Recently in Events Category

Recently I received word of a couple of upcoming events that may interest you. First up, an email from Matt Timms, of The Chilli Takedown, announcing a competition on September 19 open to anyone who wants to turn 15 lbs. of free bacon into a culinary delight. Following is the (slightly edited) press release:

CALL FOR COMPETITORS! The New Orleans Bacon Takedown is coming to Howlin’ Wolf, September 19th at 3PM! We’re looking for 20 cooks to step forward and accept 15lbs of FREE Black Label Bacon each- to create whatever bacon masterpiece they can food up! Email mtimms7@hotmail.com for a spot. Enter to compete for super sweet culinary gear such as Anolon Pots, Wusthof Knives, and Microplane Graters.

Attendees can come on down and STUFF themselves for $15, and vote on their favorite bacon creation. Tickets available soon. Bacon cupcakes, bacon ice cream, bacon tacos, bacon candy bars… expect the unexpectedly amazing…!

The Bacon Takedown is sponsored by Hormel (makers of Black Label Bacon) and a portion of the ticket sales will go to Feeding America. I like bacon as much as the next red-blooded American mannish boy, so this looks interesting.

Next up, my pal Jyl Benson sends along word of the New Orleans Home + Interior Design Show, taking place the weekend of September 17-19. Why am I writing about a home and interior design show on Appetites? BECAUSE I CAN GOD DAMNIT. Also:

A number of chefs will be doing holiday entertaining demonstrations at the New Orleans Interior Design show, a new locally-based show will be held in the Convention Center, September 17-19. The show is produced by Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans, who also produces the annual New Orleans Home & Garden Show in the Louisiana Superdome each spring. Participating chefs include Brian Landry (Galatoire’s), Chef Tory McPhail (Commander’s Palace), Anthony Spizale (The Rib Room), Justin Ferguson (Stroubes Chop House, BR), Alon Shayla (Domnenica -The Besh Group) and more.

The chefs' presence at the show is to bring awareness for the Gulf Coast Celebrity Shrimp Boot Raffle: Benefiting Catholic Charities Oil Spill Relief Fund, all money raised in this raffle supports the fishers and their families hurting from the Gulf disaster. Iconic white shrimp boots are being transformed through design and decoration - and then autographed by local and national celebrities. Among the celebrity artist participating: Sean Payton; Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning; Hoda Kotb; Chefs Emeril Lagasse, John Besh, Dook Chase, IV; the chefs and Brennan family members of Commander’s and Café Adelaide; the Broadway casts of Phantom of the Opera, Wicked and South Pacific; Irma Thomas; Irvin Mayfield; Jeremy Davenport; the Zac Brown Band; Sen. Mary Landrieu and Mayor Mitch Landrieu.

Raffle tickets are $5 each, and will be available ahead of the show via a link on the website. During the show, they will be sold at a special booth.

The show runs from noon to 9 p.m. on Friday, September 17; from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, September 18, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, September 18. Tickets are $9 for adults, and members of the military get in for $4.5 with an ID. Obviously the show is geared more towards home building/renovation and interior design, but the culinary aspects are not an oversight, and the shrimp boot raffle looks like a great way to help local fishermen. Who knows, you might come away with a pair of shrimp boots decorated by Hoda Kotb. Hoda Kotb. Hoda Kotb. God I love saying that name.

I hope that one or the other of these events piques your interest. Personally, they had me at Hoda Kotb.






Hoda Kotb.

Bombay Sapphire Gin and GQ magazine are holding a competition to find the nation's most inspired bartender, and this weekend the competition will be held in New Orleans.

Sunday, August 8, from 7 to midnight local bartenders will serve drinks featuring Bombay Sapphire gin at Republic New Orleans. The event is open to the public, and it should be a lot of fun. There are some very talented folks making cocktails in New Orleans these days, and while I don't have a list of the participants, I am confident that the drinks will be excellent. Also: free, which is a pretty sweet price-point.

