Archived Article By Tom Fitzmorris Originally published March 4, 2008 This Saturday Afternoon; Ecole Bilingue Benefits An Afternoon Of French Food Every spring, the New Orleans French school Ecole Bilingue throws an afternooon-long celebration of French food. It's like the festivals that every school holds to raise funds, but with a big-time difference. Instead of hot dogs and cotton candy, the food is provided by the city's best French chefs. In fact, just about all the local French chefs are there. It's a matter of national pride with them. French schools have been around New Orleans since its inception. This one has mostly French-born teachers, who immerse their students in the curriculum taught in France itself--plus the full array of American subjects. It keeps that unique strain in our culture alive. The event's theme is Vive Les Art. It runs from 11 a.m. until 6 o.m. this Saturday, March 8, in the school's playground at the corner of Camp and Calhoun Streets, uptown. Admission is free; you pay for the food a la carte. Here are some of the chefs and restaurants that will be there: La Crêpe Nanou La Provence La Boulangerie Lilette Galatoire’s Herbsaint Cochon Martinique Bistro Café Degas St. James Cheese Co. Leidenheimer Bread Jamila’s Of course, Champagne and other French wines and spirits will be available. Restaurants and other businesses have donated items for a silent auction. Lot's of fun, and if you need some practice on your French speaking, you'll have many opportunities. As they say at Ecole Bilingue, Merci mille fois! © 2008 Tom Fitzmorris. All rights reserved. news@nomenu.com