$284,000 RAISED AT GALATOIRE’S MARDI GRAS TABLE AUCTION
NEW ORLEANS – Feb. 6, 2025 – Galatoire’s Restaurant and Galatoire Foundation raised more than $284,000 at its annual Mardi Gras Table Auction, held Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, in Galatoire’s historic first floor main dining room. The event featured a festive evening of competitive bidding, signature Galatoire’s hors d’oeuvres and complimentary champagne. The highest bid of the night was $22,000 for a table for 8. In total, 154 seats were auctioned for the Friday before Mardi Gras.
To close out the evening, a private in-home dinner for 10 prepared by Executive Chef Phillip Lopez, including five courses with wine pairings, garnered a winning bid of $16,000.
Combined with the Christmas Auction held in December, a record-breaking $440,000 was raised for this year’s beneficiaries. To date, the table auctions have raised more than $4.3 million for local charities.
“We are continually amazed by the incredible generosity of our loyal patrons,” said Melvin Rodrigue, Galatoire Foundation president. “It is truly inspiring how their unwavering support allows us to leverage the Friday lunches before Christmas and Mardi Gras year after year to give back to organizations that are making New Orleans a better place to live and work every day.”
Annually, Galatoire Foundation holds Christmas and Mardi Gras table auctions to assist in supporting local nonprofit organizations. Money raised during the year’s table auctions benefit Galatoire Foundation and eight other local non-profits, including two table partners: STEM NOLA and Volunteers of America of Southeast Louisiana and six micro grant recipients: Edible Schoolyard New Orleans, Ignatian Volunteer Corps New Orleans, NOCHI, Son of a Saint, The Big Easy Wing of the Commemorative Air Force and The Bright School.
Since 2006, auction proceeds have benefitted dozens of New Orleans-area charitable organizations, from neighborhood rebuilding projects and crime prevention to youth programs and entrepreneurship efforts. Past recipients include NAMI New Orleans, Bayou District Foundation, Covenant House, Patio Planters of the Vieux Carré, Dress for Success, Audubon Nature Institute, Liberty’s Kitchen, The Idea Village, The New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation, The Roots of Music, Kingsley House and more.
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About Galatoire Foundation
Galatoire Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to giving back to the New Orleans community and region that has patronized Galatoire’s for generations, allowing us to secure generations to come and remain a cornerstone in representing Louisiana and its authentic culture. Galatoire Foundation’s community involvement extends across south Louisiana, working through Galatoire’s, Galatoire’s “33” and Galerie de Galatoire. More information can be found here.