Northshore Heroes Who Cook 2026 Competition Announced Teams

Local celebrities and restaurants team up to combat child sexual abuse and trafficking on the Northshore

4 hours ago

Site Staff,

Downtown Covington Louisiana: Location for Heroes Who Cook — Downtown Covington, Getty Images

COVINGTON, La. (press release) – The Northshore’s annual Heroes Who Cook fundraiser will raise money for the Children’s Advocacy Center – Hope House with a competitive cook-off involving 18 celebrity and restaurant teams on Sunday, Nov. 1.

The Heroes Who Cook competition will take place from 4-7 p.m. on the rooftop of the St. Tammany Parish Justice Center parking garage in Downtown Covington.

Each participating team, comprised of a local government or business leader paired with a top local restaurant, will prepare tastings of a gourmet dish for attendees to sample.

The Heroes Who Cook event will also include:

Complimentary beer, wine and cocktails
Live music by Groovy 7
Online silent auction
- Those who are unable to attend the event on Nov. 1 can still bid on their favorite silent auction items online beginning in October
A live auction for a golf cart donated by Blackwell’s Outdoor Inc.

“Heroes Who Cook represents the very best of our community, people coming together and using their time, talents and influence to protect children,” said Hope House Executive Director Thomas Mitchell. “Every dollar donated throughout the course of this fundraiser helps ensure that local child abuse victims receive the hope, healing and justice they deserve, all at no cost to their families.”

Heroes Who Cook Teams and Details

Teams will compete for the title of Judges’ Choice, People’s Choice and Most Money Raised for Hope House. This year’s teams include:

Adam Acquistapace and Acquistapace’s
Gabe Arnoult and Kevin Alario, and Desi Vega’s Steakhouse
Dr. Matthew Bernard and Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux
Trey Brownfield and Nathan’s Restaurant
Senator Beth Mizell and Joan Coffman, and Bon Sake Sushi & Bar
Chris Combs and Meribo
George Gomez and Pardos
Frank Jabbia and St. Tammany Parish Public Schools ProStart Program
Nick and Patrice LaRocca, and Roux 25
Mayor Clay Madden and Nan’s New Orleans Café
Paige Marler and Abita Roasting Co.
Senator Patrick McMath and Rep. Kim Carver, and Feliciana
Fire Chief Steven Michell and CharcuTori
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and Tchefuncte’s
Dr. Jason O’Rear and The Hampshire
Anthony Rutledge and Connor Brown, and Farm To Fire Louisiana
Dr. Jack Saux and Valencia Covington
DA Collin Sims and Haven Coffee and Cocktails

To access each team’s fundraising page, visit support.cachopehouse.org/HWC2026.

Hope House begins and continues the healing process for victims of child abuse, providing essential services like forensic interviews and free counseling to victims in St. Tammany and Washington Parishes.

The organization is primarily funded through private donations and grants, and Heroes Who Cook is its largest annual fundraiser.

The public is encouraged to participate in pre-event online “tipping” for their favorite teams from now through 11 p.m. on Oct. 31, with the total aggregated toward the Most Money Raised for Hope House Award.

Heroes Who Cook attendees can also tip their favorite teams at the event on Nov. 1, which will determine the People’s Choice Award.

Teams will also host their own promotions and events before Heroes Who Cook to raise money for the cause.

Event tickets are $105/person or $1,050/reserved table for 8 (limited availability), and can be purchased online beginning Sep. 1, 2026.