In New Orleans, it's often been said that people don't eat to live; they live to eat. Famous for its culinary delights and the pride it takes in its diverse cooking heritage, this is a city of food and a city for food lovers. So, it makes perfect sense that New Orleanians, known for living in and savoring the moment, would glean such a multitude of delicious recipes enjoyed at thousands of dinner tables each night. In addition to dishes from today's best chefs, Wohl has added classic restaurants and establishments no longer with us. The inclusion of these establishments demonstrates how influential they have been and how favorite recipes continue to permeate today's menus, not only in New Orleans, but throughout the country. This gorgeously photographed book celebrates the city's renowned seafood and shares how to make these great recipes. The 45 recipes compiled feature signature dishes, accompanied by history, stories, and photographs to make cooking New Orleans-style just what dining New Orleans-style has always been-an unforgettable, unmatchable experience.
Kit Wohl is an award-winning writer, photographer, and artist. A lifelong food and wine enthusiast, she met James Beard and Robert Lawrence Balzer in 1979, encounters that helped set her on a culinary path. Since 2005, she has authored eight cookbooks that celebrate cuisine and her native New Orleans. Wohl has worked with chefs, restaurants, and hotels across the United States as CEO and creative director of Wohl & Company.
Katrina convinced her to do what she loves. More books are on the back burner. What they are, well, that could be a mystery.
Coming March 7 and may be pre-ordered now on Amazon is The James Beard Foundation's Best of the Best: A 25th Anniversary Celebration of America's Outstanding Chefs, by Kit Wohl, Foreword by Martha Stewart. What an adventure.
Also coming this spring is fifth in her Classic series, New Orleans Classic Brunches with a special French Quarter Festival edition (It's in April, plan a trip!) She created the concept, marketing strategy, designed, authored and photographed the Classic cookbook series, each 96-pages with 50 recipes. "New Orleans Classic Desserts," 2007 led to Classic Appetizers, and Classic Seafood quickly following in 2008. Classic Gumbos & Soups, 2009 was named Gourmet magazine's Cookbook of the Month. The concept and design has been exported to 12 other cities.She is especially proud of author Erin Hicks Miller's work, Houston Classics, and author Grace Bauer's beloved Los Angeles.
"A close friend and I visited a publisher in New York City to toss around ideas, perhaps 20 years ago. Small luscious books, beautifully photographed were the conclusion. Life got in the way.
The late Archie A. Casbarian, to whom New Orleans Classic Brunches is dedicated, asked that I write my first book, the Arnaud's Restaurant Cookbook, celebrating his grande dame of French Quarter restaurants. A friend, gentleman and restaurateur, he had no idea what furies he'd released. In retrospect, he did know me well. The success of Arnaud's book with Katrina's push sent me back to the Classic series concept, and Pelican Publishing embraced the notion. Friends, both authors and photographers, freely passed along their knowledge and encouragement.
The Sunsari family then invited me to write and photograph The P&J Oyster Cookbook, awarded Cookbook of the Year. Who could ever have enough of these succulent bi-values?
Another nascent idea created the new James Beard Foundation's Best of the Best: A 25th Anniversary Celebration of America's Outstanding Chefs. It was lucky number seven.
Now, number eight-New Orleans Classic Brunches, with a special French Quarter Festival edition.
Chef Leah Chase says, at 89, "And I still cook." Leah, I'm still writing. Archie, thank you for watching over me.
