- 2 hours ago
Let the cocktails flow as the ESSENCE Cook-Off puts a spirited spin on one of New Orleans' most iconic drinks. In this lively Hurricane cocktail competition, two talented bartenders will go head-to-head, each crafting their own signature take on the legendary Crescent City classic. From bold flavors and creative ingredients to technique, presentation, and personality, competitors will showcase their mixology skills while paying homage to a cocktail deeply rooted in New Orleans culture.
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00:05I need to make sure y'all know you and the presence of greatness here.
00:09They're about to do their thing.
00:10I mean, how y'all doing?
00:11So, look, we are at the Food and Wine Festival stage here for Essence 2026.
00:18Anybody go out to the concerts last night?
00:20Yeah?
00:21Who y'all's rocking with?
00:23Big Bama?
00:25Or Cardi?
00:26Okay, Lonnie.
00:27Okay.
00:28Okay.
00:28All right.
00:29That's what I'm talking about.
00:30Oh, Cardi.
00:32So, look, I know y'all had a great time.
00:35And you may have even had one of these last night if you got some live basins.
00:40Hurricane's a classic New Orleans drink.
00:41Anybody had a hurricane before?
00:44Yeah?
00:45All right.
00:45Well, you're about to get real hurricanes here.
00:48Not the ones that you sometimes get in some of those kind of artificial manufacture spots.
00:53They're going to go to the essence of this piece literally here today.
00:57So, this is a classic.
00:59And it has become a classic in this city, from this city.
01:02And we're going to have a little competition here.
01:05We have some amazing mixologists that are going to do their thing.
01:10And we're going to go ahead and have some judges as well.
01:12So, we have two judges over there.
01:14And I'm going to do double duty.
01:15I'm going to jump off the stage and I'm going to judge, too.
01:17I never saw a hurricane that I didn't like.
01:19So, we're going to have a good time right here.
01:21Look, you, too.
01:23Okay.
01:23Oh, you want to be a judge.
01:24No, you can't have mine.
01:25No, no.
01:26But I'm a while away from Q93 and iHeartMedia.
01:30And also, I work with the New Orleans Pelicans.
01:32But I'm about to turn this over to our mixologist and our host, which will be Ms. Toya Russin.
01:39Oh, she's going to be the judge.
01:40She's going to be the judge.
01:40Are you hosting?
01:42She's doing double duty.
01:43And we got Mr. Happy Hour as well.
01:46Give it up for everybody that's a part of this panel.
01:50Now, our competitors here today are Ms. Eve Marie Haydale.
01:56I'm going to get out of the way right here, right here.
01:58Also, we got Toya Moody.
02:00She is doing some amazing things in the kitchen and with cocktails.
02:03I need some of your food.
02:05Your food be looking good.
02:07Tell your daughter I say hello, too.
02:08And then also, we have Ms. Bobby Ray.
02:11Y'all giving up for Bobby Ray.
02:12Not only is she a mixologist, but she's also a renowned singer as well.
02:16You're singing today?
02:17I might.
02:18Okay.
02:18Okay.
02:19That's what I'm talking about.
02:20So, I'm going to get out of the way.
02:22Going to get this started.
02:22It's called the Hurricane Royale.
02:25I need Mr. Happy Hour out here.
02:27My man can't wait yet, baby.
02:30Y'all give it up for Mr. Happy Hour.
02:36What's happening?
02:37What's happening?
02:38What's happening, Carol?
02:40Welcome.
02:41We are so excited.
02:42Today is the Hurricane Challenge right here at the food and wine stage for Essence 2025, 2076.
02:50Oh, Lord.
02:51As my man, I always say we have some amazing contestants today.
02:56Ms. Bobby Ray, tell us a little bit about yourself.
02:59Yes, I'm Bobby Ray.
03:00I am a singer, songwriter, artist, as well as a mixologist.
03:03And I'm excited to do this twist on a hurricane today.
03:07I'm an island girl living in New Orleans, so it's called Island Girl with a Twist.
03:11Okay.
