Come Grow With Us 2018 was a blast.

What an amazing evening!

Come Grow With Us 2018, presented by The Ruby Slipper Cafe, was our biggest yet! Although there are many moments we could share from the evening, here are a few numbers that tell the story.

Thanks to the support of our sponsors, chefs, and guests, we were able to raise our goal of $200,000 that will go back into supporting our youth to achieve their versions of success.

We had over 20 chefs compete in the Chef Showdown, and it was an amazing lineup. Two of our alumni also competed, repping their own businesses (* = LK alum-owned business).

• Cavan: salmon poke tacos
• Longway Tavern: salmon confit
• Meauxbar: duck confit lettuce wrap
• Sylvain: gochujang rubbed pork belly
• Greezy NOLA Catering*: crawfish étouffée with basil rice
• Restaurant R’evolution: Creole turtle soup, deviled egg crostini
• Herbsaint: crab with pumpkin, chilis, and pumpkin seeds
• Mondo Restaurant: Nepali lamb dumplings, spicy tomato chutney, and mirliton pickle
• Liberty’s Kitchen: foie gras cinnamon roll
• Syrena Johnson*: bananas Foster egg roll
• Bacchanal: vegan grilled seasonal vegetable roll with romesco
• Galatoire’s: turtle soup au sherry
• City Greens: Triple G chicken
• Ruby Slipper Café: white chocolate bread pudding with candied bacon
• Doris Metropolitan: tuna tartare
• Carmo: vegan tiradito
• Josephine Estelle: asiago arancini with fennel and pecan romesco
• Seaworthy: smoked cobia with fennel and prosciutto
• Maypop: eggplant and watermelon salad
• MoPho: spicy Vietnamese maque choux
• Bittersweet Confections: assorted pastries
• Bakery Bar: dobites
• Stumptown Coffee: hot coffee, cold brew, espresso

Cavan won Best Presentation and Best in Show with their Salmon Poke Tacos. Congrats, Chef Nathan Richard!

Maypop won Most Creative for their Watermelon and Eggplant Salad with Black Garlic Vinaigrette. Congrats, Chef Michael Gulotta!

We had 30 young people either working alongside our chefs, meeting patrons, or making speeches.

We had four inspiring awardees: 

2018 Janet Gorence Davas Youth Achievement Award: Max Williams and Kisscha “Keedy” Tiffith

2018 Food Justice Champion Award: the late Arthur “Mr. Okra” Robinson

2018 Calvin Johnson Youth Advocate Award: Troy James

We had over 600 people in attendance. 

We all have one mission: to provide pathways for youth to create and achieve their vision of success.

We want to thank you–the people who support us every year by attending and contributing to this event. We raise up our young people through the community we have created with you. We are grateful for your continued commitment and investment in New Orleans’ future leaders.

Wanna get involved for next year as a featured restaurant, sponsor, or committee member? Email us!

Did you love how the event looked and felt? Check out our event coordinator Nice Day / HTNO Events and our graphics and signage provider Small Chalk Creative Studio.