I'm hoping to attend for at least the start of the event; if you're going, let me know. As is the custom around these parts, here is a picture of a cocktail I had at Cure some time ago:

Tales of the Cocktail, the international cocktail festival held in New Orleans each year, is upon us again. The event has grown larger and more impressive each year, and I'm looking forward to participating as much as my schedule will allow.

There have already been cocktail-related events around town this week, but things really kick off tonight and tomorrow, and the event runs through the weekend.

I went through a... phase where I frequently posted pictures of cocktails on this site. I've gotten away from the habit, but in honor of Tales of the Cocktail, one of my favorite cocktails of recent memory:

The Aztec Cocktail, at Clever

A Press release you should read:

New Orleans - Dr. Gary Nabhan of Renewing America’s Food Traditions releases the publication of “Endangered Foods of the Gulf South.”

For the past five years, Dr. Nabhan has documented endangered foods of the U.S. in collaboration with Slow Food USA, Chef’s Collaborative, American Livestock Breeds Conservancy and other like-minded nonprofits.

As a result of the Gulf oil disaster, “Endangered Foods of the Gulf South” containing essays by Richard McCarthy, Sara Roahen, Dr. Lance Hill,
Louis Michot, Poppy Tooker and others along with scientific documentation regarding Louisiana’s imperiled food culture was rushed to publication.

What: A Louisiana Eat In to demonstrate to the nation that Louisiana seafood is still available, safe and delicious in conjunction with the publication of Endangered Foods of the Gulf South. Many of the authors will be on hand to sign copies of the publication.

Chef Chris Lusk of Café Adelaide, Louisiana’s 2010 Seafood King;
Chef Stephen Stryjewski of Cochon, Chef’s Collaborative board member;
Jay Nix of Parkway Bakery will serve free of charge, delicious dishes made with Louisiana Seafood.

Thomas Mann will debut his new line of seafood jewelry, designed to both bring attention to the oil spill situation and to benefit local nonprofits who are working to help the ongoing situation.

Louisiana Cookin’ Magazine will distribute copies of seafood centric issues.

Ewell Smith of Louisiana Seafood & Promotion Board will be available to discuss the current state of Louisiana Seafood

When: Thursday, July 15th, 2010 from 4 - 6 PM

Where: Crescent City Farmers Mid City Market at the American Can Co.
3700 Orleans Avenue, New Orleans, LA

For more information contact:
Poppy Tooker - 504-899-7374
poppy@poppytooker.com
Poppy Tooker
poppy@poppytooker.com
2210 Jefferson Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70115
504-899-7374

Looks to be a good event, for a good cause. Hope to see some of you there.

From my pal Mark "Il Duce" Wilson, I received word recently of an upcoming Abita Beer Dinner at the Riverbend restaurant Jacques-Imo's. I wasn't a huge fan of that restaurant, but the last two meals I've had there were very good, and it certainly serves the kind of food that pairs well with beer. Here's the release, which includes the menu and all of the details you'd need to sign up:

May 20, 2010 6:30PM

The Abita Brewing Company invites you to experience the 2010 Abita Dinner Series. Each course of the meal is paired with an Abita Beer for the ultimate dining experience. Dine with Abita as New Orleans' favorite chefs bring Louisiana's favorite brews to the table.

Jacques-Imos
8324 Oak St
New Orleans

Call (504) 861.0886 to make reservations.
Mention Abita Beer Dinner: Seating is Limited

Beer-tails at 6:30pm
Seating at 7:00pm

$75 per person
All Inclusive (Beer, food, tax & gratuity)

The Menu
Each course is paired with an Abita Beer that complements the dish.

