September Food News
By Su-Jit LinJust because summer is at a close doesn't mean great eating at a better value is, too. K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen has extended their 3-course set-price dinners into this month, with daily alternating specials to keep the chefs on their toes and the freshest ingredients in your mouth. Gumbo, Creole Onion Soup, Fried Rabbit Tenderloin, and House Salad are first course options to whet your appetite, and the best bread pudding in the city is the dessert choice, alongside the Sticky Pecan Fig Cupcake. That all-important dish in between those courses can range in flavor from savory Cajun to Eastern curries to classic favorites. Depending on the day, prices can range from the mid-twenties to the low thirties – simply unbeatable at even less than the cost of a COOLinary dinner, whose offers end in August anyway.
Speaking of August, you all may have heard of a little place called Restaurant August, one of the signature restaurants of a chef named John Besh, whose name people nationwide may find familiar due to a stint on a little cable program called, I don’t know… Iron Chef!? Well, Chef Besh really put our state on the map, making it all the way to the final round, and now his home is giving him a big old pat on the back as the Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) named him Restaurateur of the Year. This award is the highest honor the LRA can bestow on an individual, and given only to those who have “contributed unselfishly to the advancement of Louisiana’s restaurant industry and has continually dedicated his services at both the local chapter and state levels,” according to the organization’s official statement. It’s a triumph among many for this accomplished chef, and just the tip of the iceberg of his astonishing career as he continues to make New Orleans proud every year.
Women in the food service industry are itching for their due now, too. Players in this field are broken up pretty fairly percentage-wise in terms of gender, with a close to 50/50 split between male and female workers. But the Women Chefs & Restaurateurs organization questions why so few reach the upper echelons. This year, they take their national conference to the Big Easy’s convention center from September 20–22. Keynote speakers include Leah Chase and Ti Adelaide Martin as they discuss their experiences. Master classes and seminars are also planned, and other entertaining events include culinary tours, cookbook signings, and of course, fantastic eats. www.womenchefs.org can provide you with more details on exactly how much you’ll be able to learn during this fun-filled weekend.
For further personal enrichment, SoFAB's got some super programs lined up for this month. All classes are free with the purchase of a museum ticket, so really get your money’s worth by attending their special feature events. Every Tuesday this month, starting on the 9th, Cinq a Sept is taking place from 5-7 PM, meaning free food and music will be present. The cash bar is just an added bonus.
If that’s more your hat, one of the co-founders of W.I.N.O. is leading a wine seminar on the 13th at SoFAB and (I cannot emphasize this further) a free tasting is provided. Really, it doesn’t get much better than a tasting hosted by one of the most knowledgeable brains in vino in NOLA. Be aware that RSVPs are necessary, since this one’s a hot ticket. Several authors are also conducting readings and/or book signings throughout the month, with Dale Curry starting us off right on September 6, followed by Sara Roahen on the 24th, and Virginia Willis on the 20th, who will be sharing wine and hors d’oeuvres.
The above features at the SoFAB are baby-sitter nights, but Saturday mornings are always highlights for the kids. Rather than getting them hyped up about AM cartoons, why not take them to the Kids’ Culinary Class from 9 AM-noon? Second, third, and fourth graders are welcome to participate in this experience on September 6th and 20th. Best of all, this wholesome family activity is absolutely gratis; no museum ticket necessary.