Eat Drink NOLA – New Orleans Restaurants – New Orleans Bars – New Orleans Food and Spirits

What began as a small, intimate, one-day gathering of wineries and chefs 20 years ago has grown into a grand celebration of wine and food attracting more than 10,000 people each year over a 5-day weekend, and giving back to the community through support of various organizations.

The 20th Anniversary of the New Orleans Food & Wine Experience, which takes place May 22 – 26, 2012, includes
-Wine Dinners hosted by more than 30 New Orleans area restaurants;
-Vinola, NOWFE’s premium tasting event;
-the Royal Street Stroll sponsored by Rouses, NOWFE’s signature event, a definitive evening event set in the heart of the French Quarter; and exciting Culinary Seminars which will fill the days and nights with all things wine and food. The weekend culminates with Grand Tastings on Friday and Saturday in true grand fashion with more than 175 wineries showcasing over 1000 wines and 75 chefs serving culinary delights from our region.

In addition, NOWFE will celebrate its 20th Anniversary with an international cake competition and tasting on Friday, May 25th from 8:30 – 11:00 pm. Invited pastry chefs Vanessa Fiorini of Toronto, Canada; Solandie Exantus of the Royal Sonesta Hotel New Orleans; Bronwen Weber of Frosted Art Bakery & Studio in Dallas; and Vinnie and Michelle Garcia of The Bleeding Heart Bakery in Chicago will join in the festivities and create their own signature version of an anniversary cake to be paired with Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte at the Big Gateaux Show. This ticketed event, hosted by Food Network’s Keegan Gerhard, Sucre’s Tariq Hanna, and the Royal Sonesta Hotel, will feature a burlesque-theme with Trixi Minx & the Beauties from Burlesque Ballroom. Each chef, assisted by a local culinary student, will create spectacularly designed cakes, to be displayed and tasted at a burlesque themed after-party following the Grand Tasting. Celebrity hosts and judges, including World Champion Pastry Chef and winner of Top Chef Desserts, Season 2, Chris Hanmer; native born Chef John Besh; Lee Schrager, founder of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival and New York City Wine & Food Festival; and a member of the editorial team from Fine Cooking Magazine, as well as attendees, will choose their favorite delight. The winning design and pastry chef will be awarded with a $5000 prize sponsored by Valrhona. All cake entries will be on display at the Saturday Grand Tasting in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. “We are so excited about this event; it will certainly highlight the glamour and excitement that New Orleans has to offer, while toasting our milestone,” states Mary Beth Romig, New Orleans Wine & Food Experience Board President. “Everyone should celebrate in such grand style on their anniversary.”

The event itself has evolved through the years and over its 20-year history NOWFE has contributed more than $1 million to local non-profit organizations. This year 100% of the proceeds will go towards two causes: fighting hunger in our community and supporting culinary education. The 2012 beneficiaries have been named—Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana will receive 40% of the proceeds. Second Harvest Food Bank is leading the fight against hunger in south Louisiana through food distribution, education, advocacy and disaster response. Annually, Second Harvest serves approximately 263,000 people through 240 nonprofit and faith-based agencies across 23 south Louisiana parishes. The following organizations will share the remaining 60% of the proceeds: the Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation’s ProStart Program, Delgado Culinary Arts School, New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA), the John Folse Culinary Institute and the Edible Schoolyard New Orleans. “The donations we make to our local non-profits not only benefit them, but it strengthens our community as a whole,” states Jamie Peckenpaugh, NOWFE Executive Director. “We are proud to have been a part of this community for 20 years and we look forward to the next twenty.”

This year NOWFE welcomes Fine Cooking magazine as its National Media Sponsor and the return of Audi of New Orleans as the Official Automobile Sponsor and Rouse’s Markets as the Presenting Sponsor of the Royal Street Stroll. “We are extremely proud that Fine Cooking is joining our returning sponsors in this year’s event,” states Romig. “Such well respected companies only enhances our reputation and opens the doors for more people to discover the allure of NOWFE.”

