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New Orleans’ black-owned restaurants have faced an uphill battle the last couple years. The COVID-19 pandemic took customers and workers, but now we can all smell a comeback.
Or is that a new restaurant opening: Vaucresson Creole Café & Deli. The brand is actually a new concept from the Vaucresson Sausage Co., which has operated throughout three generations in the historic 7th Ward of New Orleans.
The eatery recently opened for business with the help of the Black Restaurant Accelerator (BRA), a joint initiative of the National Urban League and the PepsiCo Foundation.
The entities partnered to give black-owned restaurants a monetary boost in the arm. Part of that is represented by PepsiCo’s $400 million Racial Equality Journey commitments, the BRA has pledged a five-year, $10 million investment from the PepsiCo Foundation in partnership with the National Urban League to preserve and support Black-owned restaurants.
In addition to operating as a local deli, Vaucresson offers delivery around New Orleans as well as ships to anywhere in the US. You can order product to be shipped or delivered by visiting the website www.vaucressonsausage.com.
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Who doesn’t enjoy a good food fight? Well, a big one is headed to New Orleans this spring, courtesy of Top Taco, a New Orleans taco and cocktail events brand.
Food Fight is a food and cocktail competition that will take place at the Mandeville Shed & Ellipse Lawn at Crescent Park (2300 N. Peters St.) in the French Market District. The one-night-only event will feature over 40 restaurants and 30 spirits competing to see who can create the Top New Orleans dishes and cocktails.
When Is Top Taco’s Food Fight?
The Food Fight is set to take place from 6:00-10:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 26, 2022, on the New Orleans Riverfront.
How Much Do Tickets Cost?
General admission tickets are $75.00 for Food Fight. Early entry and First Tasting tickets are $95, with VIP tickets $125. Once inside the festival, all food and drinks are included. Information on ticket purchases is available at www.foodfightnola.com.
What Restaurants Are Participating In Food Fight?
The following restaurants will be on hand for Food Fight:
Emeril’s, Meril’s, Saint John, Otra Vez, Misa, Josephine Estelle, Boucherie, Johnny Sanchez and Silk Road. Spirits competitors include Maker’s Mark, Woodford Reserve, Jack Daniel’s, Ford’s Gin, Skrewball Whiskey, Jagermeister, Who Dat Spirits, Jameson’s, Fistful of Bourbon, Bayou Rum, Casamigo’s and El Buho Mezcal.
Final Word
Food Fight will benefit the PLEASE Foundation, a nonprofit that provides mentorship, leadership training and scholarships for at-risk teens to attend local college-preparatory high schools in the New Orleans area. This is an over 21-year-old event.
Find out what’s cookin’ in New Orleans by checking out our Food & Drink section.
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A well-known New Orleans chef is in the proverbial kitchen working up something good: a new restaurant. Michael Gulotta is planning to helm a new Italian restaurant in Old Metairie.
The news comes from the Times-Picayune, which sat down with Gulotta recently.
Gulotta’s new eatery is called TANA and will feature posh Italian cuisine. New Orleans foodies may know Gulotta from the delectable fare at MayPop, but he’s been around.
After graduating from the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute, Gulotta went on to open MOPHO, which now has two locations in the greater New Orleans area.
When Will TANA Open?
According to the newspaper, TANA will open sometime close to the beginning of 2023. The eatery is located at 2929 Metairie Road.
“This will be the Italian restaurant I’ve always wanted,” Gulotta was quoted as saying. It’s also the Italian we’ve been wanting as well.
If you don’t want to wait for TANA, you may be curious about some other places you can get authentic Italian fare in New Orleans.
New Orleans’ food and drink scene continues to grow with no stops on the horizon. Ready to try something new?
Looking for more places to eat in Nola? Here Are Some Top Desserts To Order In New Orleans.
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culture / mood / music / photography / travel2 Min Read
The Nola Caribbean Experience is coming back to New Orleans this fall. The festive event is again expecting throngs of people throughout the 12-day event.
If you’ve never been to carnival in Brazil, this is the closest to that experience in the Southeast. And with a little New Orleans flavor, you’ll love it even more.
Everything You Need To Know About The Nola Caribbean Experience: 2022
As always, you can expect a party atmosphere, delicious food, great entertainment and live music. It’s also one of New Orleans’ top festivals.
