Brennan’s New Orleans Named an Inaugural Inductee in the Dole Banana Hall of Fame

NEW ORLEANS/CHARLOTTE, Nc (press release) – Dole Food Company has named Brennan’s New Orleans as one of three inaugural inductees in the Dole Banana Hall of Fame for its ongoing contributions to the lore, legacy and global appeal of the iconic yellow fruit. 

The beloved French Quarter restaurant is being honored for its creation of the world-famous Banana’s Foster dessert. The Dole Hall of Fame was established by the global produce leader earlier this year as part of the Dole 125th Banana-versary (dole.com/125), a year-long celebration of its 125 years in the banana business.

According to Brennan’s officials, the legendary flaming dessert synonymous with New Orleans and bananas dates back to 1951 when the Brennan family challenged their Chef de Cuisine Paul Blangé to create a signature dish using the beloved fruit for a special evening honoring family friend Richard Foster. The resulting tableside masterpiece has been Brennan’s most popular menu item ever since, filling the French Quarter restaurant, and much of Royal Street, with the smell of caramelized bananas, brown sugar, and butter.

Today, grandson Ralph Brennan proudly carries on the tradition, using more than 17 tons of bananas every year to satisfy hungry Crescent City locals and visitors alike.

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According to William Goldfield, Dole’s communications director, the Dole Hall of Fame was created to honor those culinary and cultural institutions like Brennan’s that have played a pivotal role in making the banana a universal symbol for simple nutrition, goodness, flavor and fun. “All of us at Dole are well aware that we could never have made it to our banana quasquicentennial – our 125th year of growing and marketing bananas – without the help of other banana ambassadors with a similar passion for the fruit,” he said. “This Hall of Fame is for them.”

The other two Dole Banana Hall of Fame being announced today are the City of Latrobe, Pa., birthplace of the Banana Split and home of the annual Great American Banana Split Festival; and Bobby Banana, the 7-foot banana mascot of Dole Food Company who has been making healthy eating and living fun for kids for close to 40 years.

“We are very proud of Bananas Foster, a deep tradition that has been a part of our family’s restaurant, Brennan’s New Orleans, for over 70 years. It is wonderful to see families – from children to adults – enjoying the theatrical creation, presented at the dining table, which never gets old,” said Ralph Brennan, third-generation proprietor of Brennan’s New Orleans. 

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Dole will announce additional Dole Banana Hall of Fame inductees throughout 2024. Banana lovers can nominate their own favorite banana icons – from people and places; to banana dishes, drinks and desserts; to bananas in film, TV, music and popular culture – by using the hashtag #DoleBananaVersary on any Dole social media page.

The Dole 125th Banana-versry continues throughout 2024 with in-store messaging, contests, partnerships, proclamations, recipes and appearances by Bobby Banana. A special highlight is “125 Ways to Be Bananas,” part of a web and social media series of banana hacks, tips and recipes, digital downloads, engagement opportunities and ways to share banana memories.

For continually refreshed and updated information on the Dole 125th Banana-versary, go to dole.com/125. Use hashtags #DoleBananaVersary, #DoleBananas125, #BananasForTheFuture, #BananaVersary and #Fresh4Future to join in on the conversation.

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For more information about Brennan’s, contact Simone Rathle at simone@simoneink.com. To make dining reservations, go to brennansneworleans.com

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