Chef's Hors d'oeuvres:
Ahi Cruzo with Three Salads
Ceviche Beer Shots
Crabmeat Ravigote with Artichoke Hearts
Alligator Sausage Cheesecake
Served with Abita Wheat

I Course:
Deep Fried Beer-Braised Short Ribs Po-Boy
Served with Abita Andygator

II Course:
Mussel Stew
Served with Jockamo IPA

III Course:
Jacques-Imos Seafood and Grits with Abita Beer-B-Q Glaze
Served with Abita Amber

IV Course:
Coconut Bread Pudding with Raspberries
Served with Abita Purple Haze

All of the Abita beer dinners I've attended have been a great time. If you go, please email me and let me know what you thought. Because I can't abide a post without at least one image, here is a shot I took a couple of years ago, at the Bridge Lounge (whose website appears to be borked at the moment).

Abita Mardi Gras Bock

The inaugrual Independent Champagne and Sparkling Wine Invitational will take place in New Orleans from Friday, April 16 to Sunday, April 18. There are a number of culinary events included in the proceedings, a list of which follows:

Winemaker’s Dinners at New Orleans Renowned Restaurants Friday, April 16th :

$150 per person (a la carte item) or included in package pricing.

* Bayona: “Club Trésors de Champagne" (The Special Club Champagne) Dinner
* Calcasieu by Cochon: “Italian Sparklings” Dinner
* Galatoire’s: “Rose Only” Dinner
* Gautreau’s: “Global Tour of the Top Ten Sparkling Wines” Dinner
* Herb Saint: “Blanc de Noir versus Blanc de Blanc” dinner
* Meson 923: Explore the Elegance of Cava hosted by Raventos, Spain’s most prestigious Cava house.

“Bubbles and The Bayou”- The Hotel Monteleone Sponsored by Ruinart Champagne. Hosted by New Orleans’ legendary Poppy Tooker and Chef Chuck Subra (Executive Chef of La Cote Brasserie & native of New Iberia, Louisiana), this evening will celebrate Louisiana locally grown cuisine paired with champagne.

Late Friday, April 16th Evening Event:

9pm-11:00pm: Bubbles and Blues on Bourbon Street (included in packages) Enjoy authentic New Orleans blues and jazz on Bourbon Street with hundreds of your closest new friends. This is taking place in the French Quarter, at the Astor Crowne Plaza Ballroom which overlooks the fabled Bourbon Street. Grab beads and a Mardi Gras mask, put on your dancing shoes, and lets party the night away with Champagne and Sparkling Wines.

Saturday, April 17th Evening:

6PM-9PM BUBBLY BLOCK PARTY ON RUE ROYALE - Champagne Cocktails Hosted by Albert Trummer, Apotheke New York City and Fred Dexheimer, MS and ICSWI Board Member with live music. (included in certain packages) The incredible city of New Orleans is rolling out the red carpet and closing down Royal Street for a grand street party for ICSWI! Royal Street, in the French Quarter, is a picturesque avenue with wonderful antique and jewelry shops and home to Cafe Du Monde's famous beingets. Various Sommeliers and Mixologists will create signature drinks for your enjoyment, vote for your favorite drink while you stroll, shop, and enjoy the music.

Grand Tasting Chefs (Friday & Saturday- the Convention Center) 1-4:30pm

1. Graffiti-NYC, Jehangir Mehta
2. La Cote Brasserie, Chef Chuck Subra: BBQ Shrimp with Mustard Green and Tasso Spoon Bread.
3. GW Fins, Chef Tenney Flynn:
4. Marriott New Orleans, Chef Mark Quitney: Lobster mac & Cheese and Crème Brule. (more to follow)

The ICSWI looks like it has a pretty stellar lineup, and it's always nice to have another first-class event of this nature in New Orleans. I'll be attending some of the functions; I hope to see you there. If I learn of any additions to the Grand Tastings, I'll try to update this post.

Creatures: Be reminded that La Côte Brasserie is hosting a beer dinner this evening featuring the food of chef Chuck Subra and the beers of Lazy Magnolia and Heiner Brau. There will be 5 courses, and the cost of $60 per person before tax and tip seems like a pretty good deal to me. I will be there in my capacity as a member of the Fourth Estate, but please do not let my lofty station intimidate you: say hello if you're there as well.