03:11All right.
03:12All right.
03:12And Bobby competed last year.
03:14So, I'm looking to see how she adds a little something something for this year's drink.
03:18All right.
03:19Next, we have Ms. Eve Marie.
03:22Hello.
03:22Hello.
03:23Hello, hello, hello.
03:24So, I'm being introduced to you, too.
03:26Tell me a little bit about yourself.
03:27Well, I'm Eve Marie Heidel.
03:29I am the beverage director at Dookie Chase's Restaurant, as well as Chapter 4.
03:34Awesome.
03:34Awesome.
03:35Awesome.
03:35And also a cocktail cultural curator.
03:38So, I curate cocktails that tell stories.
03:40Oh, I love that.
03:41About our city and about my family and about everything that I have grown up to know.
03:46That's beautiful.
03:47That's beautiful.
03:48All right.
03:48And then our final competitor is Ms. Toya.
03:50How are you doing?
03:51Good.
03:52How are you?
03:53I'm well.
03:53I'm well.
03:54We're going to do the same.
03:54Give us just a little bit about yourself here.
03:56All right.
03:57I'm a New Orleanian chef.
03:58I'm an entertainment chef.
03:59So, I primarily do a lot of things on television.
04:01I'm a cookbook author, as well.
04:04And as of July 18th, I'm two years sober.
04:08Oh.
04:08So, yeah.
04:10Okay.
04:10So, I'm offering my option B for anyone who wants an option with drinking.
04:16That's amazing.
04:17You know, as time goes on, people are definitely going into those sober options.
04:22So, I definitely want to try that out.
04:24All right.
04:24I always say this body is built by New Orleans.
04:27As much as I eat, as much as I drink, I can't wait to taste what we got here.
04:32All right.
04:33We have our esteemed judges panel.
04:38So, we'll go ahead.
04:39Ms. Toya, I'll let you introduce yourself.
04:43Hi.
04:43I am Toya Johnson Russian.
04:45I am a New Orleans native.
04:47And I know all about the hurricanes, okay?
04:50I'm excited to try them.
04:52I cannot wait to see.
04:53But I have one question for you, ladies.
04:55Okay.
04:55Well, first, I guess we're going to go around and introduce the panel.
04:58And I'm going to come back.
04:59And I have a question.
04:59Because I want to know.
05:02Hello, everyone.
05:04Hello.
05:04How are y'all feeling?
05:07Listen, it's Essence Fest.
05:08And it's time to have an amazing cocktail in the city that created the cocktail.
05:13So, please, let's make some noise for our amazing bartenders.
05:17I am Crystal Garner, also known as KG, winner of BET's The Grand Hustle.
05:21I've been in the hospitality industry for over 15 years.
05:24And I'm currently the regional agave master for Bacardi, USA.
05:28So, I'm excited to sip some rum, sip some amazing hurricanes.
05:31And let's have some fun.
05:33All right.
05:35I'll reintroduce myself, Wild Wayne, from iHeart Media.
05:38And your New Orleans Pelicans and the voice of New Orleans.
05:40I hold it down for each one of y'all.
05:42And all our folks up here can't wait to get the competition cracking
05:45and see how they do a twist on the classic hurricane.
05:48So, let's get it started.
05:50Mr. Happy Hour.
05:52Let's go.
05:52Let's go.
05:53So, we're going to get this started.
05:54We're going to let you guys go.
05:56We're all going to make the drinks at the same time.
05:59I will come around.
06:00I'll still be asking questions.
06:02So, I hope that y'all can shake, stir, and pour while still keeping the conversation going.
06:08Absolutely.
06:08All right.
06:09I think we're ready.
06:10So, we can start.
06:12All right.
06:13So, Eve, one of my favorite items over at Chapter 4 is definitely the gumbo.
06:19And then I also added with the...
06:21They kicked me out of the kitchen.
06:22So, I have nothing to do with the gumbo.
06:24So, listen.
06:24I'm going to say, you guys have a cocktail.
06:29It is red in color.
