Royalty
A celebration of our cultural leaders - the people who make New Orleans such a wonderful place to live.
- Our 2024 royalty is Jerry Harkins jr., the executive chef at Clancy’s Restaurant . Our Dukes are Clancy’s 30-year grill master, Lawrence Allen, and Clancy’s barman extraordinaire (and artist) Garth Swanson. This year we will have a prince and his princess. Lafcadio Hearn’s great-grandson, Bon Koizumi, and his wife Shoko, will be parading with us.
- Our 2023 king was Frank Brigtsen of Brigtsen’s Restaurant . His wife, Marna, was our Queen. Her sisters were our Duchesses: Sandra Hanson and Rhonda Madach. The three ladies run the front of the house.
- We did not parade in 2022 or 2021 due to Covid.
- Our 2020 royalty was Tory McPhail of Commander's Palace.
- Our 2019 king was Slade Rushing of Brennan's Restaurant.Our Duke was Arthur Brocato, the proprietor of Angelo Brocato Ice Cream and Confectionery .
- Our 2018 royalty was Chef Tommy DiGiovanni of Arnaud's. Our Dukes were Charles Abbyad (emeritus head maitre d’ with 35 years of service) and Chris Hannah (head of their James Beard Award winning bar program).
- Our 2017 royalty was Chef Leah Chase and Chef John Folse.
- Our 2016 royalty was Chef Sue Zemanick of Gautreau's. Our Duchess was JoAnn Clevenger of Upperline.
- Our 2015 king was Chef Michael Regua of Antoine's. Our Duke was Sterling Constant, in his 47th year at Antoine's, and probably the longest-serving waiter in New Orleans.
- Our 2014 king was Chef Alon Shaya of Domenica Restaurant.
- Our 2013 king was Chef Tenney Flynn of GW Fins, and our Duchess was pastry chef Megan Forman of Gracious Bakery.
- Our 2012 royalty were Chef Susan Spicer of Bayona and Chef John Besh of the John Besh Group.
Mardi Gras is traditionally the pagan feast prior to the Christian Lenten Fast. The pagan part is already well covered by others. We choose to focus on celebrating our local culture, and in particular, our culinary leaders.
