…of challenges, courage, compassion and hope.

Our hearts and minds turn to the dedicated citizens of New Orleans today.  We wish them a moment of peace to reflect on their everyday heroics and thank them for the example they have set for us all during these two years of rebirth.

“Learn from yesterday.   Live for today.  And hope for tomorrow.”   (Albert Einstein)

It has been amazing to watch CulinaryCorps alumni continue to make strides long-after they have returned home from their trip.

March participants and long-time Manhattan residents, Angela S. and April N., have recently moved to New Orleans after falling hard for the magical city during their CulinaryCorps tenure. April recently nabbed a position working with NOLA Edible Schoolyard while Angela will be reporting each day to Emeril’s Homebase as the newest edition to their test kitchen team. By weaving themselves into the fabric of the community, they hope to become an integral part of the city’s rebirth. We wish them luck and look forward to catching up over Sazeracs in September.

Another March participant, Amy T., has proved that good will can be executed from afar as her recent fundraising effort in Coshocton, Ohio raised $475 for Emergency Communities. She successfully converted the bake sale donations into gift certificates to The Cresecent City Farmers Market, allowing EC to fill their larder with farm fresh foods as well as support an important aspect of their local economy. Special thanks to Auer Ace Hardware, The Coshocton Brown’s Backers and all the generous bakers who donated their time and goods.

It has been said that ideas are many but execution is precious. These three amazing cooks have proven that when your heart backs your actions, good things will follow. Thanks to Angela, April and Amy for their commitment to CulinaryCorps, and more importantly, their tremendous dedication to New Orleans.

Food From New York: Creating a tasty local economy.

The Geoffrey Roberts Award:   Supporting individuals with culinary vision.  (CulinaryCorps was honored to be one of this year’s “small grant” recipients.)

Small Axe Farms: “Deepening grass roots in New Orleans.”

Friday, September 14^th: Tour of impact area led by Share Our Strength, Welcome Dinner at opening night of the iconic Dooky Chase

Saturday, September 15^th: Cooking Demonstrations and Cake Decorating Cook-Off at the First Annual Mississippi Slow Food Festival, BBQ Heaven at The Shed

Sunday, September 16^th: Brunch and Dinner Creation at Emergency Communities in the Lower 9^th Ward

Monday, September 17^th: Kitchen Mentoring and Meal Creation at Habitat for Humanity’s Camp Hope

Tuesday, September 18^th: Visit to Crescent City Farmers Market, Lunch at Bayona, Food Tour of the French Quarter, Dinner, music and bowling at Rock n’ Bowl

Wednesday, September 19^th: Cooking and student mentoring at Café Reconcile event – “Bistrot Reconciler: A Thank You to Our Sponsors”

Thursday, September 20^th: Volunteer Day with Edible Schoolyard New Orleans, Farewell Dinner with Chef Chris Debarr of Delachaise

Three slots are still available so submit your September/December Application today!

Although they hail from California, Blue Bottle Coffee has created a useful gift package to benefit the New Orleans Edible Schoolyard project.  For $22.50, you can be that master of your own iced coffee destiny as Blue Bottle has put together a handy “do-it-yourself” kit that includes coffee, a separate chicory packet and instructions on the cold brew process.  10% of the proceeds will be donated so drink up for New Orleans!

Sometimes it’s nice to know that tasty innovation is happening all around us.

We would certainly love to see the community bread ovens at Dufferin Grove Park in action…

Or peek into a kitchen classroom at Koto Hanoi…

Or sample a sweet and sweetly decorated treat from the  Sweet Things Bake Shop powered by the Lower Eastside Girls Club.

To everyone involved in these projects…keep up the amazing and inspiring work!