OK, so I like a good party. And so does my friend Louis Ochoa, Slidell businessman who has had great success as owner of NOLA Grill, Pinewood Country Club and The Sadie Jane wedding and events center.
This year, as the 51st annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade is coming up on Sunday, March 8, it just so happens that my man Louis was picked as the 2026 King, along with his Queen, Kelly Hartmann, who has owned and operated Petals and Stems florist in Slidell for many years with her mom.
Picking Louis was very appropriate since the court for the parade, sponsored each year by the Olde Towne Merchants Association, is selected from people who contribute a lot to our community through their business, their effort to help other businesses, and a general reputation of being there when needed for Slidell. And that could mean any number of ways.
Louis came on the scene in Slidell just about the time I started The Slidell Independent in 2009. He had just purchased NOLA Grill, began advertising in my paper, and we have been good friends ever since. And I will say that one reason I especially like the guy is his ability to put together really good parties.
In the case of the party Louis put on at Pinewood Country Club on Sunday for the annual St. Patrick’s Parade King & Queen Brunch, it wasn’t just another one of his GOOD parties, this was actually a GREAT party. I wonder if the Olde Towne committee thought about that benefit when handing him the king’s crown?
As Louis and Kelly stood at the entrance to the brunch, welcoming all the guests, he came up with one of the most unique ideas I have ever seen to make the day all that much more fun.
After you were greeted by the king and queen, you started walking down the hallway but had to make a point to notice the left wall where it was decorated with plenty of green St. Patty’s decorations. Halfway down the wall were these gloved hands sticking out from the other side of the wall, offering glasses of green champagne!
What a great idea. I asked Louis if he stole the idea from someone else and he just smirked, smiled and then said, “Nope, I thought it up.”
But that was just the start of the fun for the packed crowd who came. After taking a short bit of time to welcome the entire crowd in the main ballroom, it was time to enjoy the brunch, and let me tell you, Louis makes sure nobody goes home hungry.
The brunch had every possible breakfast food you could imagine, but the real showstopper was a tray of Eggs Benedict, all apparently done perfectly.
You may be surprised to hear this, but I really like watching cooking shows, even though I am no cook at all. Gordon Ramsey is my favorite guy and I have seen many shows where the challenge for the contestants is to cook a “perfect Eggs Benedict.”
Many of you probably know what that means. You have to poach an egg so perfectly that as it sits on top of a piece of ham, then the English Muffin or croissant, and the first slice to cut the egg in half must end with the yolk oozing out of the egg and running over the rest of the food. It can’t be overdone or taken out of the boiling water too fast, and even I can tell that it can’t be easy. After all, you can’t see the egg! Anyway, the few places I saw folks eating them they were all perfect, including mine, so props to head Chef Beverly Acker.
I love Slidell since there are parties all over the place, virtually every week, and especially if you are involved in the business community or non-profit world, where there are lots of Business After Hours, luncheons, special fundraiser events and more.
I keep getting asked why I don’t retire now that I am plenty old enough to. But why would I want to when I get to attend things like the St. Patty Brunch? And trust me, the Chamber and East St. Tammany Business Alliance get togethers are plenty of fun as well.
As a businessperson, I have learned that face-to-face networking still works, and that comes very easily by attending these public events.
They are all over the place and one thing I know is that my buddy Louis isn’t just king of St. Patrick’s Day Parade this year, he’s king of putting on great party events.
By the way Louis, when is your next party? Count me in.
Kevin Chiri can be reached by e-mail at [email protected].
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