NOWFE 2012 will be held May 22 – 26, 2012. In an effort to fight hunger and support culinary education, the 2012 beneficiaries will share 100% of the proceeds. Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana will receive 40% and the following will share the remaining 60%: the Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation’s ProStart Program, Delgado Culinary Arts School, New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts’ Culinary Program, the John Folse Culinary Institute and the Edible Schoolyard New Orleans.

For additional information
visit the
The New Orleans Food & Wine Experience
website at www.nowfe.com.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2012
is scheduled for April 27 – 29 and May 3 – 6.

Started in 1970, the Jazz & Heritage Festival continues to showcase the most storied names in music history alongside many of Louisiana’s equally respected musical artists. A true heritage festival, Jazz Fest stands alone in presenting the highest caliber artists in such varied genres as gospel, blues, traditional and contemporary jazz, rock, pop, R&B, Cajun, zydeco and much more.

Over 400,000 fans attended last year’s Festival, which annually celebrates the unique culture and heritage of New Orleans and Louisiana.

Trombone Shorty, Eagles, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Foo Fighters, Zac Brown Band,  John Mayer, The Neville Brothers, Al Green, Herbie Hancock, Cee Lo Gree, Ne-Yo, My Morning Jacket, Bon Iver, Paulina Rubio, Jill Scott, Florence + the Machine, Allen Toussaint, Feist, Bunny Wailer, Bonnie Raitt, Irma Thomas, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Dr. John, Janelle Monae, Yolanda Adams, Iron & Wine, Pete Fountain, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Steel Pulse, Rebirth Brass Band, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Esperanza Spalding,  funky Meters, Levon Helm Band with special guest Mavis Staples, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Aaron Neville, Steve Earle, Galactic, Preservation Hall Jazz Band 50th Anniversary Jam, Little Anthony and The Imperials, Ani DiFranco, Givers, Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers, Dianne Reeves, Irvin Mayfield & the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Better Than Ezra, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, Bruce Hornsby, Dave Koz, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Gomez, Pedrito Martinez, The Bounce Shake Down feat. Big Freedia, Katey Red, Keedy Black, and DJ Poppa, Israel & New Breed, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Zebra, Amanda Shaw, James Cotton “Superharp” Band, Cowboy Mouth, Asleep at the Wheel, Papa Grows Funk, David Sanborn & Joey DeFrancesco, Bobby Rush, Chuck Leavell & Friends, Ellis Marsalis, Marcia Ball, Voice of the Wetlands All Stars, John Boutté, Gary Clark Jr., Texas Tornados, Poncho Sanchez Latin Band with Terence Blanchard, Cheikh Lô (Senegal), Tab Benoit, Regina Carter’s “Reverse Thread”, Bombino (Niger), Glen Hansard, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Jeremy Davenport, Sara Jarosz, Bonerama, Evelyn Turrentine-Agee, Terri Lyne Carrington’s Mosaic, Ruby Wilson’s Tribute to Bessie Smith & Ma Rainey, Wycliffe Gordon, Donald Harrison, Lindigo & Fixi (Reunion Island & France), Sonny Landreth, Buckwheat Zydeco, Soul Rebels, The Stars of Heaven, Jewel Brown with the Heritage Hall Band, Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr. & the Zydeco Twisters, Anders Osborne, Honey Island Swamp Band, Theresa Andersson, John Mooney & Bluesiana, Eric Lindell, Walter “Wolfman” Washington & the Roadmasters, BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, Pine Leaf Boys, James Andrews & the Crescent City Allstars, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Big Chief Bo Dollis & the Wild Magnolias, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & the Golden Eagles, Shamarr Allen & the Underdawgs, Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience, Dr. Michael White & the Original Liberty Jazz Band feat. Thais Clark, Banu Gibson, Hot 8 Brass Band, Creole Wild West, George French and more are all among the artists scheduled to appear at Jazz Fest.

