The John Besh Foundation Finally Drops John Besh’s Name

Representatives for the John Besh Foundation have announced a plan to “rebirth” the organization as the Made in New Orleans Foundation with Lauren Darnell as the executive director, reports Ian McNulty. Darnell previously worked for the Son of a Saint charity, an organization that provides assistance to fatherless boys.

The first event for the organization is indeed a “rebirth” at Felicity Church on October 18 celebrating the rebranding as well as past Chefs Move! scholarship recipients. The website for the event points out that rebirth “is defined as the action of reappearing or starting to flourish or increase after a decline; revival.”

Following Brett Anderson’s watershed report on a culture of sexual harassment in John Besh’s restaurants, Besh stepped down from his day-to-day role at his restaurant group. The restaurant group quickly dropped his name, changing its name from Besh Restaurant Group to BRG Hospitality.

The John Besh Foundation was established in 2011 and operates as a separate entity from the restaurant group, though the two work in collaboration. The foundation provided scholarships, grants, and loans to individuals in the New Orleans community. Made in New Orleans will continue those initiatives. The Aarón Sánchez Scholarship Fund split completely from Besh’s foundation.

Tickets for the rebranding event, on October 18 at Felicity Church, are $100 to $200 per person and include food from Warbucks chef Todd Pulsinelli.

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• Besh Nonprofit Becomes Made in New Orleans Foundation, But Mission of Chef Diversity Continues [ADVOCATE]
• John Besh Restaurants Fostered Culture of Sexual Harassment, 25 Women Say [NOLA.COM]
• John Besh Steps Down From Besh Restaurant Group [ENOLA]
• Besh Restaurant Group Is Now Called BRG Hospitality [ENOLA]