Congratulations to the folks from the New Orleans area who have received nominations for James Beard Foundation Awards. They include John Besh and Donald Link, who were nominated in the category of "cookbooks: American cooking" for My New Orleans and Real Cajun, respectively. My cousin and New Orleans native David Guas was nominated in the "baking and dessert" category for his excellent cookbook DamGoodSweet: Desserts to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth, New Orleans Style.

Sue Zemanick, of Gautreau's, was nominated as a "rising star chef," and Scott Boswell of Stella! and John Harris of Lilette were nominated for "best chef: South." Additionally, Leah Chase of Dooky Chase, and Susan Spicer of Bayona and the soon-to-open Mondo were inducted into the 2010 James Beard Foundation Who’s Who of Food & Beverage in America.

I intend to go into the nominees in a bit more depth in the upcoming edition of Haute Plates, which will arrive on your electronic doorstep tomorrow afternoon.

If this press release doesn't interest you, I'm not sure why you're reading my website. It looks to be a pretty fun gig, and I'm hoping to make it myself. Check it out:

New Orleans—Sunday, March 21st, 2010, the state’s most celebrated chefs will come together at Kingsley House for a fundraiser benefiting the James Beard Foundation. Chefs have teamed up with each other and local farmers and fishermen to create a menu that is a true testament to the quality ingredients native to Louisiana.

Oysters, strawberries, crabmeat, shrimp, sweet potatoes, French bread, Tabasco hot sauce, Cajun caviar and rice are just a few of the ingredients that will take main stage with chefs including Donald Link, John Besh, Darin Nesbit and Frank Brigtsen. Sure to be a delicious event, it will also be educational. Various purveyors will be on hand to teach guests about their industries, including Tabasco’s Master Cooper, Hamilton Polk, who will demonstrate barrel making; and Popcorn rice farmer, Jimmy Hoppe will illustrate the process of growing his crops.

Entertainment will include New Orleans musicians John “Papa” Gros of Papa Grows Funk and Alex McMurry. The event will include a silent auction of numerous food themed items and a live auction for an original painting of the event, created by the famed New Orleans artist Frenchy. There will also be a general store with items from the participating celebrity chefs with all proceeds to to Kingsley House.

The Chefs for Louisiana Cookery event is in part a celebration of the announcement for nominees of the 2010 James Beard Awards, which will occur in New Orleans on March 22, 2010. The James Beard awards are the culinary industry’s equivalent to the Oscars and are celebrated in May in New York City. Last year was the first time the award nominees were announced outside New York, and the chosen location was Chicago. Since 1986, the James Beard foundation has been on the forefront of America’s culinary revolution, and remains North America’s only historical culinary center. The 2006 Foundation Awards were a tribute to the culinary legacy of New Orleans, and proceeds raised from those ticket sales were donated to help rebuild small, classic New Orleans restaurants.

Chefs participating in this event have either cooked at the James Beard House in New York or have been recognized through their awards program. The majority of chefs are based in New Orleans, but other regions of the state will be represented, including Lafayette’s own Holly Goetting from Charley G’s Seafood. In addition to delicious Louisiana food, the event will feature live music and wine, beer and cocktails from Republic Beverage.

The event will run from 3-7pm at Kingsley House, 1600 Constance Street. Kingsley House, a United Way Community Impact Partner, nationally renowned as the oldest Settlement House in the South, has served more than half a million people since it was founded in 1896. Today, the organization helps more than 7,000 people annually throughout Southeast Louisiana in a wide variety of nationally accredited and state certified community building programs.

Tickets in advance are $100 for regular admission and $150 for VIP ($75 and $125 for members of the James Beard Foundation). Tickets are available through James Beard NOLA. More information can be found at Louisiancookery.com.