Quint Davis, producer/director of the Festival, said, “Serving all communities, all ages, and families too, only at Jazz Fest 2012 will you find a roster like this! At its heart, the New Orleans Festival celebrates with our own, from our dynamic nationally emerging homegrown talent, Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, Givers, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, and Galactic; to our sacred icons, Allen Toussaint, The Neville Brothers, Irma Thomas, Dr. John, Pete Fountain, and Preservation Hall Jazz Band. In addition, this year may be the broadest and most powerful line up of “special guests”, including: Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Vedder, Eagles, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Herbie Hancock, Foo Fighters, The Zac Brown Band, John Mayer, Ne-Yo, Paulina Rubio, Al Green, My Morning Jacket, Jill Scott, Bon Iver, and on and on and on.

The Jazz Festival offers three distinct VIP opportunities to experience the event in style:
1) the Festival’s popular Big Chief VIP Experience ticket package provides special viewing access at most of the Festival’s stages
2) the Grand Marshal VIP Pass allows for up-close access at the three major stages
3) and the Krewe of Jazz Fest VIP Pass which entitles patrons to special covered seating at the Acura Stage audience area.

Jazz Fest also offers full-service travel packages for fans wishing to take the guesswork out of attending the event. Visit www.nojazzfest.com to learn more about the official travel packages that include hotel accommodations, travel to and from the Festival grounds and Festival tickets, including the option for Festival VIP packages.

Tickets for the Festival, which takes place at the Fair Grounds Race Course, went on sale today at 10am. A very limited number of discount ticket packages including tickets to each day of a particular weekend of the Festival will be offered. Ticket packages purchased for all three days of the first weekend (April 27, 28 & 29) will be $120 ($40 per day), while second weekend packages purchased for all four festival days (May 3, 4, 5 & 6) will be $160 ($40 per day). (Tickets included in each package are day-specific.) Advance single-day Jazz Fest tickets are only $45 through February 29. Starting March 1, advance single-day tickets will be $50, while the gate price ticket is $65. Children’s tickets (ages 2 – 10) are still only $5 and are available at the gate only. Single day tickets to Jazz Fest are on sale by specific weekend, with each ticket valid for a single day’s attendance.

Tickets are available at www.nojazzfest.com and www.ticketmaster.com, at all Ticketmaster outlets or by calling (800) 745-3000. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Jazz Fest ticket office located at the New Orleans Arena Box Office. All general admission Jazz Fest tickets are subject to additional service fees and handling charges.

A listing of hotels offering special Jazz Fest rates is posted at www.nojazzfest.com, where patrons can effortlessly reserve their hotel rooms for the event. Festival-goers can peruse room availability and book their accommodations early taking advantage of some of the best prices offered at participating hotels.

Shell is the Presenting Sponsor of the Festival.  Major Jazz Fest Sponsors are Acura, Peoples Health, Miller Lite, and the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots (A Churchill Downs Company).  Coca-Cola, Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, WWOZ, Zatarain’s, and St. Charles Vision are all also Official Jazz Fest Sponsors.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, Inc. is the nonprofit organization that owns the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell. The Foundation uses the proceeds from Jazz Fest, and other revenues, for year-round activities in the areas of education, economic development and cultural events. Education programs include the Don “Moose” Jamison Heritage School of Music and the Tom Dent Congo Square Lecture Series. Economic Development initiatives include the Community Partnership Grants, the Sync Up entertainment industry conference and the Jazz & Heritage Talent Exchange web site. Cultural events include the Jazz Journey concert series and free community festivals: the Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival, the Congo Square New World Rhythms Festival, the Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival and the Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival. The Foundation also owns radio station WWOZ 90.7-FM, the Jazz & Heritage Archive, the Jazz & Heritage Gallery and the Jazz & Heritage Center.

