The Ella Brennan Lifetime Achievement in Hospitality Award

Each year the Ella Brennan Lifetime Achievement in Hospitality Award is presented to a recipient who has made a lifetime commitment to the hospitality industry through extraordinary leadership, personal and professional accomplishments, and philanthropic contributions to the community. The award is named for legendary restaurateur Ella Brennan in honor of her deep passion and commitment, which has made a significant and longstanding impact on the New Orleans hospitality industry.

Thursday, January 9, 2025
VIP Reception: 6-7pm, Award Gala: 7-10pm
The Four Seasons New Orleans
2 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
The Plimsoll Ballroom

Dickie Brennan, Owner and Managing Partner of Dickie Brennan & Company, is our recipient of the 2025 Ella Brennan Lifetime Achievement in Hospitality Award for upholding the standards of Southern hospitality and his extraordinary contributions to our culinary culture and heritage; and for carrying on the legacy of Hospitality that his Aunt Ella embodied and inspired.

Attire: Cocktail attire

Parking:  There is self parking in the Poydras Parking Garage for $15. Or you can valet at the Four Seasons for a discounted event rate of $29 per car

Tickets To The Event:
VIP Table of 10: $2,500
Includes access to the VIP Reception from 6-7pm (Hors d'oeuvres, bubbly, and a full bar) and the Award Gala from 7-10pm with multiple food vendors, complimentary bottles of wine on your table, and access to multiple bars

Table of 10: $1,500
Includes access to the Award Gala from 7-10pm with multiple food vendors and access to multiple bars

VIP A La Carte Single Ticket: $275
Includes access to the VIP Reception from 6-7pm (Hors d'oeuvres, bubbly, and a full bar) and the Award Gala from 7-10pm with multiple food vendors, complimentary bottles of wine on your table, and access to multiple bars
*Please note that with an a la carte ticket, you will be seated with other attendees that have also purchased this ticket type

Award Gala A La Carte Single Ticket: $175
Includes access to the Award Gala from 7-10pm with multiple food vendors and access to multiple bars  *Please note that with an a la carte ticket, you will be seated with other attendees that have also purchased this ticket type

Purchase

The 2025 Ella Brennan Lifetime Achievement in Hospitality Award Gala Honoring Dickie Brennan

Past Recipients

2024 - Donald Link
2023 - Susan Spicer
2022 - Frank Brigtsen
2020 - John Folse 
2019 - Mark Romig
2018 - Emeril Lagasse
2016 - Ralph Brennan
2015 - Ron Forman 
2014 - Drago & Klara Cvitanovich
2013 - Leah Chase 
2012 - Bill Goldring
2011 - Paul Prudhomme
2010 - Ella Brennan

Ella Brennan, the late Grande Dame of New Orleans’ restaurateurs, once said her life’s work doesn’t feel much like work at all. “It’s a way of life; it’s not a job.” Ella Brennan’s contributions to the hospitality industry across New Orleans and America are legendary. To that, we raise a glass each year and celebrate her lifetime achievement by honoring those who follow in her footsteps.

  • 2021 - NOWFE presented the Ella Brennan “Stand Up for Your Hometown Award” to recipients who exhibited unwavering love and extended an extraordinary response to support the New Orleans community during the pandemic. Recipients included:

    • Al Copeland Jr., Al Copeland Foundation

    • Phil Moseley and Ronnie Evans, Blue Oak BBQ 

    • Robert Peyton and Troy Gilbert, Chef’s Brigade 

    • Zeid and Marv Ammari, Creole Cuisine Restaurant Concepts 

    • Erich and Jennifer Weishaupt, Lagniappe Krewe Emergency Relief Fund 

    • Devin De Wulf, Feed the Front Line and Feed the Second Line 

    • Donald Link and Stephen Stryjewski, Link Restaurant Group 

    • Jennifer Kelley Killian, Louisiana Hospitality Foundation

    • Lauren Darnell, MiNO Foundation 

    • Melvin Rodrigue, National Restaurant Association

    • Zach Strief, Port Orleans Brewing Co. 

    • Charles Armstrong, Peewee’s Crabcakes On the Go 

    • Isaac and Amanda Toups, Toups’ Meatery