HOSPITALITY
AARON SANCHEZ
Aarón Sánchez is an award-winning chef, TV personality, cookbook author and philanthropist. He is the chef/owner Johnny Sánchez, located in New Orleans and co-star of FOX’s MasterChef and MasterChef Junior. He is a partner/creative director of Cocina, the first online content platform dedicated to celebrating Latin lifestyle through its vibrant culinary culture. One of the world’s most distinguished Latin chefs, Aarón is passionate about preserving his family’s legacy through food and encouraging diversity in the kitchen.
THE COMPANY BURGER
The Company Burger is brought to you by acclaimed chef Adam Biderman. Biderman opened his first location in 2011 on New Orleans’ revamped Freret Street with the intent of introducing the city to a true American hamburger restaurant that married his passion for high-quality ingredients. The beloved burger joint is best known for its namesake, The Company Burger. Comprised of two Creekstone beef patties ground in house, American cheese, thinly sliced onions, house-made bread-and butter pickles all on a freshly baked bun, The Company Burger elevates the humble American classic and draws in the masses of New Orleans. The restaurant has received national acclaim, including a nod as “Best Burger in America,” from Food & Wine, being named “The Most Perfect of All Sandwiches” from Esquire and among the “Top 10 Burgers in America” from CNN.
BLUE OAK BBQ
Blue Oak BBQ is brought to you by New Orleans-natives Ronnie Evans and Philip Moseley, who set out to become New Orleans' foremost purveyors of fine smoked meats and savory sauces. The duo formed Blue Oak in 2012 when Evans and Moseley decided to start smoking meats in a small pop-up inside of the Uptown New Orleans dive bar, Grits. Four years and thousands of pounds of meats later, the duo graduated to their own brick-and-mortar location in 2016 at 900 N. Carrollton Ave in Mid-City. Since opening, the duo has made a name for themselves serving up some of the city’s finest smoked meats, sides, and sandwiches.
SAXBYS
Founded in 2005 by Nick Bayer, Saxbys is more than just coffee (though it is pretty damn good). Each cafe is an uplifting environment filled with friendly faces, delicious drinks and exceptional food to fuel the day’s possibilities. With a core mission to “Make Life Better,” Saxbys aspires to brew real change in the communities it serves, while nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit in team members who aspire to be make an impactful difference.
HUNGRY PIGEON
Hungry Pigeon is the dream project of Chefs Scott Schroeder and Pat O’Malley. The duo takes pride in cooking and serving the things they most enjoy eating and drinking: comfort foods made exclusively from local and responsibly sourced ingredients. The Queen Village all-day restaurant and café sits atop Philadelphia magazine’s “Best Restaurants” list.