The 14th Annual Jazz & Heritage Foundation Gala will be held April 26 at the New Orleans Hilton Riverside Hotel. The Gala is an evening of music, food and fun that directly supports the Don Jamison Heritage School of Music, a free music instruction program that reaches more than 85 students each week. This year’s Gala will feature two of the Heritage School’s most outstanding alumni: Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and his exciting group, Orleans Avenue; and Sam Williams with his Big Sam’s Funky Nation; plus very special guests James Andrews and Glen David Andrews. Tickets are $500.00 and include access passes to all seven days of Jazz Fest. The Gala always sells out, so please visit www.jazzandheritage.org or call 504-558-6100 to get tickets or inquire about sponsorship opportunities.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell is a co-production of Festival Productions Louisiana, LLC. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Festival Productions, Inc.-New Orleans) and AEG Louisiana Production, LLC. (a subsidiary of AEG Live).

On February 14, the New Orleans Steamboat Company is kicking off its “Tie the Knot” on the Steamboat NATCHEZ Wedding Giveaway Sweepstakes on its Facebook page for the second year. Valued at more than $5,000, the prize package for one lucky engaged couple includes a wedding and a reception on the Steamboat NATCHEZ.

To enter the giveaway, couples have to become a fan on the Steamboat NATCHEZ Facebook page starting Tuesday, Feb. 14 and post the following on the Sweepstakes tab: the date they got engaged and why they want to get married on the last authentic steamboat on the Mississippi River. Couples can only enter the sweepstakes once and Louisiana licenses are the responsibility of the couple. This sweepstakes is for a wedding and reception only.

On Wednesday, March 14 at 12:00pm (CT), the NATCHEZ will randomly select 10 finalists and will contact the couples directly for a photograph to post on its Facebook page. It will then be up to Facebook fans to vote for their favorite couple by clicking the “Like” button under their picture. The Steamboat NATCHEZ will post the picture and names of the winning couple on Friday, March 30 at 12:00pm (CT).

The complete wedding package includes a ceremony on the boat’s stern underneath the stern canopy; one musician to play a jazz entrance for the bride; an ordained Steamboat NATCHEZ Captain to officiate the ceremony; flowers for four people in the wedding party; a reception in the Magnolia Suite for 40 guests (during the 11:30am cruise or 7:00pm cruise); the Oak Alley Buffet; beer, wine, Bloody Marys and mimosas; a champagne toast for everyone and NATCHEZ champagne toasting glasses for the bride and groom; a $250 wedding cake; a personalized calliope concert of “Here Comes the Bride” and a one-night stay at the Maison Dupuy, located in the French Quarter. (based on availability).*

The couple can choose their wedding date based on availability and must book it at least 30 days in advance. The prize package expires at midnight on February 13, 2013. The sweepstakes does not include transportation to and from New Orleans. The couple must agree to share photos with the Steamboat NATCHEZ after the event for use on post-contest promotion if needed.

“A person’s wedding is one of the most important days of their life,” says Adrienne Thomas, director of marketing and public relations for the New Orleans Steamboat Company. “We are proud that the NATCHEZ has been a part of this special day for so many couples and we can’t wait to show our appreciation by making one lucky couple’s dream come true with our wedding giveaway.”

For the complete list of sweepstakes guidelines and to enter the sweepstakes, visit www.facebook.com/steamboatnatchez . For more information about the Steamboat NATCHEZ and to make reservations, call (504) 586-8777 or visit http://www.steamboatnatchez.com/reservations. Follow the Steamboat NATCHEZ on Twitter @steamernatchez.

*Additional guests or upgrades can be added at the expense of the winning couple.

 
Arnaud’s Executive Chef Tommy DiGiovanni teaches us how to make the perfect summer dish, Crabmeat Ravigote.

Welcome to EatDrinkNola.com. Site Launch is in 3 days!

 
The New Orleans Po-Boy Preservation Festival returns to Oak Street this for its 4th annual gathering. 

