From Ain’ts to Saints- the Soul of New Orleans
A couple of nights ago, I posted a question of my Facebook page asking what people were planning to serve on Super Bowl Sunday. I got a response back from a friend saying, “This is going to come as a shock…but I have never seen a football game. Not in person. Not on television. My husband doesn't watch football. I bet he doesn't know the teams who are playing. I know- un-American.” Many probably do think it is un-American, no doubt, but a shock? Not exactly. I myself have always said Super Bowl is the perfect day to go out to a restaurant (they’re empty and quiet), and have never known before what teams are playing. But this year’s Super Bowl is about way more than football. The Saint’s have become the symbol and metaphor for the city of New Orleans, and its journey to recovery. Although the Super Bowl has been held many times in New Orleans, the Saints have never played in the Bowl. Now, this team made up of rejects, and often referred to in the past as the Aint’s, whose fans could be seen wearing paper bags over their heads at games, will be competing for the NFL championship. They have are now being referred to as “The Soul of New Orleans.” Wright Thompson of ESPN.com writes “They are a motley group, undrafted guys and late-round fliers, players cast off from other teams. (Drew) Brees landed in town after an injury convinced the Chargers that his best days were behind him. ‘When we came here,’ he has said, ‘I was in the process of rebuilding, as well.’” Fr. Tony Ricard of Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, says as he finishes saying Mass in a Saints jersey, “the Saints have lifted the spirits of the whole city.” Even President Obama has cautiously weighed in saying, "You know, I think both teams are terrific. I guess I am rooting a little bit for the Saints as the underdog, partly just because when I think about what's happened in New Orleans over the last several years and how much that team means to them. You know, I'm pretty sympathetic." It’s an understatement to say the city is overflowing with civic pride, and all of us expatriates here in Los Angeles, will be glued to our television sets, as well. So next Sunday, my brothers, my uncle, my cousins and yes, even I, who has barely seen a football game in my life, will gather to celebrate my mother’s (a NOLA expatriate of over 50 years) birthday and to cheer on the Saints. We’ll be eating jambalaya, shrimp po’boys, potato salad, and red beans and rice- thanking God for Mother, and cheering on our Saints. So, I have two things to say- 1) don't rain on our parade, and 2) what will you be serving? Click on this link to hear Wright Thompson talk about "The Soul of New Orleans"...
read moreThe Caterer’s Job- It’s About More than Just the Food
The caterer’s job is to fulfill their clients’ desires-giving my clients what they want.
read moreCatering to All the Special Moments in Life
I received this touching e-mail last week which I want to share with you now. "I'm writing today, as you've done such a wonderful job catering for our family during both happy and difficult times in the past, and sadly I fear we are facing a sad upcoming occasion. My dear mother, who has been gravely ill for several weeks, today entered palliative hospice care. My sister and I cannot imagine anyone but you and your company feeding our friends and family at such time as we will remember and celebrate her life. Understandably we do not have a timetable, it may be days, or longer… but in advance wanted to know if you would be able to help us when the time comes? With thanks as always." She wrote again 3 days later to say that her mother had passed away peacefully with her family by her side. I first catered a event for Lyla when she and her husband celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. A couple of years after that it was her husband's 75th birthday, and finally three years ago, her husband's memorial service. Her daughter was right on, I have had the honor to be there at both "happy and difficult times" in their lives. I talked to Lyla's daughter a couple of times during the week. She shared thoughts and memories, and even struggles of her family. I was honored she felt so free to speak openly with me. As business owners we hear over and over again, it's about the value you offer to others. While, as a caterer, I always place a very high value on the quality of food I serve, and how it's displayed, my mission is really to create memorable celebrations for all the special moments in my clients lives. And very often, the mission goes way beyond the food we provide. Lyla's memorial was indeed, a celebration, and I have grown with her family as they move through their milestone moments. I feel privileged to have done...
read moreHaiti and New Orleans
I listened with empathy and a measure of recognition today, to newscasts interviewing Haitian expats in the U.S. Their voices tremble as they speak of anxiously awaiting news of the fate of their loved ones, and recounting a night of little or no sleep. Haiti and New Orleans have historic connections. Their people share a past of brutal plantation culture, slavery and a racial caste system under French colonists in the 17th and 18th century. The present day country of Haiti was formed in 1801, after an extremely bloody period of slave rebellion on the island of Saint Domingue in the 1790’s. The island was split into two countries (the other being Santo Domingo, or the modern day Dominican Republic), and many post-rebellion refugees from Saint Domingue eventually found a home in New Orleans. Ned Sublette, author of The World That Made New Orleans: From Spanish Silver to Congo Square writes “The southern United States was in a panic. The slaves of Saint-Domingue had risen up and killed slavery itself.” He further states that “Haiti was central to every major event in the hemisphere at the time, and most especially to the Louisiana Purchase. Slavery continued for in the southern United States for another 70 years…but the Haitian revolution was the turning point.” He also connects the slave rebellion with the French Revolution as a fundamental event in shaping the modern world. So perhaps, in some way, we all owe a debt to Haiti. New Orleans is often referred to as a Caribbean city, and many of its distinctive rhythms (along with the voodoo culture) arrived there directly from the islands of Saint Domingue and Cuba. It traded with the newly established nation of Haiti, long before the government of the United States recognized it as a nation. Unfortunately, the nation of Haiti has not fared well, suffering dictatorial governments, bruising poverty, and I might add, little or no help- and sometimes harm- from its huge northern neighbor. And the news of today’s earthquake is heart wrenching. As I said, I can empathize having seen my beloved city of New Orleans face an unprecedented disaster, and yet this is oh so much worse. I hope that if you have stuck with me this far, you will do whatever you can to help the citizens of Haiti now. I’ve listed below a few organizations that are on the front lines helping. Doctors without Borders Habitat for Humanity Oxfam The Clinton Foundation Yele Haiti Also, you may text "Yele" to 501501 and $5 will be charged to your phone bill and given to relief projects through the...
read moreKing’s Day, King Cakes and the Beginning of Carnival Season
King’s day- the Feast of the Epiphany- marks the beginning of Carnival season when King Cakes grace every table in New Orleans.
read moreFried Shrimp and Oyster Po’Boys
Po’boys are to NOLA as tacos are to L.A. Putting all sorts of things between the slices of French bread has been a way of life for a long time in NOLA- hot sausage, fried shrimp, oysters, catfish and soft shell crabs.
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