It’s not too early to start planning for some culinary travel, especially when it’s a really special event that only happens every other year! It’s even better if it’s an assemblage of amazing chefs coming together to raise money for a really noble cause, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital’s founding organization, Le Bonheur Club.
The very special Le Bonheur dinner will be held at Crosstown Concourse in Memphis on Saturday, June 13 beginning at 7:00 pm. The host chefs are John Paul Carpenter of Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and Kelly English from Restaurant Iris, The Second Line, Magnolia House and Fino’s, and the duo has put together an unprecedented roster of culinary talent of local and guest chefs.
Among the Memphis chefs participating are Andrew Adams - Acre Restaurant, Jonathan Magallanes - Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana, Andy Ticer and Mike Hudman - Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen, Hog & Hominy, Josephine Estelle, Catherine & Mary's, The Gray Canary, Bishop, Ryan Trimm - Sweet Grass and Felicia Willett - Felicia Suzanne’s Restaurant plus more than a dozen other local favorites.
The list of guest chefs is even more impressive, as Carpenter and English dug deep in their contacts lists to invite some real culinary superstars including James Beard Award-winners and television celebrity chefs. Check out this amazing roster:
1. Matt Bell - South on Main - Little Rock, AR
2. Vishwesh Bhatt – Snackbar - Oxford, MS
3. Maneet Chauhan - Chauhan Ale & Masala House, Chaatable - Nashville, TN
4. John Currence - City Grocery Restaurant Group - Oxford, MS
5. Tiffany Derry - Roots Southern Table, Roots Chicken Shak - Dallas, TX
6. Michael Gulotta - Maypop, MOPHO, Rum and the Lash - New Orleans, LA
7. Ryan Lachaine - Riel Restaurant - Houston, TX
8. Ed Lee - 610 Magnolia, MilkWood, Whiskey Dry, Succotash - Louisville, KY
9. Drake Leonards – Eunice - Houston, TX
10. Kevin Nashan - Sidney Street Café, Peacemaker Lobster & Crab - St. Louis, MO
11. Chris Osborne - Blackberry Farm - Walland, TN
12. Ryan Prewitt - Peche - New Orleans, LA
13. Aaron Sanchez - Johnny Sanchez - New Orleans, LA
14. Levon Wallace - Louisville, KY
“The patients, families and physicians of Le Bonheur have sparked a passion among our participating chefs,” said Chef English. “They come together in this great city to provide an evening of incredible food to benefit the only comprehensive children’s hospital in Memphis. I am honored to host and work alongside them and I’m humbled to see how much Le Bonheur has come to mean to them.”
Michael Wiggins, president and CEO of Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital is very grateful for English’s dedication: “Le Bonheur appreciates Chef Kelly for bringing together our local Memphis chefs and some of the top chefs in the country to help raise awareness for Le Bonheur. His passion for what we are doing is infectious and I am grateful to him and to each of the chefs who come together to cook in honor of the care we are providing our patients.”
Le Bon Appetit was previously held in 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018 and has raised more than $1 million dollars for the hospital. Tickets are currently on sale for $250 per ticket, VIP tickets for $300 and sponsorship opportunities are available. Learn more at lebonappetit.org, facebook.com/lebonappetitmemphis.com, instagram.com/lebonappetitmem or by calling 901-287-6308.