New Orleans Po-boy Festival features two stages with live music, arts and crafts, a children’s section with games and prizes, panel discussions covering the history of the po-boy  and, of course, the best tasting po-boys in New Orleans!

Come celebrate New Orleans’ most famous sandwich on November 21, 2010.

How To Get to the Festival: 

By Street Car: Take the St. Charles Street Car to the Po-Boy Fest. Get off on Carrollton & Oak, Stop #46.

Driving: Click here to get driving directions to the festival

More details coming soon!

Club 17K will be the ultimate VIP experience for festival goers at Voodoo Fest 2010, providing both comfort and service to showcase the rock star treatment you get everyday from State Farm’s more than 17,000 Agents. 

See our winners list for our,  3 Day pass Giveaway here on EatDrinkNOLA.com!  All are going to get the rockstar treatment!  

Amenities at Club 17K at Voodoo Fest include a red carpet photo op, chair massages, custom printed t-shirts and more.  Club 17K will also feature a multi-media center, where festival goers can sing the State Farm jingle for the opportunity to win various prizing like private meet and greets, massages and food vouchers.  And Club 17K is Free to all attendees of Voodoo Fest!

 The fastest way to get VIP Access at Voodoo Fest this year is to download the “Like a Good Neighbor State Farm is There” ringtone via the State Farm Facebook page (www.facebook.com/StateFarmNation) and then play it for the representatives at the Club 17K tent for instant VIP access and special perks!

…..Club 17K is FREE to all that attend Voodoo Fest 2010, and if you want to get to the front of the lines at Club 17K, all you have to do is RSVP in advance and you can do it at www.facebook.com/StateFarmNation ( look at the events tab)

Club 17K and Voodoo Fest 2010 New Orleans! The only way to spend your Hallloween weekend!

Natchitoches Pecans, Inc., one of Louisiana’s premier gourmet pecan orchards, is announcing the arrival of their new product: Coconut Praline Pecans. These fresh, delicious pecan candies are the perfect mix of sweet and salty glazed crunch. The bite-sized pieces make them great snacks for guests or just everyday treats that can be so addictive! The Coconut Praline Pecans are made with care from only the freshest ingredients and make an excellent gift idea for any occasion, especially during the holidays. Natchitoches Pecans creates custom corporate gourmet pecan gift orders all year around.

Natchitoches Pecans has both the online store for easy purchases from the comfort of your home or office, and the retail store. The retail store is located on their Little Eva Plantation orchard where visitors can browse all the amazing gifts and fresh, delicious gourmet pecan treats in person when visiting Natchitoches, Louisiana. Their featured products are the gourmet fancy pecan halves, the in-shell pecans, and the cracked pecans packaged in novelty burlap bags. The gourmet pecans, pecan candies, and a variety of pecan gifts are available online. Also available in their retail store are gifts including candles, Fleur De Lis themed items, an LSU corner, a New Orleans Saints corner, award winning cookbooks, and unique one-of-a-kind hand-made ornaments (some made from okra pods, some from cypress knees, some from pine cones, and even some from Louisiana oyster shells). Visitors will also find homemade jellies, honey, ribbon cane syrup, roasted pecan syrup, and even gourmet Cajun pickles. Special blends of gourmet coffee include Little Eva Blend and Southern Pecan.

Some of the gourmet pecan flavors Natchitoches Pecans offers are Grand Marnier chocolate pecans, milk chocolate pecans, rum pecans, cinnamon spice pecans, dark chocolate pecans, old fashion cane pecans, honey pecans (made with real honey), chocolate praline pecans, roasted salted pecans, yogurt pecans. Oh and let’s not forget creamy pralines, chewy pralines, divinity, pecan logs, and pecan pies. Sugar free pecans available in chocolate and cinnamon glazed. Sugar free roasted pecan flavored syrup is available also.

Join their Facebook page or visit their pecan blog for up-to-date photos and information on what is happening at Natchitoches Pecans.

