2026 NOCCA King Cake Program
The New Orleans Center for Creative Arts announced that its 2026 NOCCA King Cake Program will feature new king cake collaborations including one by celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse.
What is the Program?
The program, combining food, art, and Mardi Gras, sees king cakes made by NOCCA Culinary Art students and faculty in honor of the Carnival season. This year's program is set to feature special treats from two chefs that will be available throughout the tasty treat's season, including Chef Frank Brigsten's Strawberry Tres Leches King Cake.
Chef Lagasse's Banana Cream Pie King Cake
Chef Emeril Lagasse, the celebrity chef who owns four restaurants in New Orleans and 20 across the US, looks to add his unique flair to the program. The master chef has his fair share of award-winning restaurants and seeks to wow taste buds with his special treat.
Beloved by many for the tasty food at Emeril's Restaurant, the notable chef will be adding his Banana Cream Pie King Cake to the program's menu. Transforming his Banana Cream Pie into a king cake, with bananas wrapped in vanilla cream and baked with NOCCA's sweet brioche-style dough, is sure not to disappoint.
NOCCA's 2026 King Cake Menu
- Chef Emeril Lagasse's Banana Cream Pie King Cake (Available all season)
- Chef Frank Brigtsen's Strawberry Tres Leches King Cake (Available Jan. 19-29)
- The Goddess (Available Jan. 30 to Feb 12)
- Satsuma Almond King Cake (Available all season)
- Gluten-Free Cinnamon King Cake (Available all season)
NOCCA's king cakes run for $27 and are available for pre-order. Click here for information on shipping, dates, times, and pickup locations.
King Cake Tasting
NOCCA looks to celebrate the king cake season right with a private tasting of all the delicious king cakes on the menu. The event will be held at the 5 Press Gallery on January 6 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Only 30-minute time slots are available, so guests must RSVP. NOCCA Chef Dana D'Anzi Tuohy and Chef Frank will be in attendance.
