SPONSORED BY: GLAZER’S DISTRIBUTORS IS THE PROUD DISTRIBUTOR FOR KETEL ONE VODKA IN LOUISIANA! The Nolet family has distilled Ketel One Vodka for over 300 years at the Nolet Distillery in Schiedam, Holland. Distilled from 100% wheat in alembic copper pot stills, filtered over loose charcoal, and rested in tile-lined tanks until ready, Ketel One Vodka is consistently named one of the world’s top spirits for quality and taste. Ketel One Vodka is named after the original copper pot still, “Distilleerketel #1,” and is handcrafted in small batches. The alcohol content of this spirit is 80 proof. Introduction . 5 Best Bartenders New Orleans Hamburger Past honorees . 5 Marvin Allen . 14 and Seafood Co. 27 Culinary Connoisseurs Roger Blais . 14 Parkway Bakery and Tavern . 27 event photos . 18 Star Hodgson . 15 Pizza Man . 28 I Chris McMillian . R&O’s . M 15 28 A M Y A Best Executive Chefs Surrey’s Café and Juice Bar . 29 K N A R F Best Fine Dining Establishments Andrea Appuzzo . Y B 6 O T Commander’s Palace . Best Manufacturers O Frank Brigtsen . 16 H 6 P R E Drew Dzejak . The Grill Room Abita Brewing Co. 30 V 7 O C Michael Farrell . 7 at Windsor Court Hotel . 17 Aunt Sally’s Pralines . 30 Chip Flanagan . 8 Stella . 17 Baumer Foods . 31 Dennis Hutley . 8 Hubig’s Pies . 31 Erick Loos . 9 Best Casual Upscale Magic Seasoning Blends . 32 Matt Murphy . 9 Establishments Published by the NOPG LLC Allison Vines-Rushing Café Adelaide . 22 Best Owners Domenica . Paul, Scott and 111 Veterans Memorial Blvd., and Slade Rushing . 10 22 Suite 1440, Metairie, La. 70005 Alon Shaya . 10 La Crepe Nanou . 23 Steven Ballard . 32 (504) 834-9292; Fax: (504) 837-2258 Le Parvenu . 23 Nick Bazan . 33 Rio Mar . Larry Katz . Publisher and president: D. Mark Singletary Best Sous Chefs 24 33 Associate Publisher: Lisa Blossman Trey Yuen . Gary Wollerman . Bradley Akers . 11 24 34 Managing Editor: Greg LaRose Benjamin Thibodeaux . 11 Upperline . 25 Jarred Zeringue . 34 News Editor: Christian Moises Vizard’s . 25 Associate Editors: Autumn C. Giusti, Renee Aragon Dolese Best Pastry Chefs Legends Art Directors: Lisa Finnan and Alex Borges Account executives : Liz Baldini, Monique Brignac, Jean-Luc Albin . 12 Best Neighborhood Ralph Brennan . 35 Kristyne Bouley . Establishments Randy Guste . 35 Jeanne Farrell-Bindewald, Cassie Foreman, Coco Evans Judd 12 Production manager : Julie Bernard Shane Gorringe . 13 Five Happiness . 26 Shun Li . 13 Joey K’s . 26 The Awards That Mean The Most To Us Come From Our Fellow New Orleanians. THE WINDSOR COURT HOTEL was the only hotel in New Orleans to win four CityBusiness Culinary Connoisseurs Awards. As a locally owned hotel, we are especially proud of receiving such accolades from the people who know us best. The Windsor Court was honored for: DREW DZEJAK, EXECUTIVE CHEF SHUN LI, EXECUTIVE PASTRY CHEF ROGER BLAIS, BARTENDER, THE POLO LOUNGE THE GRILL ROOM, BEST FINE DINING ESTABLISHMENT www.windsorcourthotel.com 300 Gravier Street | New Orleans, LA 70130 | 504-522-1992 New Orleans CityBusiness May 3, 2010 3 SPONSORED BY: GLAZER’S DISTRIBUTORS IS THE PROUD DISTRIBUTOR FOR MAKER’S MARK IN LOUISIANA! At Maker’s Mark we embrace a rich tradition of bourbon making that spans six generations. In fact, we’re so proud of our family that we’ve developed a heritage team to travel the world educating folks on the finer points of Maker’s Mark Bourbon and bourbon in general. Introduction 2010 Culinary Connoisseurs are toast of the town Two of the top things people throughout the country — and the world — sprouts into a dish. think of when you say New Orleans are Mardi Gras and food. Did you know Rio Mar’s Nick Bazan started out cleaning bathrooms Be it shrimp etouffee, a sloppy roast beef po-boy or fried lemon-filled and dishes at Shoney’s. What about the peanut butter and jelly martini that pie, it’s the stuff that puts us on the map and make people want to visit and Marvin Allen serves up at the Carousel Bar? live in south Louisiana. The professionals profiled in the following pages are the people who It’s only fitting we raise a glass to the people and restaurants that make make our culinary industry famous, successful and one of the biggest rea - those conversations so tasty with Culinary Connoisseurs, recognizing 50 sons people worldwide visit our region. top professionals and establishments in the region’s culinary industry In addition to countless hours of community service they provide to the Christian Moises based on cuisine, business success and community involvement. community, these honorees have also made a commitment to support local News Editor Honorees were recognized in 10 categories: best executive chefs, best business by frequenting area farmers’ markets and seafood suppliers. sous chefs, best pastry chefs, best bartenders, best fine dining establish - CityBusiness thanks each of them not only for their tasty contributions ments, best casual upscale establishments, best neighborhood establish - to the region but for their commitment to the New Orleans area. ments, best manufacturers, best owners and legends. Congratulations to the Culinary Connoisseurs of 2010.