Beignet Fest raises nearly $500,000 to support autism awareness and programming in New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS (Nov. 9, 2026) – Beignet Fest welcomed more than 10,000 attendees this past Saturday to its one-day festival in New Orleans City Park, marking the largest crowds since COVID-19. The annual celebration of one of New Orleans’ most iconic dishes in an array of forms also raised nearly $500,000 to support autism awareness and local programs serving children with autism and related developmental differences.The festival celebrated the creativity and culinary talent of participating restaurants and
Cleaved Diagnostics wins 2026 BioChallenge, New Orleans BioInnovation Center’s international brain health pitch competition
The New Orleans BioInnovation Center (NOBIC) announced that Cleaved Diagnostics won first place and the crowd favorite award at the 2026 BioChallenge pitch competition, held Thursday, Oct. 29. The annual competition attracted 240 applicants from 35 countries and 31 U.S. states, bringing emerging biotechnology and neurotechnology companies to New Orleans to showcase innovations aimed at improving brain health.The competition capped a two-day program that opened Wednesday, Oct. 28, with the Brain Health
Beignet sandwiches and the sweet potato flavor profile take center stage on the 2026 Beignet Fest menu
NEW ORLEANS (Oct. 13, 2026) – Beignet sandwiches are emerging as a defining theme of the 2026 Beignet Fest menu, alongside several variations featuring sweet potatoes, a familiar ingredient in Southern fall cooking. In all, Beignet Fest brings together 25 local food vendors serving nearly 50 different beignet dishes Saturday, Nov. 7, at New Orleans City Park’s Festival Grounds from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fried chicken is another natural fit for the sandwich format. Ruby Slipper Cafe will serve a Nashville hot