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GambitWeekly's Home Smart September 2002
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Joel Dondis is the picture of a modern-day multitasker. Several hours before an intimate Asian-themed dinner party at his newly-renovated Uptown home, Dondis, an accomplished chef and owner of Joel, a catering and event planning company, is holding and cooing to his 11-month-old daughter, perusing the shelves of his sizeable butler's pantry, communicating with members of his staff via cell phone, advising the waiters on how the table will be set, and overseeing the finer points of paring pineapples. He moves from task to task with the smooth agility of a fish darting in and out of sea grass. Whether it's an event for hundreds or dinner for eight, Dondis is attuned to every detail from the kitchen to the table.
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Harper's Bazaar |
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During the holiday season in New Orleans Joel produces many fabulous holiday events. But for five years running the event of the "social" holiday season is the annual Christmas Open house hosted by John and Dathel Georges at their home on the famed tree-lined Audubon Place, a stone's throw from St. Charles Avenue, in New Orleans. Every year Joel centers this soiree around a larger than life themed (and edible!) holiday centerpiece. From white chocolate flocked trees to gingerbread Cajun cottages each display is truly a culinary creation of sweets that will tempt you to eat the "art." The party, attended by some 300 guests, is well known even beyond New Orleans social circles, and has been featured in the pages of Harper's Bazaar.
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Southern Accents |
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Anne Kearney, chef and owner of Peristyle in New Orleans, wed Tom Sand Jr. in the wedding of her dreams. To help make the arrangements she called on an old friend, Joel Dondis, with whom she had worked at Emeril's. She told Joel she knew what she wanted him to prepare for her wedding reception before she had even thought about a dress. Anne had been featured in the pages of Food and Wine Magazine as a "Top Ten Chefs To Watch," so when the phone rang Joel was happy and honored to oblige his dear friend. Southern Accents featured the event in the entertaining section of their magazine ... "And in the end, every ingredient was balanced in a perfect gumbo. Lovely weather of soft sunshine and the spicy flavors of a unique city prompted the mother of the bride to pause between dances and beam, 'No wonder everyone knows what it means to love New Orleans.'"
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ESPN Classic |
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As thousands of fans gathered in New Orleans for the 2002 Super Bowl, Joel particpated in the festivites by preparing some of his famous dishes in a cooking segment for ESPN Classic with host Jeff Cesario. Joel tempted taste buds with his famous Creole cuisine and favorites like Jambalya Cakes with Sauteed Spinach and Barbecued Shrimp, Sugar Cane Prawn Rolls served with a Coconut Thai Dipping sauce and his famed White Chocolate Pecan Pie.
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InStyle |
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When musician Emerson Hart and his fiancé Nicole Taylor started to plan their wedding weekend they decided that a destination wedding was in order. He had recorded music in New Orleans and she had fallen in love with the city's southern charm and grace. They both agreed that a private home in the heart of the New Orleans French Quarter would be the perfect setting for their small celebration, in what is sometimes referred to as the Big Easy. They exchanged vows on the balcony of the Vaccari House amongst family and friends. After their vows, guests dined on a menu of Grand Oysters, Jambalaya Cakes topped with BBQ shrimp, Cochon De Lait, (the southern version of a suckling pig) and sumptuous Beef Tenderloin. New Orleans own Re-Birth Brass Band played the night away as guests danced the Cajun two-step in the courtyard below. The wedding was featured in the pages of InStyle Magazine's issue showcasing Celebrity Weddings.
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InStyle |
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Joel's latest feather in his cap is the marketing success of his now famous White Chocolate Pecan Pie. The pie was featured in the pages of InStyle Magazine as a "Top 100 Gourmet Food Gift" for the holiday season. The pie comes in two other varieties: Dark Chocolate and Coconut Macadamia. All three varieties of the pecan pie are available for purchase on this website.
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American Press |
Columnist Sonny Marks profiled New Orleans catering Chef Proprietor Joel Dondis, as well as other members of his immediate family for an article in Lake Charles' newspaper, American Press. Highlights of the article include a dinner thrown for U.S. Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., who, on January 2, 2003, announced his bid for president. While campaigning in New Orleans, Joel catered a dinner served in honor of the Senator. As the article sites, favorite dishes served include Shrimp Remoulade, Grand Oysters, Loin of Lamb, Crabmeat and Avocado Timbale, Petit Filet Mignon, Hickory-grilled Gulf Shrimp and Bananas Foster Cobbler. Along with the achievements of Joel's sister, Elizabeth, an established photographer, the article also sites several of Joel's career highlights; including Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans when he catered the FOX gala, a party for 2,000 given by sports superagents Leigh Steinberg and Jeff Moorad at Jazzland and his live appearance on the ESPN Classic Road Show.
View the complete text of Sonny Marks' profile of Joel here.
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Today Show
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Joel's
now famous White Chocolate Pecan Pie appeared on the NBC Today
Show during a "Holiday Gift Giving" segment.
It was featured with other gourmet food gifts in a segment hosted
by Katie Couric and Charla Krupp from InStyle magazine.
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Food Network
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Joel's
now famous White Chocolate Pecan Pie appeared on a "Best Of" segment
on the Food Network. It was featured with other gourmet food
gifts in a segment
hosted by Charla Krupp
from InStyle magazine.
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