2025 Crusader Cook-Off and Homebrew Competition
On Sunday, November 16th, Alumni, family, and friends came together in the backyard for the 2025 Crusader Cook-Off, presented by Raising Cane’s. Attendees enjoyed tasting all of the cook-off dishes, as well as jambalaya, hot dogs, and hamburgers.
Fifteen cooking teams competed and twelve homebrews were entered, battling for top honors from the judges and “People’s Choice” awards. Grass Fed & Organic Free took home both the “Top Chef” and the “People’s Choice” awards with their “Filet Me Softly”. The team consisted of Kris Keifer ’86, Carl Lauto ’86. Michael DiLorenzo, Alex Domingo, Jeff Arcemont, Jim Hanlon, Kyle Kiefer, and Ross Autrey.
Jou-Brew 1991 (Stephen Joubert ’09 and Daniel Joubert) was awarded “Master Brewer,” with their Czech dark lager “Czechmate” and Dead Liver Society (Casey Rowe ’86 and Daryl Hope ’65 SA) won the “People’s Choice” award with their “Nectar of the Gods” honey blonde ale.
Eddie Gonzales ’77 emceed the event. Guest judges, raffles, The Class of 2001 Drink Tent Team, parent volunteers, and inflatables for the kids, provided by the Louisiana National Guard, all added to the fun.A special thank you to our committee and sponsors:
Beth Bowman • Judy and Rusty Buckman • Erin and Joe Caruso ’79 • Brian Castanza • Lenee and Dan Crowley ’98 • Melissa Gallagher • Dennis Gerarve, Jr. • Emily Hardin • Mary Beth and Jeff Haro ’74 • Alaina Hudson • Elissa Maxwell • Sheila and Ron Messina ’63 • Stephen Messonnier ’82 • Cindy and Jerry Moll ’73 • Beverly and Tim Napier • Robbie Rabb • Erica Rodriguez • Beth and Patrick Scariano ’94 • Jennifer Spellman • Debbie and Roni Sumich • Paula and Paul Trentacosta • Cissy and Ray Yakelis • Marie and Steve Yost
Presenting SponsorRaising Cane’s Master Chef Sponsors
Coca Cola
Hancock Whitney
Favorites Promotional Products – James Casadaban ’06
Fleur de Lis Event Rental – Mike Cascio ’96
Francesca Deli/Katie’s Restaurant – Scot Craig ’80
Short Stop Poboys – Russell Hendrick ’70
Schiro’s School Time Uniforms Top Chef Sponsors
Fast Plak, Inc. – Debbie and Roni Sumich
Fifth District Savings Bank
Louisiana National Guard
Andrew Orth III ’77
Maffei Farms – Sal Maffei Sous Chef Sponsors
Dennis Panepinto Fan Club
Mike’s Hardware – LaFleur Family
Christine and Milton Dureau, Jr. ’69 CJ
Napier Family
Sysco New Orleans – Ray Yakelis ’06
Paula and Paul Trentacosta Donors
Erin & Joe Caruso ’79
Coca Cola
Fast Plak, Inc. – Debbie and Roni Sumich
Gnarly Barley Brewing – Donn Lacoste ’94
Sheila and Ron Messina ’63 SA
Mike’s Hardware – LaFleur Family
Napier Family
Shiner Beer – Eric St. Pierre ’03
Jennifer Spellman
Trentacosta Family
1st Place
Grass Fed & Organic Free – Filet Me Softly
Kris Kiefer ’86, Carl Lauto ’86, Michael Dilorenzo, Alex Domingo, Jeff Arcemont, Jim Hanlon, Kyle Kiefer, and Ross Autrey
2nd Place
Crescent City Couyons – Clucking K-Pop skewers with hot honey drizzle
Warren Brugier ’96, David Klein ’90, Rob LaFleur ’92, Lee LaFleur ’94, and Roddy Palazzo ’95, Ricky Schaefer ’86, and Bob Vorhoff ’82