Participating Chefs and Restaurants:

Mark Quitney - 5 Fifty 5
Andrea Apuzzo - Andrea’s
Haley Bittermann - Bacco
Susan Spicer - Bayona
Darin Nesbit - Bourbon House/Palace Café & Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse
Frank Brigtsen - Brigtsen’s, Charles Seafood
Holly Goetting - Charley G’s Seafood
Tory McPhail - Commander’s Palace
Emmanuel Loubier - Dante’s Kitchen
David Slater/Chris Wilson - Emeril’s
Greg & Mary Sonnier - Gabrielle at the Uptowner
Brian Landry - Galatoire’s
Donald Link - Herbsaint/Cochon/Butcher
Jacques Leonardi - Jacque Imo’s
Chuck Subra - La Cote Brasserie
Michael Farrell - Le Meritage
Justin Devillier - Le Petite Grocery
Michelle McRaney - Mr. B’s Bistro
Matt Murphy - M Bistro
Kristen Essig - Nola Bean
Richard Hughes - Pelican Club
John Besh - Restaurant August
Adolfo Garcia - Rio Mar, La Boca & A Mano
Scott Boswell - Stella, Stanley
Tariq Hanna - Sucre

There you have it, children.

Another Tuesday, another press release. You know, of course, that I only share the good stuff with you kids, right? I think this qualifies. It's a wine dinner at MiLa, the restaurant at the Renaissance Pere Marquette hotel. I have edited the release slightly:

On Thursday, March 11, 2010, Co-Executive Chefs Allison Vines-Rushing and Slade Rushing,from MiLa, will be hosting a Wine Dinner with Pahlmeyer Vineyards and Winemaker, Erin Green. Dinner begins at 8:00pm and is $125 per person, which is all-inclusive (tax and gratuity included). Reservations are required and can be made by calling the restaurant, 504-412-2580.

Pahlmeyer Dinner Menu:

-I-
Vanilla Scented Scallop Tart, Herb Salad, Lime Vinaigrette
2007 Pahlmeyer Jayson Chardonnay

-II-
Butter Poached Chicken, Crawfish, Lobster Sauce, Potato Confit
2007 Pahlmeyer Chardonnay

-III-
Pan Roasted Striped Bass, Glazed Salsify, Red Wine Bacon Jus
2006 Pahlmeyer Pinot Noir

-IV-
Sweetbread Ravioli, Brunoise of Vegetable, Mushroom Broth
2005 Pahlmeyer Jayson Red

-V-
Cabbage Wrapped Duck Confit, Toasted Barley, Currant Sauce
2005 Pahlmeyer Merlot

-VI-
Cowgirl Creamery Red Hawk, Grilled Bread, Blackberry Jam
2005 Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red

I'm a fan of MiLa, and this looks like a pretty spectacular event. I have to admit that I'm not familiar with Pahlmeyer, but that's more a reflection on my ignorance where wine is concerned than the quality of the winery.

If you make it to the event, please let me know whether you enjoyed it? With some very rare exceptions (I'm looking at you, Sancho) I enjoy receiving emails from readers.

Hogs for the Cause is a charity fund raising event organized by Rene Louapre and Becker Hall to support research into Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, a tumor that grows in the brain stem and which is usually diagnosed in children. The impetus for the event is Ben Sarrat, Jr., who was diagnosed with the disease in 2008.

The event will take place on March 6, at the Audubon Fly, on the river in Uptown. From the website:

The Second Annual Hogs For The Cause is set for Saturday March 6, 2010. Due to the overwhelming support and concern for last year's recipient, Ben Sarrat Jr., we are going to continue to raise funds to combat pediatric brain cancer. With this year's funding, we plan to establish a Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Giloma (DIPG) Support Fund. These proceeds will be awarded to children with DIPG, DIPG Research, and other DIPG related causes. Please see our DIPG page to learn more about this very rare, debilitating disease.

