Queen Nefertari Exhibit at NOMA + FREE Cooking Demo, March 29

NEW ORLEANS (press release) –  Queen Nefertari, the royal wife of Pharaoh Ramesses II (reigned 1279–13 BCE), is linked to some of the most magnificent monuments of ancient Egypt. Ancient artifacts from her tomb will travel across land and sea to the New Orleans Museum of Art to be featured in the exhibition Queen Nefertari’s Egypt, on view from March 18 to July 17, 2022. In the museum’s restaurant, Café NOMAExecutive Chef Chris Montero is hosting Guest Chef, Egyptian-born, Dina Daniel, restaurateur and culinary director of Fava Pot in Washington, DC and Virginia for a cooking demonstration FREE to the public, “The Artful Palate,” on Tuesday, March 29, and a special Dinner on March 31.

The Artful Palate Series will feature guest chef cooking demonstrations of Egyptian dishes, with the initial presentation by Chef Dina Daniel on March 29, at 6 p,m. in Cafe Noma. Daniel will share how to prepare “Ta’ameya,” also known as Falafel – sharing an Egyptian recipe made with Fava Beans instead of the commonly used Chickpeas. Presentation and a tasting to follow are FREE to all.  

An “Evening with Nefertari” [Thursday, March 31at 6 p.m.] will showcase the culinary customs of Egypt with a private tour of the Queen Nefertari collection and dinner to follow. Chef Daniel will prepare a four-course dinner that honors the traditional dishes of her homeland. AppetizerGebna Masery & Aish Baladi[Spicy Feta Cheese & Egyptian Bread]; First CourseTa’amya, Warak Enab, and Lift [Falafel + Grape Leaves + Pickled Turnips]Second Course – Koshary [Lentils, Egyptian Rice, Pasta, and rich spicy Tomato Sauce, topped with Chickpeas and sweet Caramelized Onions]; Third Course – Tagen Bamya Bel Lahma Dani We Roz Bel Shereya [Tagen Okra and Lamb served alongside Egyptian Rice with Vermicelli,] and the Fourth Course – Kunafa bel Gebna [Sweet Cheese Kunafa.]   

At Café NOMA, Ralph Brennan and the team have taken their cues from the exhibition that honors skilled women and have collaborated with Chef Dina Daniel, who is inherently familiar with Egyptian cuisine. Dina Daniel is a Coptic Christian from Cairo, Egypt, who arrived in the United States in 2004 with a desire to share her culture through food. Chef Daniel has become a true treasure to the Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group team. She has worked closely with Chef Chris Montero to curate a special, authentic menu, unique to Café NOMA. “Her in-depth knowledge and guidance assisted Chef Montero in presenting dishes that pay tribute to her native country, taking diners on an epicurean journey through Egypt,” said Ralph Brennan

Egyptian-born Dina Daniel, restaurateur and culinary director of Fava Pot in Washington, DC and Virginia, curates a cuisine that honors the ethnicity of her homeland. Daniel focuses on sourcing high-quality ingredients and sustainable local produce to present healthy, Egyptian cuisine in a family-style atmosphere. 

Café NOMA | 1 Collins Diboll Cir, New Orleans, LA 70124 | @cafenoma

Attendance Details:  Free for Cafe Guests with seating on a first come first serve basis. Attendees who would like to also visit the museum galleries must purchase admission either in advance online or upon arrival. 

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