Marc Bankston is an accomplished culinary professional with extensive experience in the hospitality industry. Currently serving as Executive Chef at Hilton Garden Inn since August 2023, Marc also operates Brynnmarie Catering as Owner Executive Chef. Previously, Marc held notable positions such as Executive Chef at Annadele's Plantation and Firehouse Bistro. Involvement with organizations includes membership in the American Culinary Federation and DAV, as well as providing artist hospitality for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Marc's education includes an Associate in Culinary Arts from Louisiana Culinary Institute, with additional technical training in electrical and electronics maintenance from Navy institutions.
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, Inc.
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, Inc. was established in 1970 with a mission to sow the seeds of our unique culture for generations to come. In the five decades that followed, the Foundation has become a lighthouse of education, community support, and cultural preservation. Supported by grants, donations , and our events, we continue to teach, build, and celebrate Louisiana's rich culture and community. As the nonprofit owner of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival -- Jazz Fest -- the foundation works all year long to promote and develop the culture of New Orleans and the surrounding region. Our areas of focus are education, economic development and culture. We have a dedicated, full-time staff that manages a diverse portfolio of important programs in each of these areas. We also maintain a number of major assets. The Foundation's beacon to the world is our Jazz & Heritage radio station: WWOZ 90.7 FM (visit www.wwoz.org), hailed by Rolling Stone, Esquire and others as one of the nation's premier broadcast outlets. We also operate the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation Archive as a resource for scholars and researchers. The Archive identifies, collects, preserves, and protects the records of the Foundation including its assets and programs (visit www.jazzandheritagearchive.org). The Jazz & Heritage Center is our education and performance facility and the home of our signature music education program, the Don "Moose" Heritage School of Music. Our annual Jazz & Heritage Gala brings together folks from our community and around the world who are dedicated to supporting the culture of New Orleans.