So what's new this year? A lot! This year we will be instituting the State of Louisiana Pork Cookoff. This is a Louisiana State Sealed proclaimed event, signed by Governor Bobby Jindal. It's open to amateurs, seasoned chefs, cavemen, and anyone else who can basically incorporate pork and fire. Sign up for the event and earn your chance to take home Louisiana's porcine bragging rights and its highest honor, the High on the Hog Louisiana Pork Cookoff State Champion trophy and other prizes. Sign up on our Cookoff page and learn more about the event.

Bring the kids! Bring the dog! Finally, please click on our feedback/idea page and let us know what you would want to see at Hogs this year or any great ideas that you think may help. If that includes Rene in a pink Speedo with a painted on mustache, we can make that happen! We're going to try to raise $20,000 this year. Please spread the word and let's make it happen!

Pediatric cancer is devastating. It is the kind of thing that a lot of people ignore, because it's simply too painful to address directly. That's particularly true if you have kids. My son is the most important thing in the world to me, and I cannot imagine losing him. My heart goes out to the Sarrats, and I hope you will join me in donating to Hogs for the Cause this year.

I also hope that you will attend the event on the 6th. I'll be there, participating in the cookoff and generally misbehaving. If you do attend, please say hello. Although the cause is serious, it's a hell of a lot of fun. I cannot promise a scene like the one below this year, but odds are pretty good that if you like pork, beer, and good people, you'll enjoy Hogs for the Cause.

I received a press release recently regarding an event being held on March 14 by WYES, New Orleans' local PBS station. Global Gourmet Passport: Japan will take place at the Jefferson Orleans South, 2536 Edenborn Avenue, Metairie, from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. From the release (which I have edited slightly):

Join WYES as we kick off the first of a new event series, WYES GLOBAL GOURMET. The focus for this event will be a phenomenal combination of the culture and cuisine of Japan. If you enjoy sushi in the Big Easy and would love to learn more about the Japanese culture, join us as we absorb the nuances of this great land.

Welcoming experienced sushi eaters, as well as novice ones will be Carl Rosa, Executive Director of The Japan-America Society of Houston and founding member of the Sushi Club of Houston. Rosa will share his enthusiasm of Japan by presenting - ‘Japan - Sushi, Sake and Fascinating Facts’ and a brief sushi making demonstration. He continually travels to Japan for both organizations to bridge the cultural gap between the United States and Japan through means of education.

The Sushi Club of Houston will be donating sushi supplies, fish and premium bottles of Japanese sake from the region of Akita, Japan; Republic National Distributing Company will be providing sake, as well as lending their expertise. The Japan Club of New Orleans is spreading the word and New Orleans Bamboo will provide chop sticks and plates for all who attend. Little Tokyo and Aloha Sushi, a division of Sun Ray Grill Restaurants, will be providing food.

Tickets are $50 per person and include a vast array of sushi and sake sampling, as well as non-alcoholic beverages and lecture by Carl Rosa. To purchase tickets call (504) 486-5511 x 200. Questions? E-mail our event coordinator, Sharon Snowdy, at
ssnowdy@wyes.org

You have been advised.

Today is Mardi Gras, and the majority of New Orleans will be celebrating. Mardi Gras, or "Fat Tuesday," is the last day before the penitential 40 days of Lent. Starting tomorrow, many Catholic New Orleanians will give up meat and/or other pleasures of the flesh until Easter. Today, then, is a blow-out that winds up the celebration we started about two weeks ago.

Of course, this year the Saints won the Superbowl. The victory over the Colts has some folks calling this year's Carnival, "Lombardigras." Not me, because while the Saints' victory was incredible, it's no reason to change the name of a celebration we've held here for hundreds of years. "Lombardigras" was last Tuesday, when the City hosted what was likely the biggest parade we've ever held to Celebrate the victory.

But the Saints success has put an even bigger jolt into the community. Some of us have been in full celebration mode since the 'Bowl, and are now looking forward to a little rest. I'm not happy that I'm sick with some sort of stomach bug, but I suppose it could have come at a worse time. At least I'm not missing work today.