06:32The Leah's Garden.
06:33Leah's Garden.
06:34Leah's Garden.
06:35Yes.
06:35Was that one of your creations?
06:37Well, a part of the Leah's Garden is coming in here, but that is absolutely one of my creations.
06:41I named it after my grandmother, Leah Chase.
06:44She spent a lot of time in the strawberry fields when she was growing up and picking strawberries with my
06:50great-grandfather.
06:51So, you know, they would make strawberry wine.
06:54So, everything that I do, I try to incorporate that strawberry from Madisonville, Punctitula, where they were raised.
07:00That's amazing.
07:01And I think, you know, earlier she said that she really tried to tell stories through her drinks.
07:06And just now, she was just saying she correlated that cocktail back to her grandmother and back to that family,
07:13which is amazing.
07:14Again, if you have not already tried it, please stop over at Chapter 4.
07:19It's from the Chase family, which is a historic family here in the city.
07:22And those cocktails are really good.
07:24Now, one thing y'all might not know, so, Bobby Ray makes a mean drink, but she also can sing.
07:29So, she's one of my favorite songsters in the city.
07:32But when she's not singing, she's making drinks.
07:35So, tell me, kind of, what's something you're putting in your cocktail today, Ms. Bobby?
07:39I'm definitely using guava.
07:41Guava is a fruit of the Caribbean.
07:43I love using guava.
07:44And then everything else, you've got to wait.
07:47Can't give away too much.
07:48So, are there any people here who are not doing alcohol or interested in alcohol, non-alcoholic drinks?
07:57We've got a couple.
07:58So, good.
07:59This is perfect for it.
08:00So, tell me, we're just getting on to two years sober.
08:03Yeah.
08:03How have you enjoyed mixology or the cocktail lifestyle without the alcohol?
08:11I think it's just been more of a concentrated focus with me, you know, where I'm not really thinking about
08:17it.
08:17I'm doing other things in replacement, you know, and then I've found, you know, I've taken solace in different things
08:22like non-alcoholic wine, non-alcoholic, because a lot of it is communal.
08:27You know, that's a lot of times when we want to drink, we're thinking, well, wait, I really want to
08:31have this feeling of community.
08:32So, that's what we really look for and stuff like that.
08:35So, you know, I find ways to give it to myself still.
08:38Yeah.
08:40I'm excited.
08:40I'm excited to taste everyone's, but I want to definitely get on this one.
08:43Now, I've got to come over here and talk to our judges.
08:47You already said one of your favorite drinks is the Hurricane.
08:50Where are you pulling yours from?
08:51Are there any spots in New Orleans that you'd like to go and have a cocktail?
08:55I say I know all about them.
08:57I didn't say.
08:59And I'm looking forward to trying these.
09:02But I didn't have a few daiquiri shops and different things like that.
09:05But I'm looking forward to trying these.
09:09Now, you are an agave master.
09:12If you guys don't know what agave is, that is what tequila is made out of.
09:17So, with Bacardi, we're looking at our Patrons, our Casadores, things like that.
09:23But I've been to the Hacienda.
09:27Look, it's amazing.
09:29It's amazing.
09:29But usually, and I don't think anybody here is using it, this is usually, the Hurricane is usually made with
09:36rum.
09:36So, what would, if you had to, would you add a tequila to it?
09:41Or do you think that the Hurricane is perfect the way it is?
09:43Tell me a little bit about what you would do to it.
09:47Yeah.
09:47First and foremost, I know we all love to drink a little tequila.
09:50If you're a tequila drinker, raise your hand.
09:52I see it.
09:53I see it.
09:54I love tequila, and it's a very versatile spirit.
09:57But when it comes to rum, you have to understand its history and its culture.
10:00So, I would not disrespect the Hurricane cocktail, especially with it coming around in the 1940s,
10:06because people were drinking a lot of whiskey, but whiskey wasn't being able to be exported over here.
10:11So, we had to drink a lot more rum.
10:13And New Orleans decided to create the Hurricane cocktail instead of just letting the rum sit on the shelf and
10:19waste.
