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Celebrating New Orleans’ Jazz and Food culture in New York City

Dickie Brennan’s Restaurants Spotlighted at James Beard House

NEW YORK CITY—In honor of the New Orleans jazz and food culture, Dickie Brennan’s three restaurants will prepare dinner at the James Beard House in New York City. Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse, Palace Café and Bourbon House will host a private dinner, highlighting the cuisine of New Orleans, to celebrate the partnership of two famous not-for-profits, Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) and the James Beard Foundation, on May 30 (see menu next page.) Additionally, on May 31, Dickie Brennan’s restaurants will offer a sold out “traditional” James Beard dinner, which showcases the best American regional cuisine. Executive Chefs Darin Nesbit of Palace Cafe, Jack Martinez of Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse and Neil and Amy Mockovak of Bourbon House will prepare a five-course meal with passed hors d’oeuvres.

Commenting on the Beard House and JALC partnership, Dickie Brennan stated “My family has been cooking with jazz forever and we’re honored to represent our city at this milestone event.” In 1974, Dick Brennan, Dickie’s father invented the concept of Jazz Brunch. In a city of celebration, where music and food is at the center of it all, it was a natural union. “Our chefs have crafted a menu that embodies New Orleans cooking, and of course we’ll be using local ingredients.” Wild Louisiana shrimp, crawfish, Cajun caviar, P&J oysters, satsumas, and Creole tomatoes are just a few local products that will be flown to NYC to make the dinner a truly authentic New Orleans meal.

Since 1986, the James Beard foundation has been on the forefront of America’s culinary revolution, and remains North America’s only historical culinary center. Jon-Erik Kellso, a colleague of Wynton Marsalis, artistic director of JALC and unofficial ambassador of New Orleans’ jazz and food culture, will perform at the event. Kellso’s “fluent gift of melody (according to critic Owen Cordle) makes his music poignant and moving. His latest CD release entitled “Blue Roof Blues: A Love Letter to New Orleans” is dedicated to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. As representatives of New Orleans, the Chefs and musicians will showcase the Crescent City as the epitome of food and jazz culture. The James Beard House and Jazz at Lincoln Center will be donating a portion of the proceeds from the event to the Edible School Yard at the Samuel J. Green Charter School in New Orleans.

This isn’t the first time that Dickie Brennan has received an invitation to the James Beard House. In the early 90’s the Beard House hosted a “Legends Dinner” in tribute to Dick and Ella Brennan (Dickie’s father and aunt). As then Chef of Palace Café, Dickie prepared a meal with Jamie Shannon of Commander’s Palace fame, and two other respected chefs and Commander’s alumni, Carl Walker and Gerard Maras. In November of 2002, the James Beard House hosted a Book and Author Dinner in honor of Palace Café: The Flavor of New Orleans cookbook. Dickie’s two children and wife, Leslie attended the event. Three generations of Brennan’s have celebrated at the James Beard House—a family rooted in culinary traditions, gathering at an institution that embraces America’s gastronomic history. “It’s been important to me to share with my family these experiences at the Beard House. We always look forward to serving New Yorkers dishes embraced by New Orleanians,” added Brennan.