New York Visits the Big Easy

Top stars from the New York restaurant world descended on New Orleans this weekend for a special benefit organized by superchef Emeril Lagasse. Eric Ripert, Mario Batali and Drew Nieporent were among those who flew to the Crescent City for the Carnivale du Vin, the third-annual food and wine extravaganza held to raise funds and awareness for the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, which is the benefactor for several local charities. The combined proceeds of a silent auction as well as a live auction raised in excess of $2 million for the following groups: • St. Michael Special School, which is expanding its facilities to include a kitchen where developmentally challenged students will learn to cook. • Cafe Reconcile, a lunch spot staffed by at-risk youth, who learn life skills as they immerse themselves in the running of a restaurant. • The Green Charter School, which has created a so-called Edible Schoolyard where the formerly asphalt lots surrounding the building have been ripped up and replaced with vegetable gardens tended by elementary and middle school students. The bounty from these gardens is then cooked and served as part of the school's healthy lunch program. Knowing all-too-well the ravages of an urban disaster, New York and its residents have not been shy with their generosity when it comes to helping the city of New Orleans. This weekend's Carnivale affirmed that special bond in a way that few ringleaders but Emeril could possibly have dreamed. %%showphotos [setid=72157602958143722]%%