The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) Greater New Orleans Chapter, through its We Live to Eat (WLTE) campaign, has coordinated member restaurants throughout the metro area to offer special prix fixe menus each Thursday evening in August.

The We Live to Eat campaign was designed to raise awareness of New Orleans’ unique culinary industry, which is at the heart of the city’s identity. The restaurants participating range from fine dining establishments to neighborhood favorites. Each restaurant has planned a special menu for the occasion, some paired with spirits.

“We have a lot to celebrate in New Orleans and our culinary culture is at the top of the list,” said Steve Woodruff, operations manager at Commander’s Palace and LRA GNO Chapter President. “People travel from across the globe to experience what locals sometimes take for granted. This is a perfect opportunity to support local restaurants and have a fantastic meal at the same time.”

The WLTE dinners will take place August 5, 12, 19 and 26 at these participating restaurants:

August 5

• Besh Steak, Broussard’s, and Pier 424

August 12

• 5Fifty5, Domenica, Phil’s Grill, Royal House Restaurant and Serranos Salsa Company

August 19

• 7 on Fulton, American Sector, Café Adelaide, Galatoire’s, N’Tini’s, O’Henry’s, The Original Pierre Masperos and Ruth’s Chris Steak House

August 26

• Café Giovanni, Commander’s Palace, Mr. B’s Bistro, Phil’s Grill, Primo’s Restaurant and Restaurant August

We Live to Eat!

The New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB)  has announced the line up of world-class restaurants for the sixth annual restaurant promotion, “COOLinary New Orleans — Celebrating Dining in America’s Most Delicious City,” offering special three-course lunch menus for $20 or less and three-course dinner menus for $34 or less, throughout August and September.

The culinary event commemorates the renowned and authentic cuisine of New Orleans and its restaurant community. COOLinary also recognizes that millions of visitors flock to New Orleans each year to experience the unique culinary treasures of the city, and offers locals and visitors alike another reason to enjoy this important aspect of the city’s culture.

“COOLinary has become a staple event in our annual line-up of cultural celebrations and events, offering locals and visitors the chance to sample world-renowned cuisine that can only be found in New Orleans,” said Kim Priez, vice president of tourism sales for the New Orleans CVB. “As New Orleanians, we are incredibly fortunate to live in a city that constantly celebrates food, which is an essential part of our culture. COOLinary New Orleans is a special commemoration, honoring our unique cuisine while celebrating the unbelievable work of our local chefs and all of their staff.”

This year’s participating COOLinary restaurants include: Antoine’s Restaurant, Bayona, Bombay Club, Bourbon House Seafood, Brigtsen’s Restaurant, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, Cafe Amelie, Cafe Degas, Chef Duke’s Cafe Giovanni, Crepes A La Carte, Desire Restaurant, Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse, House of Blues, Martinique Bistro, Mike’s on the Avenue, Mr. B’s Bistro, Mulate’s Cajun Restaurant, Muriel’s Jackson Square, Palace Cafe, Pascal’s Manale, Rib Room, Royal Palm Restaurant, The Pelican Club and Tujague’s Restaurant.

And as a little lagniappe (a little something extra) this summer, restaurants around the greater New Orleans area have joined together to present We Live to Eat Dinners. Taking place every Thursday in August, participating restaurants will prepare a priced-fix menu celebrating that in New Orleans, We Live to Eat. For more information on participating restaurants and pricing, please visit www.welivetoeatnola.com.

Please visit www.coolinaryneworleans.com to see the growing list of restaurants and to learn more about COOLinary New Orleans. Also available are unique specials as well as the latest information and menus from participating restaurants.

The New Orleans CVB is the driving catalyst for New Orleans’ largest industry – tourism – strategically leading national and international marketing, public relations and visitor services efforts that attract millions of visitors, events, conventions and festivals. Consistently recognized as one of the top five CVBs in the country, the New Orleans CVB is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2010. For more information, please visit www.neworleanscvb.com.