10:19And the goal was to make sure that the spirit still shined.
10:22So, while you're here in New Orleans, it would behoove you to enjoy a Hurricane cocktail.
10:27So, I wouldn't change anything.
10:29I would just drink a lot more of it.
10:33My girl.
10:35Thank you for sharing that history.
10:38Now, Wayne, are you a Hurricane person?
10:41That's important.
10:42I like cold things.
10:46I like cold things.
10:46So, wait.
10:47Where's a place for our non-New Orleanians who are, everybody's always active, where should I try out?
10:54Give me two of your favorite spots here in the city that you should try out for food and drink.
10:59Well, since we're talking drinks, one of my favorite drinks is the sidecar.
11:07And actually, oh, there you go.
11:09Sidecar fans.
11:10My.
11:10Now, and this is a spot that started in New Orleans but is international now.
11:16It's Ruth Chris Steakhouse.
11:17They have a great Blackberry sidecar.
11:19So, I don't know if you've tried those, but they are excellent.
11:22And actually, I used to get sidecars at Banana Blossom on the West Bank that were always really strong and
11:29really cold.
11:32Shake it, I'm stirred, huh?
11:34So, that's some of my favorites.
11:35Also, I mean, I like a good Pimm's cup, another liquor, a cocktail that was really made popular here in
11:43New Orleans.
11:44And also, you've got to go to Sazerac and try another New Orleans brand that has made its way globally.
11:52So, that's my kind of three that are going to give you all the N-O in it.
11:55I'll bring the glass, too.
11:57Those are fantastic, fantastic locations.
12:00I also want to give a shout-out just because he just showed up.
12:02This is my guy, Prince, right over here.
12:04If you haven't been, you have to try out Adi Snola.
12:07It is one of the best restaurants in the city.
12:11And also, with Ethiopian food, but just with a New Orleans twist, it's fantastic.
12:17It's on a historic road called Bayou Road.
12:19So, if you're looking for something to do, definitely go and check out Adi Snola.
12:23And like I said, my guy, Prince, is here.
12:25It looks like we're getting close to being done.
12:28So, each one of our judges will get one of the drinks.
12:34So, I see – so, you know, I think one of the things we have – so, my girl, Bobbi,
12:42went with guava.
12:45Eve, you went with a strawberry base.
12:47A strawberry strub.
12:49Okay, all right, all right.
12:50And then what fruits did we use over here?
12:52Orange, mango, and passion fruit.
12:55That's amazing.
12:56So, you know, this is – a hurricane is strong, but it gives a very similar feel to that rump
13:01punch that everyone kind of loves.
13:03So, I'm interested to see how everyone does it.
13:05I'm going to go ahead and start giving these out to our judges.
13:11Are we doing any pictures of these?
13:14I just want to – before we take them out.
13:19Just real quick – check, check.
13:23I would have – I would have loved to do it.
13:28All right.
13:28So, we're going to go.
13:42All right.
14:13So, you should be – no, no, you should be like this.
14:27We've got to live vicariously through the judges today.
14:33I feel like this one might be mine.
14:35I'm about to make yours right now.
14:37Oh, okay.
14:37All right.
14:37All right.
14:37If anybody else want to make me one, I'll also take that.
14:42All right.
14:42So, our judges are diving into their cocktails.
14:45Again, I think one of the biggest things that's here is every one of our contestants put their own spin
14:51on this hurricane.
14:52A hurricane is so popular in New Orleans, but every person could do their own thing.
14:55We have a guava base here.
14:57We have this strawberry shrub here.
15:00We're using mangoes and non-alcoholics on the end.
15:03So, we're really excited about that.
15:05So, Bobby, can we tell people where can we find you right now?
15:09Yes.
15:09As far as on social media, The Real Bobby Ray across all platforms, and I am an event bartender.
15:16Awesome.
15:17Can we spell Bobby Ray?
15:18Because –
15:18Yes.
15:19B-O-B-P-I-R-A-E.
