.

Notables included the above Lloyd and Marcelle Frischertz, ASB CEO Jeff Hundley with Janine, Commissioner of the Big 12 Conference Brett Yormark, deputy commissioner Tim Weiser, and respective presidents of the universities represented in the Bowl, Richard Linton (Kansas State) with Sally, and Stuart Bell (Alabama) with Susan. Gene Taylor of Kansas State and Greg Byrne (with Regina) of Alabama were the directors of athletics. From Allstate Insurance Company came chief marketing officer Elizabeth Brady with Craig and Kurt Winter, vice president for marketing.

Dining, as well, were Sugar Bowl Committee headliners, such as president-elect Richard Briede, executive committee chairman Ralph Capitelli with Linda, vice president Walter Becker, treasurer Dottie Reese with Judge Kern Reese, and Riley Busenlener with Kathleen. The following day, the trek was to the Caesars Superdome, where fans sported colors for the competing teams, Kansas State (20) and Alabama (45), and acknowledged the bounty of the Bowl.

Spice

"I respect that you love what you do," said Frank Brigtsen as he praised chef and restaurateur Susan Spicer, the recipient of New Orleans Wine & Food Experience's 2023 Ella Brennan Lifetime Achievement in Hospitality Award. Last year, that honor befell Brigtsen. A Navy brat who launched her career at age 26, chef Spicer opened her third restaurant, Rosedale, in 2016. A culinary household name in the city for more than three decades, she has mentored many rising chefs.

Ian McNulty of this newspaper once again served as the master of ceremonies at the gala, sold-out dinner in The Four Seasons Hotel. He related his enjoyment in sharing stories about the restaurant team in our community and cited Spicer, calling her a "chef's chef," for pushing boundaries. Included in succession on the stage were NOWFE president Mike Morgan; Eason Barksdale, a former chef at the Spicer-owned Bayona, and now chef and proprietor of Bijou Restaurant, one of the dinner's nine featured restaurants for the buffet-style dining; Frank Brigtsen; Sandy Whann, manager, with sister Katherine Whann, of Leidenheimer Baking Company; furniture maker Chip Martinson, Susan's spouse; Commander's Palace co-proprietor (with cousin Lally Brennan) Ti Martin, Ella Brennan's daughter, who quoted her mother's wise words about the restaurant business as "Keep it up!" and "Can you do….(the list began)?"; and, to conclude, Donald Link of the Link Restaurant Group and John Harris, chef and owner of Lilette Restaurant. All had hearty words of praise for Spicer as a friend, a mentor, a hard worker, generous for all she's done over the years, and inspirational. A video about her followed with further tributes.

The honoree, the sixth of seven children, then spoke, starting with "Give it up for the Creole String Beans," the gala's music makers. She continued, addressing a crowd of family, friends and colleagues; credited Miss Ella (Brennan) and chef Daniel Bonnot (among a few others) for their encouragement; and expressed her devotion to her husband and children.

Among the many applauding her were Beth Goddard and Stan Jahncke, Allison Ambort, Jamie Meeks, Cynthia and Brice Beaird, spouses Donna Gentry and Gerry Birnbach, former honoree Mark Romig and David Briggs, Jill and Paul Varisco, Ann Heslin, Karen and Henry Coaxum, Rob Keller, Wayne Amedee, Julie and David Gooch, Jamie and Randal Singer (sporting a jacket in "Commander's Place turquoise"), Winnifred Whitner and scores more who relished the evening's "Spicer" of culinary life.

Beaujolais

A wine time was had by all when The French-American Chamber of Commerce, Gulf Coast Chapter, presented Beaujolais Nouveau Celebration at Degas House. "Taste the 2022 Beaujolais Nouveau" was the beckoning. Food, especially the delicious escargots from Café Degas, and music formed the festive format, as did the historic house, a bed and breakfast, and event venue. It was home for a number of months to French Impressionist Edgar Degas, and also serves as a museum in his honor. Shortly after the Beaujolais gallivanting, proprietor David Villarrubia was host "for almost two hours" to French President Emmanuel Macron during his 12-hour visit to the Crescent City. "We put him (Macron) in the Bridal Suite," said David.

Among those milling, going from one house to the other on the Esplanade Avenue complex – both buildings were formerly joined, were FACC-CG president Eric Belin and nephew Gregoire Pras, Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, French Consul General Nathalie Beras, Luc Soleau, Bruno Jumelin, Jacques Soulas, Meyer the Hatter family members, Vicki Cappel, newlyweds that day Bob Parker and Bernard Creed, Frank Stansbury, and Mahmoud Chouki, who led the music.

Houses and Homes

Always one of the Christmas season's highlights is the Holiday Home Tour given by the Preservation Resource Center and presented by McEnery Residential. It's been part of the festive fabric for 47 years. Once again, Garden District homes were opened, thanks to Katie and Wendell LeGardeur, Friends of the PRC, Beverly Dale, Dr. Troy Scroggins Jr. and Frank Wilder, Claudia and Steve Campbell, and Catherine Makk. Three other properties were involved: the Louise S. McGehee School, the Rink and the stunning Coliseum Square home of Amy and Garrison Neill, for the week-earlier patron party and where a VIP Reception had as features, Cubs the Poet who typed up original poems for guests, a live electro-sonic painting performance by Marcus Brown, Brown Forman Brands liquor, Columns cocktails, cheeses and a grazing table by St. James Cheese Company, and Pigeon Catering. Alexey Marti's Trio Cubano set the night to music. The HHT Patron Party co-chairs were Courtney Lane (with Casey) and Jenny Longwell (with Marshall) and sponsors, David Gallo Jr. and Jamie Francisco. Mirell Gallo and Erin Hymel, with Augie and JP, co-chaired the tour and Patrick Welsh was the home designer.

Noted at the Neills' were most of the above, along with PRC board president Katie Witry with husband Todd Riché, vice president Charles Urstadt with spouse David Bernard, Jessie Haynes, Nomita Joshi-Gupta and Shaminder Gupta, Anne Teague Landis and Cuyler Boad, Ansley Marshall, Susan Langenhennig, Malik Mingo, Alexa Pulitzer and Seth Levine, Laura and Sonny Shields, Dorian Stone, and Aulston Taylor and fiancée Sevetri Wilson.