Eat for Katrina Relief

Although District residents may be seguing into fall's business-as-usual pace, we're reminded today that, one year after Hurricane Katrina, those who call New Orleans home are still caught up in loose ends and mired in disarray caused by Katrina's aftermath.

Area food folks remind us that people still need our help. As Metrocurean reported last week, local restaurants participating in Share our Strength's Restaurants for Relief today, which include Evening Star, Tallula and Capitol Grille, will donate 100% of profits to rebuilding efforts. Even though it's a Tuesday, tonight's the night to eat out for a good cause.

And on the 6th, John Fulchino and Ann Cashion of Cashion's Eat Place will host Johnny's Half Shell reopening as a charity event to benefit Willie Mae's Scotch House in New Orleans. Who is Willie Mae? As creator of what's been touted as the "best fried chicken in the country," Willie Mae Seaton, 89, is one of Southern cooking's master craftswomen. Her restaurant, the 50-plus year old Scotch House, is in the process of a resurrection and rebirth, courtesy of volunteers and donations. John Currence, chef at The City Grocery in Oxford, Mississippi, and member of the Southern Foodways' Alliance has spearheaded the effort, and is passionate about doing more than writing checks to help chefs and restaurant owners devastated by the flood. His enthusiasm to help has been so infectious that Cashion and Fulchino have joined the organization's efforts to rebuild the New Orleans institution.