Record Breaking Crowds at Our 2023 Crusader Cook-Off and Homebrew Competition!
On Sunday, September 17, Alumni, family, and friends enjoyed the 2023 Crusader Cook-Off, Homebrew Competition, and Cornhole Tournament. Over 600 attendees enjoyed delicious food, drinks, and camaraderie in the backyard.
The competitors cooked up the competition with 22 different dishes and 9 different homebrews, but Pop’s Provisions was named the champions with the team’s Halloumi Sliders. “Pop’s Provisions” featured Tommy Donelon II ’96, Mike Donelon ’97, Matt Donelon ’99, Mike Lemoine II ’02, and Kevin Bergeron.
Scott Walker ’93 emceed the event, and Blake Romig ’14 served as the DJ. Guest judges, raffles, the Crusader Cornhole Tournament, and a bouncy house for the kids all added to the fun.
1st Place
Pop’s Provisions – Halloumi Slider
Tommy Donelon II ’96, Mike Donelon ’97, Matt Donelon ’99, Mike Lemoine II ’02, Kevin Bergeron
2nd Place
04Sheaux – Crawfish Streudel
Stephen Ashely ’04, Brad Treuting ’04
3rd Place
Rockin R Brew & Q – Smoked Chinese Pork Belly
Judy Ridge, Larry Centola, Jr. ’64 SA, David Diket ’98, Tung Nguyen
People’s Choice
04Sheaux – Crawfish Streudel
Stephen Ashely ’04, Brad Treuting ’04
Homebrew Champion1st Place
Roux and Brew – El Cruzado
Andrew Woodroof ’03
Homebrew People’s Choice
Just Hang Loose – Hawaiian Pineapple Ale
Daryl Hope
Crusader Cook-Off TeamsCash Money Grillionaires – Briskey Business
Bobby Clay ’04, Kenny Rittler ’04, Stephen Maher ’02, Derek Aucoin ’04
Crescent City Couyons Team #1 – Surf & Turf Arepa
Lee LaFleur ’94
Crescent City Couyons Team #2 – Cheeseburger in Paradise Taco
Bob Vorhoff ’82
The Newbomb Turks – Jazzy Spring Rolls
Jeffrey Winn ’80, Beth Bowen, Paul Malone
Roux & Brew – Pork Al Pastor Grill Cheese
Andrew Woodroof ’03, Jack Uhle ’03, Jeremy Mipro ’03, Taylor Gilbert ’03
I-D-AL – Pulled Pork Birria Tacos
David Lapene ’98, Jonathan Autin ’98, Michael Swiatkiewicz ’99, Thomas Cancienne ’94
Divine Mercy Men’s Club – Kenna Brah Chicken
Gary Buquoi ’90, Scott Smith, Ryan Robbins ’90, Darrin Conaway
Class of ’86 Cooking Team – Blackberry BBQ Waffle Slaw Slider
Johnny Blue ’86, Steven Weidenbacher ’86, Jason Kern ’86, Marc Ceravolo ’86, Paul Schmidt ’86
Sausage Party – Patton’s Chopped Cheese
Sam Gieseler ’11, Connor Greco ’11, Jordan Leblanc ’11, Quinn Early ’11
Sizzlin Saders – Asian Ribs
Joey O’ Connor ’85, Nick Macaluso ’85, Darrin O’Connor ’89, Ryan O’Connor ’19
Class of 1981 – Catfish YaYa
Mark Buchert ’81, Al Roevens ’81, Kevin Schultz ’81, Frank McCaskell ’81
Brother Martin Wrestling Team – Spicy Chicken
Duffy Rousselle, Ryder Rousselle ’28, Andrew Nicola, Wade Ripple
Al Prieto State Farm – Hot Honey Cracklins & Waffles
Al Prieto ’09, Luke Cooney ’08, Rob Voros
The Gourgues Gourmets – Asian Fried Baby Back Ribs
Keith Gourgues, Brandon Gourgues ’04, Dylan Gourgues, Ian Gourgues ’20
Tailgate Crew 1 – Shrimp Bread
Robbie Rabb, Kevin Balser ’92, George Malek ’92, Dave Fisette
Tailgate Crew 2 – Corn Ribs
John McDonald, Jason Buras, Sidney Harris, Charlie Natividad
Kenny’s Favorite – Shrimp, Corn & Crab Bisque
