From Food to Photo Ops, Zapp’s Brought the Flavor to Gallery Club House

“For the W” was all about the women. Chanen Johnson—wife of New Orleans Saints Tight End Juwan Johnson, former elite gymnast and mom of two—was the gracious hostess of the Friday evening event, which took place at Merchant Hall, ideally situated between Caesars Superdome and the French Quarter. The space welcomed tons of VIPs, including the game-changing wives and girlfriends behind some of your favorite athletes (aka WAGs), the players themselves, and other industry pros, celebs and content creators we love. The powerhouse NOLA-based Young Pinstripe Brass Band dazzled with their traditional brass meets jazz tunes, while attendees mixed and mingled with cocktails in hand after walking down the pink red carpet. But it was the food and photo ops provided by Zapp’s that proved to be the life of the party.    

Known for their bold kettle-cooked chips (including the cult-favorite Voodoo​ Kettle Cooked Potato Chips) and sinfully seasoned pretzels, Zapp’s is daringly different—and the ideal partner to help showcase New Orleans’ rich food culture. Each innovative dish celebrated local and seasonal ingredients, while also creatively incorporating the unique flavors of Zapp’s. The results? Cajun Boudin Balls rolled in Zapp’s Voodoo Heat chips and blueberry bread pudding with white chocolate sauce and Zapp’s Cinnamon & Sugar Pretzel Stick Crunch, to name a few. (Insert drooling emoji here.)

In addition to delicious bites, the Zapp’s snack station invited guests to taste and discover their favorite chip and pretzel flavors. Alongside vibrant, festive décor featuring on-theme beads and colorful feathers, attendees could take home bags of Zapp’s, plus branded totes and fun Mardi Gras masks. Talk about Southern hospitality.

Those masks and beads came in handy for all the cool photo ops, including Zapp’s epic “NOLA Tastemakers” throne and the live illustrator station, where guests picked their favorite Zapp’s background and flavor personality (think: “tangy and sweet” or “bold and lively”) before getting a totally custom, personalized illustration right before their eyes.

Below, some of our favorite snaps from the unforgettable night.

Benji Gebauer, New Orleans Saints Tight End Juwan Johnson and former Bachelorette star and athlete Dale Moss kick it at the Zapp’s snack station and throne.

Hostess Chanen Johnson and her husband Juwan Johnson pose at the entrance to Gallery Club House.

Zapp’s snacks and Mardi Gras flair were on display.

Sports Illustrated model Katie Austin and Bachelor star Kelsey Anderson cheer on the WAGs.

The Zapp’s live illustrator station gave guests a personalized drawing to take home.

The NOLA-based Young Pinstripe Brass Band entertained the crowd.

The Zapp’s flavor roster.

New Orleans Saints defensive end Isaiah Foskey and his fiancée Hannah Silverman took home their favorite Zapp’s chips and pretzels and got in the spirit with themed Mardi Gras beads.

Gary Vaynerchuk and Kelly Mahoney and Janelle Wichmann from Ulta Beauty catch up at “For the W,” a party celebrating WAGs at Gallery Club House.