Kevin Garrett
There are plenty of reasons that Chef Luke Hidalgo has been named one of this year’s Small Town Chefs by Country Roads. (Did you see his dish on the cover?!) But the process truly began with a nomination from Renee Kientz. In her job as vice president of communications for the St. Tammany Parish Tourist Commission, Renee was a tireless cheerleader for the small businesses that make the Northshore such a special place. Her curiosity was boundless and many of the stories she discovered can be found in the pages of Explore the Northshore, the quarterly visitors’ guide that was her pride and joy. I still can’t get used to referring to my dear friend and mentor in the past tense—Renee passed away suddenly March 3. A journalist, a foodie, an animal lover, a fan of all things New Orleans, and always queen of Mardi Gras, Renee was whip-smart and never met a stranger. When she talked about one of “her” chefs, restaurants, attractions, or human interest stories, her enthusiasm was irresistible. Although her job was to promote the Northshore, it was never a job to her. It was a passion. The consummate storyteller, Renee was adored by many for her generosity and zest for life and laughter. Renee Kientz was a bright light and her spirit lives on in our hearts and memories.
We dedicate this year’s Small Town Chefs Awards to the memory of Renee Kientz, who knew better than anyone the power of close-knit community, and of good food to bring people together. Read Beth D’Addono’s profileof Chef Luke Hidalgo here.
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