When Is The Nola Caribbean 2022 Taking Place?
This year’s Nola Caribbean Experience is set to take place October12-23, 2022. This year, the event will feature Kevin Hart, Nikki Minaj and more.
As is the tradition, there will be a carnival parade among the festivities. In fact, the NOLA Caribbean Experience consists of 21 official events, including brass bands, and Mardi Gras Indians.
Final Word
New Orleans is one of the most fun places to visit in the warmer months. Truthfully, there’s always something to do and someplace to go.
New Orleans is not only a world-class city, but a cultural centerpiece of the Southeast, from restaurants to its parks, the city stands out as a place to visit and live.
Looking for something to do in the city? What To See And Do In New Orleans
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After a two-year hiatus, the Crescent City Classic is back in New Orleans this year. The event promises to be a fun time for walkers and runners alike.
What Is The Crescent City Classic?
The Crescent City Classic is a 10k road race that is a New Orleans tradition. The race is typically held annually on the Saturday before Easter Sunday.
Produced by The Crescent City Fitness Foundation, the event beckons athletes from all over the Southeast, but especially those who live in the local area.
How To Register
To register for the Crescent City Classic, click here. Entry fees range from $45 to $60.
Aside from a family-oriented race, there are a lot of things happening around the city.
If you really want to take things to the next level, you can go out to one of New Orleans’ notable dining spots.
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Comedian Chris Rock is embarking on a world tour for the first time in five years. His Ego Death tour has some key dates in big American cities, including New Orleans.
Rock has been to New Orleans many times over the years, but never with such interest. Sales of his Ego Death tour have skyrocketed since the incident at the Oscars.
When Will Chris Rock Perform In New Orleans?
Chris Rock is slated to perform in New Orleans on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at the Saenger Theatre. The shows starts at 8 p.m.
Who knows? If interest continues to climb, Rock may add another show here in New Orleans.
How To Get Tickets To See Chris Rock In New Orleans
To get tickets to see Chris Rock in New Orleans, you can buy them on the Fox Theatre’s website. The prices are $49.50 per ticket as of this writing.
Final Word
Rock has established himself as a bankable movie star in addition to a top-notch standup comedian. His hit TV show Everybody Hates Chris, which hilariously chronicled his childhood, ran four four seasons on The CW Network.
New Orleans has steadily built up a flow of TV and movie productions over the years. If you want to be an actor, the city has classes you can take as well as places that provide headshots and more. You can also audition at numerous casting calls to build your movie and TV reel.
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Do you like donuts? The Underground Donut Tour is coming to the Big Easy. For the past seven years, the tour has been launching in cities in the Northeast and Midwest, like Chicago, Philadelphia and Boston. Now it’s time for New Orleans to get the sweets treatment!
Underground Donut Tours Launching in New Orleans
The Underground Donut Tours have attracted millions of people throughout the years to the best donut shops in the respective cities.
Attendees get to learn about the history of the business as well as taste the goodness of their donuts. Unlike the other cities, donut tours in New Orleans will include beignet shops as well.
“New Orleans is home to some of the best food, culture, nightlife, beignets, and donuts in the country. How could we not add it to our roster? Our team visited New Orleans just prior to COVID-19 and we were planning on opening this location in 2020, but those plans got postponed with everything going on. Thankfully, it looks like things are opening back up and we’re ready to welcome both locals and tourists alike to come and join us for a donut and beignet celebration!” said Jeff Woelker, founder of the Underground Donut Tour.
What Local Shops Will Participate?
Underground Donut Tours is undeground for a reason! Some shops are kept hidden until the day of the event.
Some of the locations include District Donuts and The Vintage with two other secret locations you’ll only learn about on the tour.
“I can’t wait to share the history of Magazine Street and the Garden District along with meeting many amazing guests. And how can I forget eating some fantastic donuts and beignets along the way?” said Jenn Johnson, tour manager for the Underground Donut Tour New Orleans.
When Do Tours Operate?
The Underground Donut Tours will start on Friday, April 15, 2022, and run year-round. Tours run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9-11 a.m. and 10 am. to 12 noon. In the near future, more days and times will be added.