15:21B-O-B-B-I-R-A-E.
15:23Miss Eve, I know that you said that you are at Chapter 4 and at your original Dookie Chase, correct?
15:29Uh-huh.
15:29Or your cocktails are there.
15:30Are you ever behind the bar?
15:32I am.
15:32I'm at Dookie's on Friday and Saturday nights.
15:35Oh, okay.
15:35Friday night, that's my parents' favorite night to go.
15:39There's so much energy there.
15:40Y'all open a little longer.
15:42So, I love that.
15:42Beautiful dinner menu.
15:43Beautiful dinner menu.
15:44Y'all heard that.
15:45If you haven't been to Dookie Chase, definitely go check that out.
15:47And then, Miss Toya, where can we find you?
15:49Let's get your social media, and then where can we see you in person?
15:53My social media is my name, Toya Bodey, B-O-U-D-Y.
15:57Currently, I'm on tour right now for my book that I just released, Cooking from Scratch.
16:02So, I'll leave back out in July.
16:03So, if you keep up with me on social media, I'll post all of my whereabouts.
16:07So, you'll be able to come see me in person.
16:10Awesome.
16:10Awesome.
16:11Awesome.
16:12Judges, do we need a little more time?
16:15We're still working through it.
16:16They're still sipping.
16:18They're still letting it touch their system.
16:20Yes.
16:23My beautiful bartenders, do you mind sharing the story and inspiration behind why you chose
16:29the flavor variant or profile for your cocktails?
16:32Yes, I could start.
16:34My mother is from the Bahamas, Nassau, Bahamas.
16:36She is now with the ancestors.
16:38But I try to keep her.
16:39I love to keep her close with me.
16:40So, anytime that I'm cooking in the way, she taught me how to cook.
16:44Anytime I'm cooking, I'm going to bring Caribbean flavors and Caribbean profiles into my product.
16:52Well, being at the Hurricane was created here out of necessity because for every one case
16:57of whiskey we could get in the 40s, we had to procure five cases of rump.
17:02So, we had to do something with that.
17:03But along with that, I wanted to highlight two local spirits.
17:07I like to use as much local products as possible, whether it's produce and whether it's spirits.
17:11So, this is a local, actually they make their own, they're a sugar refinery.
17:17So, they're one of the largest sugar refineries and this is just a byproduct of their sugar.
17:22So, this is a single estate refinery where they're using their own molasses and their own agricole.
17:28Well, this one that I chose to use, a white rum, there's a black-owned sugar former called the Provost
17:35Farm.
17:35They're five generations in.
17:37And they partner with this local sugar refinery and rum company to do their own rum.
17:42So, that's what this is.
17:44So, I'm celebrating another black family, generational legacy in the rum that I presented here today,
17:49along with telling the story of my family through my grandmother's strawberries and just fresh fruits and veggies.
17:56Do you guys also use those rums at the restaurant?
17:58Yes.
17:59Awesome, awesome, awesome.
18:01Toya?
18:02All right.
18:03So, with me, aesthetically, when I would drink back when I did, I didn't want something that would possibly stain
18:10my tongue.
18:11You know, I would feel like a five-year-old who just had a snowball or a lollipop.
18:15So, I didn't like that feeling.
18:16So, I didn't go for the red profile.
18:18I wanted more of a mutable color scheme because I didn't want to drink and then open my mouth.
18:23And then you catch the rum.
18:24You know, I'm that kind of person.
18:26So, I aimed towards that and this, the non-alcoholic rum, it's more of an aromatic.
18:32You know, it doesn't have that punch and that kick because if it did, think about it, if it did
18:37have that punch and that kick,
18:38it would probably kick you back into the habit.
18:40You know, so, you see what I did there?
18:43You saw it.
18:46But, it gives the aromatic feel to where you still feel like I'm doing something a little more than nothing.
18:51You know, it's not water.
18:52Yes.
18:56I often do, I do a dry August.
18:59And one of the biggest things is when you go out, people are always like, hey, can I get you
19:03a drink?
