We’re a week away from our favorite fall festival – Boudin, Bourbon & Beer, y’all!
With the one and only Emeril Lagasse leading this culinary throw down, it’s no surprise Boudin, Bourbon & Beer has been called the best party in the South.
There are about one million reasons why we love this event, but we’ve recapped our top reasons below.
1. 70 Chefs, One Event
Nowhere else can you taste dishes from so many amazing chefs all in one night. And this year’s chef lineup just happens to be the biggest one yet with over 70 of the country’s best coming together to put their own signature spin on Cajun country’s famous sausage.
Not to mention, the Big E himself!
2. The Boudin
If you’re not from around these parts, Boudin (pronounced Boo-DAN) is basically a glorified sausage, but more importantly, it’s a Cajun delicacy steeped in tradition – and that’s why BB&B puts the Louisiana staple in the spotlight.
The event’s featured chefs are encouraged to get as creative as they want with boudin, and the result is over 70 of the most creative and downright delicious boudin-inspired dishes you can wrap your mind around.
We got our hands on the full menu this year so you can plan ahead like a pro. Check it out here and see some of this year’s featured dishes below.
3. The Booze
If you’re like us and not really much of a bourbon gal, fret not. The event offers UNLIMITED (you read that right) craft beers from Abita and fine wines, as well as some amazing signature cocktails crafted by some of NOLA’s best mixologists.
4. Music All Night Long
It’s only right that a feast of this caliber is complemented with a killer music lineup. While you’re chowing down on boudin and washing it down with all-you-can-drink Abita, Railroad Earth, Donavon Frankenreiter, Lillie Mae and Honey Island Swamp Band will keep the party going all night long.
5. Partying for a Great Cause
Party for a great cause? Sign us up! The best part of shamelessly indulging at Boudin, Bourbon & Beer is knowing that all proceeds (and calories) support the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, which provides funding for children’s charities along the Gulf Coast.
You even get to see hospitality students from the Foundation’s beneficiaries working alongside the chefs all night, which is the best reminder of what this event is all about!
6. Celeb Chefs & Bartenders
This year, the Platinum Prince himself is taking us to Flavor Town! That’s right, Guy Fieri is co-chairing this sausage smorgasbord, which means you may actually get a chance to meet him. Or who knows, Aaron Sanchez could be slinging cocktails behind the VIP bar again this year!
7. Frozen Treats
New this year, the festival will feature a whole upper deck with FROZEN DRANKS. SoCo Pina Coladas, Bourbon Milkshakes, Daquiris and more, y’all. We are way too excited about this alone.
8. The Atmosphere
BB&B takes place in the most coveted festival spot in the city – Champions Square. Located just outside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, the vibes are set the moment you walk in. Incredible food, premium booze and live tunes make the night under the stars pretty unforgettable.
9. All Inclusive Tickets
Nowhere else can you taste dishes from 70+ chefs, indulge in unlimited booze and jam to awesome music all night long for the price of one inclusive ticket. At $135 a ticket, it may feel like a splurge, but in reality, you’d spend more than that on a nice dinner and night out in NOLA anyways – so you may as well put it toward a good cause and justify that hangover.
10. Cigar Bars for the Bros
Okay so we may not smoke cigars because, ew, but the dads, bros and S.O.’s in our lives LOVE that Nat Sherman has a cigar bar here. So like, this is basically a daycare area where you can leave your men to bounce around with your babes and not feel guilty.
Need more reasons? Of course you don’t. Head on over to BoudinBourbonandBeer.com to buy tickets and come party with us, Emeril and 70 other of your favorite chefs for this amazing cause!