• Many people have heard of Paul Prudhomme, Susan Spicer and John Folse, but what about Otto Ramsey, the man behind Hubig’s Pies, News Editor Christian Moises can be reached at 293-9249 or by e-mail at or Ralph’s on the Park’s Chip Flanagan, who loves to sneak Brussels [email protected]. Culinary Connoisseurs Past honorees Best Caterers Laurent Moecklin Byblos Restaurant Susan Spicer 2009 Joel Catering Marguerite Riehm Deanie’s Seafood— Bucktown LaBella’s Catering Mother’s Restaurant Best Sous Chefs Best Fine Dining Best Maitre D’s William Briand Establishments Michael Juan Best Owners Best New Restaurants Larry Herbert Arnaud’s John Besh and Octavio Mantilla 5 Fifty 5 Mike Nelson Emeril’s Delmonico Dickie Brennan Legends Lüke Muriel’s Jackson Square Ralph Brennan Ella Brennan MiLa Ralph’s on the Park Emeril Lagasse Nathan’s Restaurant Best Sommeliers Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse Duke LoCicero Lifetime Achievement New City Grille Michael Juan Sterling Constant Chris Ycaza Best Casual Best Executive Chefs Sandy and Bob Defelice Best Caterers Upscale Dining Scott Boswell Shirley Lee Fleur de lis New Orleans Cuisine Establishments Best Pastry Chefs Jorge Pesantes Food Art Café Giovanni Justin Devillier Beth Biundo Clancy’s Tenney Flynn Martin Wine Cellar Tariq Hanna Brian Landry Patton’s Caterers Cochon 2008 Chris Newton Dick and Jenny’s Gus Martin Herbsaint Jacques Saleun Best Fine Dining Best Owners David Slater John Besh Best Maitre D’s Establishments Robin Bordelon Best Neighborhood Antoine’s Restaurant Tommy Cvitanovich Vedran Komazec Dining Establishments Best Sous Chefs The Dakota Restaurant The Tastebuds: Greg Reggio, Hans Bear’s Po-Boys Emanuel Jones August Limburg, Gary Darling Sergio Lopez La Petite Grocery Brandon Muetzel Mandina’s Alfred Singleton Best Casual Upscale Best Executive Chefs Legends Parasol’s Restaurant and Bar Heather Young Dining Establishments Rene Bajeux Leah Chase Radosta’s Drago’s Seafood Restaurant John Besh Paul Prudhomme Salvo’s Seafood and Deli Best Sommeliers Lüke Kim Kringlie Joe Briand Sal and Judy’s Brian Landry Lifetime Achievement Best New Restaurants Tommy’s Cuisine Donald Link Hostel New Orleans Best Pastry Chefs Duke LoCicero Shirley Anthony Latil’s Landing Simone Fleming Best Neighborhood Dining Spencer Minch Marie Laborde Restaurant Amis Tariq Hanna Establishments Darin Nesbit Dalton Milton Restaurant Rambla Dre McKindal Blue Duck Café Mike Regua Shirley Rubin New Orleans CityBusiness May 3, 2010 5 Best Andrea Appuzzo Executive Andrea’s PHOTO BY FRANK AYMAMI Chefs Age: 59 honing his skills at Princess hotels in Bermuda Family: single and Acapulco, Mexico, and at restaurants in Years at establishment: 25 Switzerland and Germany. Apuzzo runs Andrea’s almost nonstop, serv - At Andrea’s Restaurant in Metairie, chef and ing dinner daily. owner Andrea Apuzzo serves northern Italian He likes to chat with customers in the dining specialties and seafood. room and has watched their children become “If the fish can’t swim to the door, we adults over the years. On major holidays, the don’t prepare it,” said Apuzzo, who celebrated restaurant is heavily booked with families who Andrea’s 25th anniversary in January. He are mostly repeat customers. opened the restaurant in 1985 with two Apuzzo donates his talents to Children’s cousins at the former Etienne’s restaurant and Hospital, Jefferson Dollars for Scholars and the then bought out his relatives. In the past American Heart Association. He performs cook - decade, he has expanded the menu at ing demonstrations at local schools in addition Andrea’s, added the Capri Blu piano lounge to providing food for the annual Easter Seals’ and built larger banquet rooms. Jazz on the Bayou fundraiser in Slidell. Apuzzo learned to cook at his grandmother’s He’s also involved in Cancer Crusaders, home and at the family’s bakery in Anacapri, Crimestoppers, St. Michael’s School and, in Italy. He was the first chef to bring northern 1979, opened a school to teach young people Italian cuisine to New Orleans on a large scale, how to cook, which later became Delgado filling Andrea’s menu with antipasto plates, Community College’s culinary school. shellfish, veal and homemade pastas. But there A Metairie resident, Apuzzo grows herbs, are many Louisiana items, too, such as gumbo vegetables, fruits and flowers at his home and and praline-pecan cheesecake. is an authority on flavors and freshness. His He came to the Crescent City in 1977 to third cookbook, called “My Home is Your Home,” work as executive chef at the Royal Orleans was published in 2006 and emphasizes flavors Hotel.