19:04But having something in your hand definitely allows them to feel comfortable, which, you know, but it makes you feel
19:09comfortable, too.
19:10It allows you to have your space and things, too.
19:12So, this is perfect for that.
19:14So, I think our judges are getting close or have finished up.
19:21We're still talking.
19:23I think.
19:24Actually, we think.
19:28Let me taste it.
19:30Let me taste it.
19:30I want to taste what you do.
19:35It doesn't happen.
19:36They're figuring out that the winner's now.
19:38I know the flavor profiles are amazing.
19:41I was thinking jalapeno.
19:42Cinnamon jalapeno flavor.
19:43I was thinking jalapeno.
19:45We do?
19:46Okay, okay, okay, okay.
19:47I thought that.
19:47I thought I said if it happened.
19:49It's really good.
19:51We do have our winner.
19:59Can we get a drum roll as they keep going?
20:05All right, I'm out of breath.
20:06Y'all got to go.
20:11You know what?
20:13Because I'm a nice guy and I don't want to be.
20:16I'm going to let my ball.
20:17Wow, Wayne.
20:19He think he's slick.
20:21He think he's slick.
20:22He just don't want to hold that torch.
20:24But you know what?
20:25I'm okay.
20:26Don't be scared.
20:27After we've tallied these up, it was very, very close.
20:32Y'all give it up for all three of our bartenders, our mixologists.
20:37And then I think I'll just tell you my choice in the top numbers
20:43were based upon flavor profile.
20:46Now, there were some other things,
20:48but I just like how the flavors came together
20:50and also the thought process.
20:53I thought there was a good thought process.
20:54And I was watching y'all.
20:55Y'all looking all professional and stuff up there.
20:58And did you have any additional words on how you got to your top selection?
21:02Yeah.
21:03One, first and foremost, we're at Essence Fest,
21:06and it's always about storytelling.
21:07So, storytelling definitely was forefront.
21:09But as well as making sure that the rum was present,
21:12I was still able to enjoy it.
21:13It was palatable, blended correctly,
21:15as well as getting the flavor that was noted by the bartender,
21:19making sure that passion fruit was still present,
21:21and a little bit of citrus.
21:22So, that's how I kind of derived to it was really close.
21:25You did a great job.
21:26But with somebody just, ah, just hit it on the nose.
21:30I will piggyback off of her.
21:33The taste.
21:34I was able to, like, really, really taste everything
21:37in the choice that I picked first.
21:39But they all were really, really good.
21:41So, yeah.
21:43All right.
21:44Now we're going to have our winner.
21:45And drum roll, please.
21:48Your winner of the 2026 Hurricane Royale
21:54was Eve Marie Biddle.
21:57Wow.
21:58Okay.
21:59Thank you, guys.
22:01That's wonderful.
22:02That's wonderful.
22:03Congratulations, Miss Eve.
22:04Congratulations to everyone who participated.
22:06Thank you, our judges.
22:07Listen, you guys heard,
22:09if you want to try any of these cocktails,
22:12feel free.
22:13You've got to go over to Chapter 4.
22:15You've got to go check out Dookie Chase.
22:16If you have the pleasure,
22:18you have to find where Miss Bobby Ray is,
22:20not only behind the bar,
22:22but also when she's behind the mic.
22:23Again, one of the best voices in the city.
22:25And then, Miss Toya, whenever you are available,
22:28you have to come back and show people,
22:30and you have to pop up somewhere
22:31and do your non-alcoholic drinks.
22:33I think that's a huge market
22:35that people are starting to explore,
22:37and it's beautiful.
22:38I think I need Toya at my limb in your ears
22:41because it's non-alcoholic.
22:42I think we need to collab.
22:44And that's what this is about.
22:45That's what Essence is all about.
22:48So, we thank you, guys.
22:50We have our next item coming up in a little bit,
22:53but I guess we'll come together
22:54and take pictures and everything.
22:56Thank you, thank you, thank you.
22:58Thank you, thank you.
23:00Thank you, thank you, thank you.
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