2023 BOARD
CHRISTA COTTON - President
There are spirits and then there’s spirit, and Christa Cotton embodies both. A native of Leesburg, Georgia, Christa moved to New Orleans after helping her parents open Thirteenth Colony Distilleries, Georgia's first legal distillery since Prohibition, while in college at Auburn. After a stint in advertising, Christa founded New Orleans Beverage Group and purchased the El Guapo trademark in 2017. Specializing in zero-proof bitters, El Guapo has expanded into syrups and mixers and is Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) certified. Christa is a 7x Good Food Award winner, LEE Initiative mentor, Les Dames d'Escoffier Legacy Award: Fine Spirits recipient, and a Fellow in both the Tory Burch Foundation and the James Beard Foundation. She currently serves as the President of Les Dames d’Escoffier New Orleans and Monarch of Krewe de Nieux, a social aid and pleasure club for New Orleans Entrepreneurs. She’s successfully raised seven figures in investment capital and relocated from 1,800 square feet to a 32,500 square foot production facility & warehouse in Mid-City. She’s been featured in Southern Living, Forbes, Garden & Gun, Martha Stewart and Fedex Small Business national ad campaigns. She lives Uptown in a pink 1902 double shotgun with her 4-year old, Flora, life partner, Brian and Bernese Mountain Dog, Archie Manning. It’s a vibe & she is busy.
CAMILLE COLLINS - Secretary
Camille Collins is the Director of Marketing & Communications for the Commander’s Family of Restaurants. With 20 years of combined marketing, event planning, and business development experience within the hospitality and food industries, she is a leader in her field. Camille worked in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry for more than a decade in New Orleans and New York and has a successful track record in product research and development, product labeling regulations, business expansion and rebranding, and even interior design projects. She worked with Chef Paul Prudhomme and his Magic Seasoning Blends in New Orleans and with Les Trois Petits Cochons, one of the oldest specialty food companies in the United States, while in New York. At Commander’s Palace, Camille leverages her background and experience to contribute to the growing company. She is currently working towards expanding its Goldbelly business and developing a line of CPG products.
JEN KELLEY KILLIAN - Treasurer
Jennifer Killian is a passionate professional with over two decades of non-profit leadership, fundraising, and project management experience. She is responsible for identifying critical funding that supports Chef Aarón Sánchez's philanthropic initiatives, as well as managing his impact programs for Latino youth.
EMILY VANLANDINGHAM - Vice President, Communications
In September 2020, Emily was one of 21 students that graduated from the inaugural Master of Food Business program at the Culinary Institute of America. She holds a B.A. in Communications specializing in Film & Media from George Mason University and attended the CIA for their Culinary program. She previously spent 10 years running her own business called Locally Preserved which manufactured products using local produce. This created an additional revenue stream for otherwise under-utilized farmers across the south. She has also worked as a culinary producer on food TV programs, radio shows and events. Long-term, she is specifically interested in Food Economics and focusing her professional efforts on studying our global food system. She loves to create businesses that help innovate for a happy and healthy family life such as Farmstand Entertainment and The School Bakery.
DEE LAVIGNE- Vice President, Philanthropy
Chef Dwynesha "Dee" Lavigne was born and raised in New Orleans. She was professionally trained at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. Chef Lavigne is the owner of Deelightful Roux School of Cooking, the only African American-owned cooking school taught by a New Orleans native. Chef Dee is teaching hands-on classes, guiding students through a tour of Southern cuisine. Chef Dee is also a passionate advocate for special needs inclusion and a community volunteer.
social media tags
IG @Deelightfulroux
Facebook @ChefDeeLavigne
Website: https://www.chefdeelavigne.com
REBECCA SCHATTMAN - Vice President, Programming
Born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas – Rebecca truly grew up in New Orleans. While in college at Loyola New Orleans, she began building a foundation in guest-centric service as a host at Emeril’s Delmonico. After receiving a call from a friend needing help with a project for their internship, Rebecca fell into the world of cocktails when she volunteered at Tales of the Cocktail – being apart of the growth and rise of the festival from running seminar rooms and overseeing registration and media – being exposed to an international group of industry professionals was the ultimate calling. Rebecca joined the team at Dickie Brennan & Company later becoming the assistant general manager of Bourbon House. With a passion for history and a flair for a great narrative – Rebecca joined the team at Broussard’s as the general manager in 2017 and now serves as the Area Manager for Broussard’s and Bombay Club. Continuing to be play a part of the narrative of Broussard’s and showcasing rich history of the dining and drinking culture of New Orleans is truly an honor.