Bon Appétit
Bon Appétit is a multi-night, citywide dining fundraiser hosted in private homes and venues across Greater New Orleans and beyond. Each gathering — ranging from intimate dinners to large-scale culinary events — supports Project Lazarus’ mission through shared meals and meaningful connection.
The experience concludes with the Bon Appétit Afterparty, a themed celebration in New Orleans featuring desserts from local restaurants, champagne, and full bar service, bringing hundreds of supporters together in one space.
Bon Appétit FAQs
What is Bon Appétit?
Bon Appétit is a progressive dinner fundraiser held throughout the Greater New Orleans area and beyond. These privately hosted dinners have ranged from pizza parties to home-cooked Southern spreads to elaborately catered events with accompanying entertainment, enjoyed by two guests or even up to 150 attendees. Historically, Project Lazarus has experienced an average of 12 party hosts a year, with an average of 20 attendees at each event.
How Do Funds Raised by Bon Appétit Help Project Lazarus Programming?
Bon Appétit provides critical general operating support annually, ensuring the continuation of our services. This includes transitional housing, nutritional and wellness programs, life-skills training for residents, and vital staff support — to name a few of the services that enhance the quality of life for marginalized individuals living with HIV.
Fundraising events account for 37% of the Project Lazarus annual budget, while foundational/federal grants represent 48% of our total revenue. Without the generosity of dedicated community supporters, we would not be able to offer the level of care and compassion that defines our legacy.
How Can I Get Involved?
- Recruit dinner hosts: get your family/friends/coworkers to host their own parties.
- Become a dinner party host: throw your own party and invite your favorite people.
- Mentor a dinner party host: If you’re a BA veteran, join our service as a volunteer mentor.
- Attend the dessert and champagne afterparty: Get your tickets and party until dawn.
- Share all social media updates and events: Our goal is to have 300 event attendees.
What Are Dinner Host Responsibilities?
Being a dinner host is as easy as hosting a regular evening with your friends, or as elaborate as you’d like. Parties can start from mid-August to September 12. All you need is a good guest list, a party spirit, and to usher your guests to the afterparty. We’ll do the rest.
What Supplies Do I Need As a Dinner Host?
Project Lazarus provides our dinner host volunteers with the following materials:
- Event wristbands
- Credit card processing options
- Donation envelope
- Guest information sheet
How Do the Wristbands Work?
All dinner guests and hosts are provided with wristbands during the host dinner, which they need to wear to attend the afterparty. Wearing a wristband will help afterparty check-in volunteers identify who has already donated and help with faster event entry.
Does Project Lazarus Prep Dinner Hosts for Their Events?
Our team will provide experienced Bon Appétit volunteers to help dinner hosts manage a smooth event. Event mentors will be assigned a month before the afterparty and will help plan and execute any event needs alongside the dinner host.
Volunteers will also manage donations and will turn them in to the Development Manager at the afterparty.
For more information, please email Lluvia Peveto at lpeveto@projectlazarus.net.
What is the Donation Process for Dinner Parties?
- There is no fundraising minimum for dinner parties or a minimum for dinner attendees.
- The suggested donation for each guest is $50.
- Hosts and guests attend the afterparty for free.
- Guests can pay each dinner host directly via their OneCause landing page.
- Other accepted payments include: cash, check, and credit card. Donations can be made the day of the dinner party.
What is the Dress Code?
There is no dress code for the dinner parties or the Bon Appétit Afterparty. However, the 2026 afterparty theme is “Miami Nights”, so guests are welcome to come dressed as Miami nightclub attendees.