I am a member of Le Krewe d'Etat, which parades on the Friday before Mardi Gras. This year, as I have for the last several, I danced as a member of the Dictator's Dancin' Dawlins. I leave you with an image taken by my friend Norris Gagnet, early on the route. That's me, waving:

Dictator's Dancin' Dawlins

Happy Mardi Gras, y'all.

My friend Todd "The Boy Wonder" Price alerted me to a competition being put on by the Times-Picayune which, if you win, will net you tickets to Tales of the Cocktail. That's pretty sweet. The contest, called Drink Like a Saint, is better explained by the PR that Todd "Crunk" Price sent me:

This week, everything must be black and gold. That includes our drinks. Think you have what it takes to create a cocktail that’s a champion? Enter the Times-Picayune/Tales of the Cocktail “Drink like a Saint” competition. The winner walks away with a fistful of free passes to Tales of the Cocktail in July.

Celebrate the Saints with a black and gold themed drink.The rules are simple. Only amateur bartenders can enter. Each drink must celebrate the Saints. And, of course, it must taste great, or it wouldn't be worthy of our team.

To enter, send your name, the drink's name, the recipe and a brief explanation of the drink to NODrinks@TimesPicayune.com. The deadline for entries is noon on Sunday, January 31. The finalists will be printed in the paper on Thursday. The winner, as selected by our panel of distinguished drinkers, will be announced before the Superbowl on Sunday at www.nola.com/drink. Points will be awarded for taste, creativity and team spirit.

The creator of the best cocktail receives a Tales of the Cocktail “Native Spirits Package,” which includes two passes to the cocktail hour, the USBG Milagro Margarita cocktail competition, the Grand Marnier Barroom Brawl and the “One Night Stand” global cocktail tasting.

In the event of a tie, the winner will be decided by a coin toss.

There you have it, kids. Looks like a good opportunity to flex your mixologist muscles. If you have them, that is. I may apply, just in case my application for media credentials is rejected. Which, if the organizers of Tales have any sense, is likely. Todd "Goldilocks" Price will, I believe, appreciate your entries. That last sentence was simply an effort to shoehorn in another Todd "the Oklahoma Whitesnake" Price reference.

I could keep this up all day, you know. But I fear if I do, Todd "I Have Eleven Toes" Price will disapprove. So I will refrain.

Children: I have yet another bit of information which you may enjoy. It concerns an event at the Ogden, on January 13:

Cooking Up a Storm: “Gone with the Wind”

Does this classic movie correctly reflect the South?
Jessica Harris and William Dunlap to discuss and debate on Jan. 13

Jessica Harris, culinary historian and cookbook author, joins artist and raconteur William Dunlap to discuss the manners and foodways of the film “Gone with the Wind.” The duo will analyze selected scenes from the film and discuss some aspects of the culture of the Antebellum and Civil War-era South.

“ ‘Gone with the Wind’ is a film that formed the opinions of many about the South and the period,” says Jessica Harris. “It's always good to go back and debunk some myths and the film is a perfect vehicle.”

“ ‘Gone with the Wind’ has, for better or worse, entered the American consciousness as a definitive portrait of a particular place and time,” says William Dunlap. “It's been parsed and dissected as to myth, fashion, politics, manners, race and language. It's about time we got around to the palate and see how it relates to all of the above. So rally around Scarlett and Rhett and join our battle cry, ‘We’ll never be hungry again!’ ”

Stills from the movie (there will not be a screening) will be featured with Dunlap and Harris discussing each one. There will be a question and answer session after.

This is the inaugural event for a series of collaborations between Dillard University and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art.

What: Cooking Up a Storm: “Gone with the Wind” featuring Jessica Harris and William Dunlap

When: Wednesday, January 13, 2010; 6 p.m.

Where: Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 925 Camp St., New Orleans, La.

Admission: Free to museum members; $10 nonmembers