Dave Emond Recieves Archie Casbarian Humanitarian Award

Once a year, some of the biggest names in the New Orleans restaurant scene gather together to honor individuals within the hospitality industry who are doing remarkable things. Hosted by the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation, the Sixth Annual Gold Medal Chefs Gala was held at the Morial Convention Center’s La Nouvelle Orleans Ballroom on a sultry August evening.

My name is Ahmaad Lott and I am 23 years old. I joined the Liberty’s Kitchen team back in March as a YMVP (Young Men’s Voices Have Power) intern, an internship program sponsored by the Kellogg Foundation. I work with the Youth Leadership Council (YLC) to develop alumni programming and also work with our Youth Development Program to explore youth advocacy, gearing up for our very own town hall meeting in September.

In order from left to right: Myself, Kenisha, Andryan, and Dave

I was invited to attend the event along with YLC member Andryan Lagarde and alum Kenisha Charles in support of our very own David Emond who had the honor of receiving the Archie Casbarian Humanitarian Award.

We had a great time and enjoyed a five-course dinner created by Chefs Michelle McRaney of Mr. B’s Bistro, Wilfredo Avelar of Meril, Brandon Felder of Centerplate, Brian Landry of Borgne, and Karen Anderson of Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse. On the menu: chilled roasted corn soup, fried rock shrimp salad, sugarcane glazed Kurobuta pork belly, lemongrass short rib, and for dessert: bananas foster cheesecake. While the food was certainly a high point of the night, the atmosphere of the event, equal parts philanthropy and revelry, took things to a new level.

The day after the gala, I had the chance to talk with Dave about the previous night’s proceedings. When asked how winning the award relates to his work at Liberty’s Kitchen, Dave was humble, shining the spotlight on the staff and participants of the program for the work they’ve done.“When I got the call letting me know that I received the award I immediately wanted to deflect that attention to the people in our organization that are doing so much work every day because I think the award is really a reflection, not so much of what I have done, but of the work that Liberty’s Kitchen does in the community and the impact that we’re achieving.”

According to Dave, a humanitarian is “someone who believes in the dignity and potential of every human being and who makes an effort to recognize that dignity and develop that potential.” While inspired by bold and resilient humanitarian figures like Barack Obama and Mother Teresa, Dave points out that you don’t have to be famous to be a humanitarian. “You just have to show up and do the work, roll up your sleeves, have that commitment, have that passion. The people that inspire me the most are the people I work with every day. I really felt like I was accepting the award on behalf of [them] and the young people that are working so hard to make a positive situation for themselves out of what in so many cases is a really challenging environment that they’re forced to live in.”

I, for one, think that the Archie Casbarian Humanitarian Award was well earned, not only for Dave, but for the Liberty’s Kitchen’s family as a whole.

Speaking of family, that reminds me of a quote from Dave’s speech:

“I’d like to quote one of our graduates, who said: “Liberty’s Kitchen is like having all the aunts and uncles you could ever want.” For lots of reasons that we don’t have time to get into tonight, too many of our young people aren’t being noticed. That’s where we come in. Let’s all agree to be those aunts and uncles, seeing the potential of our next generation and helping them develop it. If we can all commit to this, we will build a better New Orleans for everyone.”

Congratulations again on receiving the award, Dave!

— Posted by Ahmaad Lott, YMVP Intern