Chef John Folse names Dining by Design fundraiser chefs

Chef John Folse and Cypress Springs Mercedarian Prayer Center have announced the slate of chefs, florists and designers participating in the seventh annual Dining by Design fundraising event to benefit the center.
The luxury dining experience will be held at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Baton Rouge on Aug. 23, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Dining by Design combines the chefs’ culinary artistry with the originality of area designers and florists to create a feast for the eyes and palate.
Annually, six national chefs and four Louisiana chefs are selected for participation. National chefs each serve a chateau-style table of 20 guests who have paid $1,000 per Gold Level ticket for the privilege of tasting a meal prepared by the national chef. Louisiana chefs serve tables of 10 who pay $500 per Silver Level seat. Chef John Folse serves the Bronze Level tables at $200 per seat.
Local florists and designers spend hours creating tablescapes, incorporating a special theme and adding their imaginative floral artistry. The table designs have become a highlight of Dining by Design, and this year’s theme of “The Garden of Eden” is sure to impress.
In 2001, Sister Dulce Maria was accepted into the Baton Rouge religious community by then Bishop Alfred Hughes, who is now Archbishop Emeritus of New Orleans. Through Sister Dulce Maria’s mission of caring for the sick and dying, as well as offering spiritual guidance to those who seek the Lord, more than 16,000 souls have been touched by her. Global visitors have sought Sister Dulce Maria from places as far away as Russia.
“I’ve seen patients from all over the world,” said Sister Dulce Maria. “Many healing miracles have occurred of body and soul. And I have witnessed many conversions. I am just so grateful to God that He continues to send chefs, florists and designers every year who graciously give of their time and talent to help raise funds to keep the ministry going.”
The Cypress Springs Mercedarian Prayer Center is located on 51 acres in south Baton Rouge. The growing campus consists of an office building, convent, chapel and meditation trails. Cypress Springs is open to all faithful regardless of religious affiliation.
At this year’s Dining by Design event, each guest will be served either an appetizer or soup course that will include crab as an ingredient. A salad course follows with a meat course of Certified Angus Beef and a dessert finale.
“The creativity of each chef is remarkable,” said Folse, The Sister Dulce Foundation board member and managing partner and co-executive chef with Chef Rick Tramonto of Restaurant R’evolution in New Orleans and Seafood R’evolution in Ridgeland, Mississippi. “We basically give the chefs two ‘must use’ ingredients: crab and Certified Angus Beef. Their creativity explodes from there.”
The Dining by Design chef roster is:
Gold Level tables — Pierre Sauvaget, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Tennis Club; Seth Shipley, Boca Grande, Florida; Gasparilla Inn & Club, Jared Van Camp, Chicago, Old Town Social; Tramonto, Chicago, Restaurant R’evolution/Seafood R’evolution; Greg Biggers, Chicago, SOFITEL Chicago Water Tower; and Philippe Caupain, Rancho Mirage, California, Si Bon Belgian Bistro.
Silver Level tables — Dondi McNulty, Baton Rouge, The Little Village; Chris Motto, Baton Rouge, Mansurs on the Boulevard; Peter Sclafani, Baton Rouge and Lafayette, Ruffino’s; Chris Lusk, New Orleans; Restaurant R’evolution.
Gold Level table designers — Lynda Jenkins and Eduardo Jenkins Landscape; Jake’s on the Avenue Floral Designs & Gifts, Jake Sibley and Chuck Johnson; Cole’s Floral and Garden Design, Joni and Vincent Russo; Peregrin’s Florist and Decorative Services, Peregrin and Mica Franklin; Red Door Interiors, Erin DeBosier; and Interior Design & Associates, Phyllis Brister and Earl Savoie.
Silver Level table designers — Harb’s Oasis, Charbel and Ruth Harb; Bee’s Wedding and Event Floral Designs, Eric Frederick; Nancy Zito Interiors; and Designs by Milissa, Milissa and Bruce Duhe.
Bronze Level table designers — Whole Foods; Alexander’s Highland Market, Kelly and Lathan Alexander with designer Glenna Bethay; The Cottage Path, Lea Richardson and Alice Olivier; and Elizabeth’s, Bonnie and Sal Trentacoste.
There is also a casual dinner event, Chillin’ & Grillin’, at White Oak Plantation in Baton Rouge on Aug 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. Guests can interact with Dining by Design chefs and designers as well as eat a Folse meal with beverages for $50 per person.
There will be a silent auction the night of Dining by Design. A large number of luxury items will be available, including a dinner for up to 20 guests with Sister Dulce Maria at White Oak Plantation, four opportunities to bid on “Cooking with the Kids” on “Stirrin’ It Up” with Chef John Folse on WAFB Channel 9, original art from well-known artists, a hand-crafted copper cooler, and ice cream sundaes with Sister Dulce Maria.
The “Wine and Dine” raffle includes 25 local restaurant gift certificates ($50 to $100 each), and at least 24 bottles of fine wine divided between 3 large baskets to be drawn at the event. Winner need not be present to win. Tickets are $5 each.
To purchase tickets for either event, the raffle or for more information contact Joyce Chaney at 225-752-8480.