The Historic New Orleans Collection's Winter Food Forum: Culinary Delights of Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras is not the only major event celebrated in South Louisiana each winter; the Vietnamese Lunar New Year celebration known as tết nguyên đánhas (or more simply tết) has long been part of the Crescent City’s cultural calendar. Both events are known for colorful, joyous celebrations and menus of celebratory foods. For the second installment of its “Celebrate the Seasons” Food Forum, The Historic New Orleans Collection has assembled experts on culinary delights of both Mardi Gras and Tet for a unique opportunity to discuss, learn and savor. In addition to king cake tastings and selections from Bahn Mi Boys, the program consists of three parts:

1. A discussion of king cakes with Matt Haines, author of “The Big Book of King Cakes” (Susan Schadt Press, 2021).

2. A screening of the hourlong documentary “Mary Queen of Vietnam” with filmmakers Glen Pitre and Bao Ngo. The 2021 work follows the community of a Catholic church in New Orleans East as it prepares for its annual Tet Festival.

3. A discussion of Vietnamese food with Denise Tran, New Orleans native and CEO of the international Vietnamese restaurant chain Bun Mee.

The in-person program will be limited and will follow several COVID-19 protocols. All participants must show proof of full vaccination or a negative PCR test from the previous 72-hours, and masks will be required for the duration of the event (except while eating and drinking). Admission starts at $15 per person, and registration is available online at hnoc.org/foodforum or by calling (504) 598-7146.