Deen & Besh Team Up to Help Louisiana Marshlands and Shrimpers

by Nicki Gostin, Posted May 26th 2010 @ 1:00PM

Photos: Judi Bottoni / AP Photo, Jeff Christensen / AP Photo

Two of the South's most famous chefs, New Orleans's native son John Besh and Food Network's Grande Dame Paula Deen who hails from Albany, Georgia, are teaming up this Saturday to co-host an event called 'Shrimp and Grits.'

The cooking demonstration and tasting is part of The New Orleans Wine and Food Experience, an annual culinary celebration of the city's celebrated fare paired with wines from all over the globe.

But Besh and Deen are not just cooking for the usual culinary fun of it. After 'Shrimp and Grits,' the duo will join other chefs to serve up Louisiana seafood at a $300-a-plate dinner at August, one of Besh's restaurants, to help raise money to help those affected by the recent oil spill. Proceeds will benefit the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation, specifically a wetlands foundation that will help mitigate the long term effects on the fertile marshlands, and a fund that is being set up to help the shrimpers who are unable to make a living right now.

Besh is passionate about getting the word out there that Louisiana seafood is safe to eat.

"We are doing whatever we can to raise money for those affected by this oil spill catastrophe that's been bungled by all the authorities including BP," Besh told Slashfood.

Originally Deen was not scheduled to participate in the food festival but after having a chat with Besh, she changed her mind.

"Paula's a close friend," explains Besh. "She comes from the low country so she knows how important these wetlands are both ecologically and culturally."

To show his appreciation, Besh is planning on taking Deen and her husband on a, "tour of his favorite dives to eat."
And will he be splitting the bill?

"I'll be paying," he says firmly. "She's my guest."

Filed Under: Chefs
Tags: john besh, new orleans wine and food experience, oil spill, oil spill louisiana, paula deen