3rd Place
81 Crimson – Rollin’ Boudey
Theresa and Mark Buchert ’81, Frank McCaskell ’81, F.J. Hebert ’81, Scott Shea ’81, Jean Robert ’81, and Al Roevens ’81
People’s Choice
Grass Fed & Organic Free – Filet Me Softly
Kris Kiefer ’86, Carl Lauto ’86, Michael Dilorenzo, Alex Domingo, Jeff Arcemont, Jim Hanlon, Kyle Kiefer, and Ross Autrey
Crusader Spirit Award
Grass Fed & Organic Free – Filet Me Softly
Kris Kiefer ’86, Carl Lauto ’86, Michael Dilorenzo, Alex Domingo, Jeff Arcemont, Jim Hanlon, Kyle Kiefer, and Ross Autrey
Homebrew Results
1st Place
Jou-Brew 1991 – Czechmate
Stephen Joubert ’09 and Daniel Joubert
2nd Place
Dead Liver Society – Wits End
Casey Rowe ’86 and Daryl Hope ’65 SA
3rd Place
Maffei Farms – Agustus G. Milk Stout
Salvador Maffei, Jr. and Lory Maffei
Homebrew People’s Choice
Dead Liver Society – Nectar of the Gods
Casey Rowe ’86 and Daryl Hope ’65 SA
Crusader Cook-Off Teams81 Crimson – Rollin’ Boudey
81 Gold – Sweet Boudey
Amuse Bouche – Jambalaya Eggrolls
Cash Money Grillionaires #1 – Crawfish Frito Pie
Cash Money Grillionaires #2 – Brisket Tacos
Crescent City Couyons: Team Hydrators – Potlickin’ Pasta
Crescent City Couyons: Team Marinaters – Clucking K-Pop skewers with hot honey drizzle
Divine Mercy Men’s Club – Fried Egg Rolls
DJ Brews + Q – Pork belly white beans
Grass Fed & Organic Free – Filet Me Softly
Italian Crusaders – Yaki Onigiri (grilled rice balls)
Jam-Bruh-Laya – Jambalaya la Fume’e
Sausage Party – Crawfish Empanada
Teddy’s Grill – Roast Beef Po-boys
We Cook and We Know Things – White Beans and Pork Jambalaya
Homebrew TeamsMaffei Farms – Agustus G. Milk Stout
Maffei Farms – Raspberry Weiss
Maffei Farms – Dunkel Weiss
Jou-Brew 1960 – Marzen
Jou-Brew 1991 – Czechmate
Bucktown Brewers – Dark Shadows
Team Weisse – Hefe-Light
Team Weisse – Irish Red Ale
Dead Liver Society – Squirels Stash Brown Ale
Dead Liver Society – Wits End
Dead Liver Society – Nectar of the Gods
Sean’s Pinched Beans – Cold Brew
JudgesHomebrew Judges
Donn Lacoste ’94 – Gnarly Barley Brewing Company
Eric St. Pierre ’03 – Shiner Beers
Brandon Zeringue ’00 – German Coast Beer Co., Owner
Cook-Off Judges
Tom Branighan, Jr. ’05 Chef/Owner, MaMou
Carlo Clesi ’95 Owner, Clesi’s Seafood Restaurant & Catering
James Clesi ’98 Owner, Clesi’s Seafood Restaurant & Catering
Scot Craig ’80 Owner, Katie’s Restaurant/Francesca by Katie’s
Tisbee Dantin Owner, Rock ‘n’ Sake
Pauly Dauterive ’85 Research and Developement Director, Magic Seasoning Blends
Allison Copeland Donnelly Senior Vice President, Al Copeland Investments, Restaurant Division
Derrick Dunne Area Leader, Raising Cane’s
Calcie Fiorella ’88 Owner, The Original Fiorella’s Cafe
Kelly Fiorella ’85 Owner, The Original Fiorella’s Cafe
Chris Franklin ’00, Chief Meteorologist, WWL-TV
Alex Heath ’08 Owner, Alexander’s Meals
Eddie Jacobs ’81 CEO, NOLA Hotel Group
John Lalla ’85 Owner/Managing Partner, NATCO Food Service
Vance Vaucresson ’87 Owner, Vaucresson Sausage Company
Donald Welty ’84 Owner, Welty’s Deli & Catering
