Cemeteries and Food

Two of my favorite features of New Orleans are the the food and the incredible cemeteries. Where else but New Orleans can you combine both? Where else would you want to combine both? As a matter of a fact, do you really want to combine them?

I'm not talking about a picnic at cemetery #1. I'm talking about the first Culinary Tour of Metairie Cemetery. This Sunday, August 5, members of the hospitality industry (hotels, restaurants, etc) are invited to take a 1 hour bus tour of Metairie Cemetery.

Tales of the Cocktail has partnered with Save Our Cemeteries to create a Culinary History Tour of Metairie Cemetery. The New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds to benefit hospitality industry members, produces Tales of the Cocktail annually.

“What an exciting and unique way to learn the success stories and inspirations behind New Orleans’ culinary stars like Ruth Fertel, Al Copeland, Angelo Brocato and Arnaud Casenave”, said Ann Rogers, founder of Tales of the Cocktail.

While the tour is closed to the public this Sunday, it will be open to anyone in October. On two Sundays, October 7 and 28, the tour will be available to all comers. The cost per person is $18. Your spot has to be reserved in advance and you can call 504-525-3377 to make a reservation.

A self-guided tour is also being developed by Joyce Cole, a fifth generation New Orleanian who is a licensed commercial tour guide and donates her time to Save Our Cemeteries to preserve the very institutions where she takes her tour guests.

Sounds like an awesome way to spend a Sunday morning. Click on these links to find out more about Tales of the Cocktail or Save our Cemeteries.


Since I am on a food track, have you ever wanted to learn how to cook cajun/creole food? How would you like to do so while enjoying some fine wine and some good company? How about at the House on Esplanade?

You can do so courtesy of Classic New Orleans Cuisine. At $150 per person, it's not cheap but it does seem like a good time to me. More for the food than anything else.

A few treats that you might experience: Andouille Calas, Crabmeat Thermidor, Crabmeat Ravigote, Baked Oysters Bienville, Oysters en Brochette, Crab Bisque, Chicken a la Bonne Femme, and many more items (not all at the same time though).

According to the information on the site, you can:

Learn to cook authentic New Orleans cuisine in focused, intimate classes. Whether you are a skilled cook or just an enthusiast, you will enjoy the camaraderie of our spirited groups and talented chefs. Following each class, you will savor your delicious creations, along with fine wines, in our residential dining room or our delightful garden.

The weekend is nearly here. What are your plans? Drop me a line and let me know if anything interesting is coming up and I'll make sure to pass the word along.

Thanks,

LewisC