Bryan Oubre ’97, Dustin Oubre ’94
We Cook and We Know Things – Spicy Cajun Ramen
Brett DuMontier ’90, Brandon DuMontier ’94, Joey Borrello ’94
Crescent Seafood & Catering – Fish Tacos
TBA
Rockin R Brew & Q – Smoked Chinese Pork Belly
Judy Ridge, Larry Centola, Jr. ’64 SA, David Diket ’98, Tung Nguyen
Rhumb Line – Crab Cake by Maque Choux
Lee Cotaya, Matt Cotaya ’06, Jimmy Aitken III ’07, Will Stall ’07
Pop’s Provision – Halloumi Slider
Thomas Donelon ’96, Maddie Donelon, Brandi Donelon, Jessica Donelon, Renee Lemoine
04Sheaux – Crawfish Streudel
Stephen Ashley ’04, Brad Treuting ’04
Class of ’93 Cooks – Class of ’93 Chicken Sliders
Dante Ascani ’93
Homebrew TeamsCoffee Flavored Coffee – Coldbrew
Sean Tomlinson ’22
Rockin R Brew & Q – Jucifer IPA
Darrell Ridge, Judy Ridge, Larry Centola, Jr. ’64 SA, Larry Centola III ’94, David Diket ’98, Tung Nguyen
Bucktown Brewers – Dark Shadows
Jerry Muller ’73, Becky Muller
Maffei Farms – Bourbon Imperial Stout
Salvador Maffei
Team Weisse – Helles “Gold”Lager and Harvest “Crimson” Lager
Terry Rhoton ’91, Keith Neumann ’91
Sean’s Pinched Beans – Coffee
Troy Tomlinson ’88
Dead Liver Society – Summer Shandy
Casey Rowe ’86
Dead Liver Society – Just Hang Loose
Daryl Hope
Roux & Brew – Cruzado Dorado and Tropical Vibes
Andrew Woodroof ’03
JudgesHomebrew Judges
Christopher Nobles ’01 – Piety and Desire Chocolate
Donn Lacoste – Gnarly Barley Brewing Company
Paul Johnson ’90 – Co-Owner Skeeta Hawk Brewing
Cook-Off Judges
Jeremy Barlow – Commissary Chef/Dickie Brennan’s Commissary
Tom Branighan, Jr. ’05 – Chef/Partner, MaMou
Calcie Fiorella – The Original Fiorella’s Cafe
Kelly Fiorella – The Original Fiorella’s Cafe
Chris Franklin ’00 – Chief Meteorologist/WWL-TV
Jessica Fresina – BMHS Cheer Head Coach
Tina LaBeaud – Event Sales Manager, The Ridgeway of Old Metairie
Aubry Andressen Miller – Owner, PJ’s Coffee
Vance Vaucresson ’87 – Owner – Vaucresson Sausage Company
Ashwin Vilkhu ’02 – Chef/Owner, Saffron NOLA
Master Chef Sponsors
Hancock Whitney
Top Chef Sponsors
Fast Plak, Inc. – Debbie and Roni Sumich
Fifth District Savings Bank
Fleur de Lis Event Rental – Mike Cascio ’96
Martzel, Bickford & Centola – Lawrence Centola III ’94
The O’Connor Insurance Group, LLC – Joey O’Connor ’85
Schiro’s School Time Uniforms
Short Stop Poboys – Russell Hendrick ’70
Sous Chef Sponsors
All Dry Services of Greater New Orleans
Al Prieto State Farm – Al Prieto ’09
Brocato Law Firm, PLC – Sal Brocato III ’88
Coca Cola
Christine and Milton Dureau, Jr. ’69 CJ
Fasteners, Inc.
Maffei Farms
Mike’s Hardware & Supply – Lee LaFleur ’94, Rob LaFleur ’92, Mike LaFleur ’64 CJ
The Napier Family
Bryan Oubre ’97
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
Sysco New Orleans – Ray Yakelis ’06
Appetizer Sponsors
DeLeon & Sons, LLC
Faux Pas Prints – Johnny Blue ’86, Kleo Blue ’89
Piety and Desire Chocolate – Christopher Nobles ’01
Donors
The Bulldog
Crescent City Brewhouse
Drago’s Seafood Restaurant
Sheila and Ron Messina ’63 SA
Rock ‘n’ Bowl
Shogun Japanese Restaurant
Paula and Paul Trentacosta
