Guest Chef Night ft. Ysaac Ramirez

Guest Chef Night last Thursday was a huge success and a delicious taste of what’s to come next month with Come Grow With Us.  The seventh installment of this event featured Chef Ysaac Ramirez of Josephine Estelle at the Ace Hotel, who will also be joining us at our upcoming annual gala alongside 19 other renowned New Orleans chefs.

Chef Ysaac supports Liberty’s Kitchen because he appreciates the commitment it makes to all of its trainees.  He employed Elijah, a YDP graduate, in his restaurant two years ago and has appreciated how how Liberty’s Kitchen continues to check in and support Elijah after the program.

Chef Ysaac is also committed to using Louisiana produce as much as possible, and last night’s meal was no exception.  He cooks Italian dishes but uses local Southern ingredients to provide a special touch to the menu.  For example, he incorporated muscadines – a type of southern grape – into the first course.

In addition to previewing one of our Come Grow With Us chefs, we also recognized Nadja Sampson and Da’Mon (Tumma) Keelen, the two LK graduates who will receive the Janet Gorence Davas Youth Achievement Award, and Jeff Gulotta, the 2017 Youth Advocate Award recipient.  Director of Youth Success, Dennis Bagneris, made glowing remarks about all three honorees and why Liberty’s Kitchen chose to honor them this year. 

Nadja Sampson

“Nadja is an incredible young woman who we consider to be a shining example of our Youth Development Program in how she just personifies resilience. In the face of new opportunities and challenges, even in recognizing her own fears, she continues to push through, regardless of personal and professional challenges, always inspired to do better and be better.” 

Nadja started working at Good Karma Cafe through her externship with YDP, and now, two years later, she still enjoys her job and even runs the kitchen from 3 – 8 PM.

Da’Mon (“Tumma”) Keelen

“Tumma is a young man driven to create the most successful version of himself.  He strives not only to excel personally, but also to support his peers’ development. He’s a born leader and exudes all the qualities that this program would want to see personified in a young adult and mentor.”

Tumma has been working for The Ruby Slipper Cafe for a year and is progressing through the ranks in the kitchen there.  He is also studying to become a video game designer.

Jeff Gulotta

“Jeff regularly opens up his restaurant to our program and takes time to meet with these young people individually.  He is committed to setting them up for success.”

In addition to co-owning MOPHO and Maypop, Jeff gives back to the restaurant industry and works to shape the next generation of local young people who will run it in the future.

We look forward to celebrating our award winners at our seventh annual Come Grow With Us: Chef Showdown, on September 15th at the beautiful Ace Hotel.  Join us for more amazing food from Chef Ysaac and many other talented New Orleans chefs.  We will also have an open bar, live auction, and music by T-Ray the Violinist and DJ RQ Away.

Thank you to everyone who joined us last night in supporting youth success, and a special shout out to West Elm for providing the table decor.

– Posted by Miriam Teller, Development Intern