Scuttlebutt: Celeb chefs unite to support La. seafood industry

Chefs ahoy: Gulf Coast residents aren’t the only ones concerned about preserving our coast: This weekend, on the invitation of Chef John Folse, a number of the nation’s leading celebrity chefs will head down to Grand Isle to get a gander at the damage. “I’ve been bombarded with questions from chefs about the seafood industry in Louisiana,” Folse said. ” ‘How bad is it? Can we still get Louisiana seafood? What can I do to help?’ Finally, I just said, ‘Come on down and have a look for yourself.’ ” The culinary cadre—whose numbers will include Rick Tramonto, Charles Carrol, Dean Fearing, Rick Moonen and Susur Lee—will arrive this Sunday for a disaster tour of the waters surrounding Grand Isle. On Monday morning at the Bridge Side Marina at 10 a.m., each chef will comment on the value of Louisiana seafood to his restaurant and state, while acclaimed artist Michael Israel will create two paintings to be auctioned off to benefit the Friends of the Fishermen fund. A seafood luncheon will follow. “I am honored that these amazing chefs are traveling to Louisiana to show their support of our Louisiana fishing communities,” said Ewell Smith, Executive Director of Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board. “These chefs understand the value of Louisiana seafood to the nation, and their presence helps lift spirits and shows our fishermen that they are not alone.”