Just found out my cousin is one of the chefs flown in from New Orleans to cook at the DNC

[Emit]

He might be serving Obama himself. Bananas Foster was noted as a possible dessert menu item.

This, I think, is very personal for him and his family. For a city still reeling from the after effects of Katrina, I think it was apropos for the DNC to bring in some Creole flavor to Denver. I know his own home was damaged from the flood, and has taken quite some time and effort to become livable again.

I recall he was none too pleased to serve W and Laura when Bushco gave that odd speech in NO (recall the creepy back lighting and Bush's mis-buttoned blue shirt -- something as such was amiss). But, according to family members, my cuz was very much looking forward to cooking for Obama and the Democrats!

Chef Chris Montero was born and raised in New Orleans and quickly found a passion for Creole cooking under the influence of his grandmother. His culinary career began at the five-star Louis XVI restaurant in the French Quarter, studying under Daniel Bonnot and deepening his knowledge of European-style and French cuisine. Chef Chris also worked with renowned chefs Susan Spicer and Warren LeRuth before joining the team at BACCO in 1999.

As Chef de Cuisine at BACCO, Chef Chris worked under the direction of Executive Chef Haley Gabel, contributing his creativity, talent, and extensive knowledge of the hospitality industry. During this time, BACCO was named one of New Orleans’ best Italian restaurants by Brett Anderson in the Times-Picayune, and was voted Best Italian Restaurant by the readers of Where Magazine four years in a row.

In 2005, Chef Chris succeeded Chef Haley as BACCO’s Executive Chef. When Hurricane Katrina struck only a few months later, Chris helped to lead the loyal team of staff members who returned to re-open the restaurant in early October, before it had gas, electricity, or running water. Later that month, he served President Bush, First Lady Laura Bush, and their party for dinner in the Skylight Room at BACCO. Under Chef Chris’ direction, BACCO continues to receive national attention in publications like Southern Living, which praised its “delicious Northern Italian fare” in a recent feature of New Orleans’ top restaurants.

~snip~

http://www.ralphbrennancookbook.com/tm_chris.php

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

1. That's fantastic! What an experience for him!

Please keep us updated on his doings!

[liberalmuse]

2. Awesome!

I'm jealous, but good for him. And you, since you will probably get the scoop that none of us will (unless you choose to share it, hint, hint.) :)

[lavenderdiva]

3. Wow!

that's so neat that Chef Chris is your cousin AND he's preparing a meal for Obama! I'm from N.O. originally, and Bacco is one of the best restaurants in the city. And there are lots of great restaurants there, so that's really saying something! :hi:

[Joanie Baloney]

4. What an honor!

And you know that Barack will probably ask to meet the chef if he is lucky enough to serve him. Your cousin will remember this forever!

And, in a semi-related thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3854603

JB

:applause:

[KamaAina]

5. This event was sponsored by Friends of New Orleans

the closest thing the city has to a high-powered lobbying firm. The DNC made what sounds like a realy feeble attempt to duplicate it:

http://blog.nola.com/keithspera/2008/08/friends_of_new_orleans_show_de.html

Fortunately, the FONO party didn't serve the same food. The grub laid out for delegates at the convention center included dry red beans and rice, elbow macaroni "crawfish monica," which was an unauthorized and inferior imitator of the real thing, and a suspect gumbo with carrots.

But for their $500 ticket fundraiser at the Fillmore, the FONO folks - a high-powered group of Washington D.C. insiders that advocates on behalf of the Gulf Coast's recovery - recruited Ralph Brennan and staffers from his restaurants. They served up authentic New Orleans red beans and rice, barbecue shrimp po-boys, crab cakes and bananas foster that put the convention center food to shame....

In keeping with Fillmore's mission, the FONO party was both a celebration of Louisiana's cultural riches and a reminder of the challenges that still lie ahead, staged for the invited national media, politicians and donors. Video testimonials provided updates on the recovery. Organizations and individuals were honored for their contributions; at this award ceremony, Mayor Ray Nagin was not an honoree....

The stuffy air was no deterrent to Sebelius. In addition to being a finalist in the Barack Obama vice-presidential sweepstakes, she is a major New Orleans music fan. She has attended the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival since 1975, only missing the festival when it conflicted with the birth of her children. Given her dancing jones - not just with her buddy Landrieu, but also with at least one apparent stranger who asked - her enthusiasm is authentic.

Gumbo with carrots?! Ye gods! :puke: I'd have rather been at your cousin's: $500 a plate seems like a positive bargain considering the Obama fundraiser here was $2300, with no NOLA chefs in sight!

The "Nagin was not an honoree" reference is to a lavish ceremony just held in the city in which Mayor No-C-Um was "honored" for excellence in the recovery effort (!) -- by his own personal photographer, a reputed drug dealer (!!) This ceremony was widely ridiculed by everyone from the city's outstanding blogosphere to most mainstream pols.

edit: And, even though the signature crawfish dish from Jazz Fest is delicious (when properly prepared), why on Earth would it occur to the DNC to serve anything called "Monica"?! :eyes:

[MGKrebs]

6. Let me know if you find they haven't done the carbon offset for the trip. I'll chip in.

[AnnieBW]

7. Fantastic!

Snaps to your Cajun Cuz!