Archived Article By Tom Fitzmorris
Originally published March 25, 2008
This Saturday And Sunday, 3-7 p.m.
Ronnie Kole And Chef Friends Make
Jazz And Eats On The Bayou
Ronnie Kole--piano great, gourmet and wine collector--throws a delicious party every year to benefit Easter Seals. That organization looks out for the need of disabled children and adults. Ronnie has been a stalwart for them for decades.
This year, the party spreads over two days--Saturday and Sunday, AMrch 29 and 30, three till seven in the afternoon both days. The setting is marvelous: the home Ronnie and his winfe Gardner share on Bayou Liberty, outside Slidell.
There is food aplenty, from the best chefs. Both Chef Pauls (Prudhomme and Miller) from K-Paul's, John Besh from all his restaurants, Susan Spicer from Bayona, Michael Frederic from Michael's (the best restaurant in Slidell), Chef Andrea, Frank and Tommy Wong from Trey Yuen, and chefs from a half-dozen more restaurants. The Royal Sonesta, where Ronnie has played for many years, will bring its usual lavish dessert array. Wines and other beverages also flow.
The music will go on constantly, with not only Ronnie and his band, but also the Storyville Stompers, Bobby Ohler and the Harbor Band, and other musician friends.
There's a live auction of a bunch of first-class vacation stuff, too--stays at the Sonesta and the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, and more along those lines. Also many dinners at local restaurants.
You're invited to fill the eating and listening categories. The price is $100 a person, the proceeds going to Easter Seals of Louisiana, which supports aid for the disabled throughout the state. The St. Tammany Association for Retarded Citizens also shares in the benefits.
This is the sixteenth year Ronnie and Gardner put on this bash. It's a fantastic event for a great cause, hosted by one of the long-running do-gooders in New Orleans.
You can get the tickets by going to Or by calling Ronnie directly at 985-643-5761.
© 2008 Tom Fitzmorris. All rights reserved. news@nomenu.com