How To Get Tickets To New Orleans Underground Donut Tours
Tickets are $40 for adults and $25 for kids 10 and under. Tickets can be booked at ndergrounddonuttour.com.
Tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis, so don’t miss out.
Looking for something to do in the city? What To See And Do In New Orleans
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Actor Anthony Mackie is giving back to his hometown in a big way.
The Marvel Studios actor recently purchased some land in New Orleans and reportedly has big plans for it.Actor Anthony Mackie Plans Movie Studio In New Orleans
The New Orleans-born actor is the proud new owner of 20 acres in New Orleans East, where he plans to start a movie studio.According to news reports, the actor told media outlets through his agent that any plans for the property were premature. Mackie’s production company is reportedly called East Studios LLC, at the location.
According to the New Orleans Advocate, the acreage is located on the I-10 Service Road at Read Boulevard, near the Little Woods neighborhood, according to land records.
Mackie has had an intimate look at the Marvel machine, having starred in several Captain America and Avengers titles for the comic book behemoths.
It remains to be seen what Mackie will ultimately do with the property.
Final Word
New Orleans has a very successful film industry that routinely snags big-budget films thanks to a generous state tax break the productions receive.More NolaFi.com Articles:
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A handful of New Orleans-area chefs and restaurants have made the cut as 2022 James Beard Award finalists, the group announced this week.
Whittled from an exhaustive list, the local finalists have a chance to take home the top prize and cement New Orleans’ place on the map as a bona fide cultural mecca with top-notch restaurants with diverse cuisine.
When Will The James Beard Awards Be Announced?
The winners will be celebrated at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on Monday, June 13, 2022, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
And The New Orleans James Beard Award Finalists Are…
Atlanta’s are among the top eateries up for Outstanding Wine Program.
Outstanding Restaurant
Brennan’s, New Orleans
Emerging Chef
Serigne Mbaye, Dakar Nola, New Orleans
Best Chef: South
- Blake Aguillard and Trey Smith, Saint-Germain, New Orleans
- Melissa M. Martin, Mosquito Supper Club, New Orleans
- Isaac Toups, Toups’ Meatery, New Orleans
Here Is The Complete 2022 List Of James Beard Award Finalists
From the Best Chefs to the top bar programs, the James Beard Awards exemplify the utmost of America’s food culture, which New Orleans plays a big part in.
Here is the complete list of James Beard Award nominees for 2022.
Final Word
The James Beard Foundation is a nonprofit organization that celebrates and supports culinary excellence of America’s chefs and food businesses.
If your favorite New Orleans chef or restaurant didn’t’ make the list, make it your business to support them sometime soon.
New Orleans’ food and drink scene continues to grow with no stops on the horizon. Ready to try something new?
Looking for more places to eat in Nola? Here Are Some Top Desserts To Order In New Orleans.
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The City of New Orleans has announced that it has lifted the indoor mask mandate which went into effect two years ago. The city says that you do not have to wear a mask indoors at public facilities. The mandate went into effect Thursday, March 3, 2022.
In 2020, the mask mandate became necessary due to the rapid case increase of New Orleans residents infected with the Omicron variant in the city.
Do I Have To Wear A Mask In New Orleans?
You do not have to wear a mask in New Orleans, however, there are exceptions: Children ages 2 and older on public transportation, and in healthcare facilities and long-term care settings must continue to wear a mask.
What Was New Orleans’ Mask Mandate?
The New Orleans mask mandate said that people who attended indoor or outdoor events of more than 500 individuals were strongly recommended to wear masks, according to the city. The masks were to be worn through the duration of the event. The only exception was when someone is actively eating or drinking.
The mask mandate was a part of the New Orleans COVID restrictions instituted by the Mayor’s Office.
The city remains in a modified Phase 3 protocol, which means the reinstatement of the indoor mask mandate as well as proof of vaccine or negative test required for some activities.
CDC’s independent advisory committee, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, continue to meet about the use of COVID-19 vaccines.
You can expect further recommendations on the use of boosters for the public.
Final Word
New Orleans health officials say that proof of vaccination or negative tests will be required at all indoor social gatherings at establishments like restaurants and bar.
According to the CDC,, the fight against COVID-19 continues. Here is where to get a booster shot in New Orleans.
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